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

Learn about trusted computers and find out 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 asks 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 appears when you back up your device. If you turn on automatic backups, the alert message appears every time that you connect your device to the computer.

• If you choose not to trust a computer, you block its access to content on your device. The alert message appears every time that 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, 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 remembers the computers you've chosen to trust. If you don't want to trust a computer or other device anymore, 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 doesn't accept your answer, or if the alert message won't appear, follow these steps. Try again after each.

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 downloaded iTunes for Windows from the Microsoft Store, make sure that 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 also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

Get more help

Learn what to do if your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad