iTunes doesn't recognize iPhone 6

[Cubytus]

Hi there,

I upgraded from an iPhone 5c (iOS 9.3.5) to an iPhone 6. iPhone 6 runs 11.3 (15E5201e), Mac OS X is 10.11.6, iTunes is 12.3.3.17.

When I plug in the iPhone 5c, no problem, everything syncs back and forth.
When I connect the iPhone 6, I get this non-helpful message from iTunes:

"iTunes couldn't verify your device.
Disconnect then reconnect your device"

These messages also appear in the Console:

6/3/18 22:31:05,836 iTunes[15326]: Entered:_AMMuxedVersion2DeviceConnected, mux-device:49
6/3/18 22:31:05,839 iTunes[15326]: tid:3bb3 - unable to query device capabilities
6/3/18 22:31:06,675 PTPCamera[15380]: --> HandleMessageFromICDD
6/3/18 22:31:07,123 com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.xpc.launchd.domain.pid.MediaLibraryService.15383) Path not allowed in target domain: type = pid, path = /Library/Frameworks/iTunesLibrary.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/com.apple.iTunesLibraryService.xpc error = 147: The specified service did not ship in the requestor's bundle, origin = /System/Library/Frameworks/MediaLibrary.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/com.apple.MediaLibraryService.xpc
6/3/18 22:31:07,125 com.apple.xpc.launchd[1]: (com.apple.xpc.launchd.domain.pid.MediaLibraryService.15383) Path not allowed in target domain: type = pid, path = /Library/Frameworks/iTunesLibrary.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/com.apple.iTunesLibraryService.xpc error = 147: The specified service did not ship in the requestor's bundle, origin = /System/Library/Frameworks/MediaLibrary.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/com.apple.MediaLibraryService.xpc
6/3/18 22:31:07,140 com.apple.SecurityServer[86]: Session 100329 created
6/3/18 22:31:07,166 com.apple.SecurityServer[86]: Killing auth hosts
6/3/18 22:31:07,166 com.apple.SecurityServer[86]: Session 100319 destroyed
6/3/18 22:31:09,291 iTunes[15326]: _MobileActivationWaitForBaseband (thread 0x700000b53000): Waiting for baseband to become ready (49) [Retry 1 of 30]
6/3/18 22:31:09,313 iTunes[15326]: AMDeviceCreateActivationInfo (thread 0x700000b53000): Failed to retrieve activation info (49): Failed to retrieve activation info. ({
    FunctionName = "init_lockdown_server_block_invoke";
    NSLocalizedDescription = "Failed to retrieve activation info.";
    NSUnderlyingError = "Error Domain=com.apple.MobileActivation.ErrorDomain Code=-2 \"Failed to establish session.\" UserInfo={NSUnderlyingError=0x131d06650 {Error Domain=com.apple.MobileActivation.ErrorDomain Code=-2 \"Invalid input.\" UserInfo={SourceLine=301, NSLocalizedDescription=Invalid input., FunctionName=-[MobileActivationDaemon handleSessionResponse:withError:]}}, SourceLine=524, FunctionName=-[MobileActivationDaemon createTunnel1ActivationInfo:options:withCompletionBlock:]_block_invoke, NSLocalizedDescription=Failed to establish session.}";
    SourceLine = 151;
})

For the record, I tested both with and without SIM card installed, didn't change a thing. And before one points the beta version of iOS as the likely culprit, the issue was already present on the supposedly stable iOS 11.2.5. I was kind of forced to upgrade to iOS 11.3 beta since battery life was so bad on 11.2.5 (100% to 10% in 2 hours, browsing text pages only)

This iPhone is not blacklisted anywhere, properly activated with my AppleID, and otherwise appears to be working fine.

What is the source of the issue it's having with iTunes?
And how to solve it?

 

[CoastalOR]

You may need a newer version of iTunes to support iOS 11. I understand there are some newer security features in iOS 11 and it may also help to unlock the iPhone before you plug it in to your computer.

Here is a Apple support doc with some troubleshooting suggestions that may help:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204095

 

[Cubytus]

You are indeed correct.

I installed iTunes 12.6.3 (last one to support both iOS 11 AND keep the App Store), and it now works. I can finally sync all my iOS devices, and not lose local App syncing. As an added bonus, it removed my name from the control bar. I never felt comfortable having my name displayed in full view by any piece of software.