About the “Trust This Computer” alert message on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Find out about trusted computers and how to change your settings.

What the trust settings on your device mean

When you connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to a computer or other device for the first time, an alert message will ask whether you trust the computer:

• Trusted computers can sync with your device and access your device’s photos, videos, contacts and other content. These computers remain trusted unless you change which computers you trust or erase your device.

• With iOS 16 and later, the alert message will appear when you back up your device. If you turn on automatic backups, the alert message will appear every time you connect your device to the computer.

• If you choose not to trust a computer, you'll block its access to content on your device. The alert message will appear every time you connect your device to that computer.

Choose whether to trust a computer

1. Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your computer or another device.

2. Enter your passcode, if you have one, to unlock your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

3. If you want to allow your computer to access information on your device, select your device in the Finder or in the Apple Devices app, and click Trust. Or if you're using iTunes, click Continue. If you see a dialog asking you to trust the device, select Trust This [device] to allow the device to appear in the sidebar.

4. On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, confirm that you allow your computer or other device to access your data. If you don't want to trust the computer or other connected device, tap Don't Trust on your device. If you want to trust your computer, tap Trust.

   

Change your settings for trusted computers

Your device will remember the computers you've chosen to trust. If you don’t want to trust a computer or other device any more, reset the Location & Privacy settings on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

1. Go to Settings, then tap General.

2. Tap Transfer or Reset [Device].

3. Tap Reset, then tap Reset Location & Privacy.

Now when you connect your device to formerly trusted computers, the alert message will ask you whether you trust that computer.

If you need help with the alert message

If you tap Trust or Don’t Trust but your computer won’t accept your answer, or if the alert message won’t appear, follow these steps. Try again after each step.

1. Make sure that your computer has the latest version of macOS or the latest version of iTunes or the Apple Devices app. If you’ve downloaded iTunes for Windows from the Microsoft Store, make sure iTunes Mobile Device Helper is enabled as a startup item.

2. Disconnect and reconnect your device from your computer.

3. Restart your computer.

4. Restart your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

5. Reset your Location & Privacy settings.

6. Reset your Network settings. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings. This will also reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, mobile data settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

Get more help

Find out what to do if your computer doesn’t recognise your iPhone or iPad.

If you still need help, contact Apple Support.