Copy music, photos and files to your iPhone with Finder

Why it happens

The Mac no longer has iTunes, and iPhone syncing moved into Finder. Once you plug in your iPhone and trust the Mac, it shows in the Finder sidebar under Locations. From there you choose what to copy across.

How to fix it

1. Connect the iPhone with a cable and unlock your iPhone. If it asks whether to trust this computer, tap Trust and type your passcode.

2. Open a Finder window and click your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations.

   Finder›Locations›iPhone

3. Click a type in the row near the top, such as Music, Photos or Books. Tick the Sync box at the top of that tab, then choose everything or just the items you want.

4. Click Apply and keep the cable in until the sync finishes.

5. To copy documents, click Files and drag them onto an app in the list. Only apps that can swap files with your Mac appear there.

Still not fixed?

1. iPhone missing from the sidebar? In Finder, choose Finder > Settings…, click Sidebar and tick CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices.

   Finder›Settings…›Sidebar›CDs, DVDs, and iOS Devices

2. Can't tick Sync for Music or Photos? If Sync Library or iCloud Photos is on, those already reach your iPhone through iCloud, so cable syncing for them is switched off.

3. Try another cable and another port. Some cheap cables only charge and can't carry data.

4. To sync without a cable next time, tick Show this iPhone when on Wi-Fi in the General tab while it's connected.

5. If the iPhone charges but never shows in Finder with several cables, restart both. If it still doesn't appear, contact Apple Support, because the iPhone's port may need a repair.