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How to Tell if Your Phone Can Connect to Your Computer

This article shows how to check if your phone is properly connected to your Mac or PC.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

This article explains how to confirm whether your computer recognizes your phone when it's plugged in. If the phone isn’t connecting, it may be due to a faulty cable, a blocked port, antivirus software interference, or system permissions. The steps below help you rule out common connection issues before starting an extraction.


On a PC (Windows)

Your phone should appear in File Explorer when connected.

  1. Plug your phone into your computer using a USB cable.

  2. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar (usually at the bottom of your screen).
    – If you don’t see it, click the Start button and type “File Explorer,” then press Enter.

  3. In File Explorer, look for your phone listed in the left-hand sidebar under This PC or as a device name (like “iPhone” or “Galaxy”).

  4. If you see your phone listed, it’s successfully connected.

If you don’t see your phone:

  • Try a different USB port on your computer

  • Use a different cable

  • Restart your phone and computer

  • Temporarily disable antivirus software, if applicable


On a Mac

Your phone should appear in Finder when connected.

  1. Plug your phone into your Mac using a USB cable.

  2. Open Finder by clicking the blue-and-white smiley face icon in your dock (usually at the bottom of the screen).
    – If you don't see it, press Command + Space, type “Finder,” and press Return.

  3. In Finder, look for your phone listed in the left-hand sidebar under Locations.

  4. If your phone appears there, it’s connected properly.

If it doesn’t show up:

  • Try a different USB port or cable

  • Unlock your phone and tap Trust This Computer if prompted

  • Restart your Mac and phone

  • Check System Settings > General > Login Items to see if any security software is interfering


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