ITunes won't recognize my iPhone 4, wants me to restore to factory settings?

I'm running iTunes 10.4 with an iPhone 4 OS 4.2.1. I tried to sync my iPhone but got this message:
"iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone. Go to the Summary tab and click Restore to restore to factory settings."
This is not a jailbroken phone, or anything like that, so I have no idea what's happened or how I can fix it. Or even how I can back up my phone at all.
I've also tried on three different computers, with the newest and an older version of iTunes (10.3), but I keep getting this same message.
What can I do?

Nope.  You obviously didn't read (or didn't remember) the User Guide.  I will include a link for you.  If you use the iPhone as Apple recommends (so that you do NOT experience data loss), frequent backups are advised, as are synching contacts/calendars with an appropriate cloud service or computer-based contact manager like Outlook.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

Similar Messages

  • My itunes won't recognize my iphone and i don't know how to install the 10.6.3 itunes on my phone or whatever. helppppp.

    my itunes won't recognize my iphone and i don't know how to install the 10.6.3 itunes on my phone or whatever. helppppp.

    its looking for you to update on your computer. if your on a windows your want to open up itunes. click on help, and then click check for updates and then that should let you up date it. mac you want to click on itunes up by file and edit then click check for updates

  • 2 things: iPhoto isn't automatically copying all my imported photos into an iPhoto album folder AND ever since i upgraded my MacBook 120GB to Snow Leopard, iTunes won't recognize my iPhone.

    So i have a 120GB MacBook that's about 4 years old (just updated to Snow Leopard--been working in Iraq, i'm a little behind).
    Never had a problem with it.
    I also have an iPhone 4 which i've had for about a year (up-to-date software as of about a month ago).
    Never had a problem with it.
    I've had iTunes for years of course (up-to-date).
    Never had a problem.
    1.
    Now my iTunes won't recognize my iPhone since the Snow Leopard update.
    iPhoto will recognize my phone, but iTunes won't.
    Went through all the preferrences and i can't find anything that isn't set properly.
    iTunes Helper is used during startup.
    Everything seems fine.
    Any help?
    2.
    I use a WD external hard drive to back my Mac up every week or so.
    I recently realized that half of my pictures from iPhoto are not copied to the external.
    They haven't been transfering over.
    So i snooped through my folders and as it turns out, iPhoto hasn't been copying the pictures i import from my iPhone to iPhoto and saving them as .jpg files in the pictures folder (or iPhoto album or whatever) like i think it's supposed to.
    My pictures folder has approx half of all my pictures in it, meaning at some point (probably 2 years ago) iPhoto stopped making the file copies of my imported pictures.
    I do not know why.
    No idea how to fix it.
    If i were able to fix that (with your help), would all the pictures that haven't been copied automatically copy to my pictures folder once i had the issue resolved or would there be a lot of dragging and dropping?
    I've been clumsily and sloppily copying all my pictures to a new folder on my desktop and manually transferring that folder to a thumb drive (which i keep in my pocket) and my external (just so i have them in some form) in case my computer crashes or a mortar shell lands on my room and blows my computer up.
    Can anyone please help me with any of this?
    I can't just stoll down to the Apple store to ask the Genius Bar (I'm in Baghdad) and i don't have Apple Care so no one will help me on the phone when i call Apple.
    Thanks so much.

    hey mill1640,
    Did you ever get your iPhone to register with iTunes? I just upgraded as well to Snow Leopard, and my my isn't recognized at all also.
    If you did get this resolved, I would appreciate a little suggestion in the right direction.
    Many thanks,
    Josh

  • Just upgraded macbook to Snow Leopard, and now itunes won't recognize my iphone.  I tried turning all off, and on.  I have the newest version of itunes.  Will I have to reset my iphone (and also ipod touch?), and if so, does it mean I lose anything?

    I just upgraded macbook to SnowLeopard 10.6.3 and now itunes won't recognize my iphone.  I tried turning everything off and restarting.  I have the latest version of itunes.  If I have to reset the phone (and ipod touch), what does that mean?  Will I lose anything? How long will it take?  thanks

    Start iTunes.  Make sure you really are running the version you think you are.  Sometimes people end up with two copies, different versions.
    Mac OS X v10.6: iOS device not recognized in iTunes after restart - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3540
    iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1591
    Troubleshooting iTunes installation on Mac OS X - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2311  - read section on Opening iTunes for information about running multiple copies of iTunes.
    You say you are running Snow Leopard 10.6.3.  That version will not run the latest iTunes which requires 10.6.8  If you need iTunes 10.7 you have to be running 10.6.8
    Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v.1.1 - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
    Message was edited by: Limnos

  • I had to reformat my computer and now itunes won't recognize my iphone. How can I fix this?

    I had to reformat my computer and now itunes won't recognize my iphone. How can I fix this?

    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X
    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

  • HT1338 i upgraded from leopard to snow leopard ( i know i am really behind) but now iTunes won't recognize my iPhone. and the updates keep crashing when they are trying to install...help!

    I upgraded from leopard to snow leopard. now iTunes won't recognize my iphone, and the upgrading the software keeps crashing.. help!!

    Mountain Lion is OS X 10.8
    10.6 was called Snow Leopard.
    To use iTunes 10.7 the following is required:
    Macintosh System Requirements
    Mac computer with an Intel Core processor and 512MB of RAM
    OS X version 10.6.8 or later
    Safari 4.0.3 or later
    400MB of available disk space
    Broadband Internet connection to use the iTunes Store
    Do you use iTunes Match?
    That way all of your songs would be matched with the master song on the iTunes servers independently of iTunes on your Mac or PC...
    Look here for further information: http://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/

  • Just updated my iPhone.  iTunes won't recognize my iPhone. I get "internal device" problem.

    Just updated my iPhone.  iTunes won't recognize my iPhone. I get "internal device" problem. Help!

    Haven't heard back from them. Took it the adapter to the Apple Store with one of the mics and the Blue Shirts said it was the proper adapter.

  • My iTunes won't recognize my iPhone 6 when I plug it up

    My iTunes won't recognize my iPhone 6 when I plug it up. I reset my phone and its still not recognizing my phone. Is there another way I can put the music from my library on my phone? How can I fix this?

    Did the iTunes ever recognize the iPhone 6 before?

  • I just installed snow leopard and now my itunes won't recognize my iphone. how do i fix this?

    I just installed snow leopard and now my itunes won't recognize my iphone. how do i fix this?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1591
    You may have to remove & reinstall the AMDS, as described in that support article.

  • Itunes won't recognize my IPhone, it still charges when plugged in though. Help?

    Itunes won't recognize my IPhone, it still charges when plugged in though. Help?

    Hello Lana
    If the iPhone is not recognized in iTunes, the following articles will be of assistance depending on what operating system your computer runs.
    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1591
    iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
    Regards,
    -Norm G.

  • ITunes won't recognize my iPhone 3s and iPad2 on my iMac

    ITunes won't recognize my iPhone 3gs and iPad2 on my iMac 11,1 osx 10.6.8.  I've restarted all devices and made sure my iTunes is up to date.  I often have this problem, but it worked the other day when I updated my iOS.

    Device not recognized
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538

  • ITunes won't recognize my iPhone 5

    iTunes won't recognize my iPhone 5. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes and restoring my iPhone but nothing seems to work. I need help please!!

    Please follow these steps:
    1. Check if you have installed the latest version of iTunes. ( Go to help-->About, the latest version is 11.1.5 ).
    2. If you have the latest version, make sure the USB drivers for the USB ports are installed ( For Windows Systems  ).
    3. Make sure that the USB port is not damaged (  By trying any other USB device  ).
    4. If didn't work, try other iPhone 5 cable.

  • My iphone 4 is not recognized by itunes when i connect to it, wants me to restore to factory settings. after i agree , an alert with error 9 stopped the sync. the phone wont start

    my iphone 4 is not recognized by itunes when i connect to it and tells me that the phone is in recovery mode, wants me to restore to factory settings. after i agree , an alert with error 9 stopped the sync. the phone wont start

    Thanks for the response. There is no cloud icon next to them. All of the songs play on the phone still and no song was purchased through iTunes. I added them manually and tried to remove them manually. According to my iTunes they've been removed but they are still on my phone and working.

  • My iphone 4 is not recognized by itunes when i connect it, wants me to restore to factory settings

    my iphone 4 is not recognized by itunes when i connect to it, wants me to restore to factory settings. do i have to or is there a better way to fix it?

    Howdy AndieKanaras,
    It sounds like your iPhone is being recognized everywhere but in iTunes. I would use the troubleshooting for that issue in the following article, named:
    If you don't see your connected device in iTunes for Mac
    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
    All the very best,
    Sterling

  • My iTunes won't detect my iPhone that has to be restored via iTunes *because if pass code problems* and its running iOS 7.2

    my iTunes won't detect my iPhone that has to be restored via iTunes *because if pass code problems* and its running iOS 7.0.4

    If itunes is comming up and saying it can't read the device because it's locked with a passcode, you may have to put your device into recovery mode first.
    To put your device in recovery mode: (Following these steps will erase your device and reset everything to factory defaults)
    1) press and hold the power button until you see the slide to power off option
    2) swipe to power off
    3) Press and hold the home button while the device is off and connect it to your computer. Continue holding the home button until you see a graphic with the iTunes logo with a picture of a USB cable below it.
    4) iTunes should give you a message that it has detected a device in recovery mode. Click ok and then select Restore iPhone. iTunes will download a fresh copy of iOS and then wipe the device and restore it. Depending on the speed of your computer's internet connection this may take a while. Just leave the iphone connected to your computer until it's finished.
    If itunes is not detecting it at all or is Not giving you the message that the phone is locked with a passcode, you may end up having to reinstall itunes. This seems to be a fairly common problem after the most recent itunes update (11.1.5)
    If this is the case and you happen to be running a windows based computer you will have to uninstall itunes in this order from your programs and features option in control panel:
    iTunes
    Apple Software Update
    Apple Mobile Device Support
    Bonjour
    Apple Application Support (iTunes 9 or later)
    Then download and reinstall itunes from itunes.com try putting your device into recovery mode again and restore.
    Hope this helps.
    Cheers.

Maybe you are looking for