How to Fix iPhone Not Showing in My Computer Problem

Method 1: Perform Basic Checks

Let’s check why this error might occur and rectify hardware issues before moving onto software fixes.

How to Fix iPhone Not Showing in My Computer ProblemMethod 1: Perform Basic ChecksMethod 2: Update iTunes App and Windows OSMethod 3: Update Apple iPhone DriverMethod 4: Reinstall Apple Mobile Driver (For iTunes installed from App Store) Method 5: Reinstall Apple Mobile Driver (For iTunes installed from Microsoft Store)Method 6: Restart Apple Mobile Device ServiceHow do I avoid iPhone not showing in my computer?

Examine Lightning cable – to check for damage. If it is damaged, try connecting your iPhone to your computer with a new/different one. Examine USB port – If the Lightning cable is in sound condition, link your iPhone to another USB port. Check to see if it’s recognized now. Disconnect, then Reconnect – Try to connect your iPhone to your computer after disconnecting it. Restart the devices – If the problem persists, restart your iPhone and reboot your computer to solve minor issues. Then, reconnect your iPhone. Unlock your iOS device – Before you attach your iPhone/iPad to your PC, make sure it is unlocked. Trust this Computer – When you pair your iPhone to any computer for the first time, you need to tap Trust this computer when prompted.

Method 2: Update iTunes App and Windows OS

This problem is most likely triggered by an out-of-date iTunes or Windows operating system. To resolve this problem, upgrade iTunes to the most recent version and then, run a Windows update.

If your desktop is currently operating on Windows 10, iTunes will automatically upgrade itself whenever a new version is available. If you have Windows 7 or Windows 8, or Windows 8. 1 computer, update iTunes and Windows by following the steps listed below.

  1. Download and install iTunes for your Windows PC. Then, launch the iTunes app.

  2. Click Check for Updates from the Help menu, as illustrated below.

  3. After upgrading iTunes to the newest edition, go to Settings > Update & Security, as shown.

  4. Search for available updates by clicking on Check for updates, as depicted.

  5. If any updates are available, install them and restart your PC.

Then, connect your iPhone to your Windows computer to verify if iPhone not showing in my computer issue is resolved.

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Not Recognizing iPhone

Method 3: Update Apple iPhone Driver

It is possible that your computer is utilizing an obsolete device driver. Hence, to fix the computer not recognizing iPhone issue, try updating the Apple iPhone driver as:

  1. Navigate to the Home Screen on your iPhone.

  2. Connect your iPhone to your Windows PC.

  3. Exit iTunes, if it pops up.

  4. Launch Device Manager by searching for it in the Windows search box.

  5. Here, double click on Portable Devices to expand it.

  6. Click Update driver i.e. the first option from the menu that appears when you right-click on Apple iPhone.

  7. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and then, follow the on-screen instructions.

  8. Launch iTunes and link your iPhone to the computer.

If this doesn’t help solve the computer not recognizing iPhone issue, we will reinstall the drivers in the next method.

Method 4: Reinstall Apple Mobile Driver (For iTunes installed from App Store)

When your computer does not recognize/remember your iPhone, you should try reinstalling the Apple Mobile Device USB driver. If you installed iTunes from Apple official website, you could install the Apple Mobile Device USB driver again by following the steps listed below:

  1. Navigate to the Home Screen on your iPhone.

  2. Connect your iPhone to your Windows PC.

  3. Exit iTunes if it is pops-up.

  4. Launch the Run dialogue box by pressing Windows + R keys at the same time.

  5. Type the given navigation path and click OK, as shown.

  6. Right click on usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf file in the pop-up window and click Install, as depicted below.

  7. Disconnect your iPhone from your computer and restart your computer.

  8. Finally, Connect the iPhone and launch iTunes.

Also Read: Fix The file iTunes Library.itl cannot be read

Method 5: Reinstall Apple Mobile Driver (For iTunes installed from Microsoft Store)

Alternately, you can reinstall drivers to fix computer not recognizing iPhone errors on Windows 10 PC, as follows:

  1. Type, search and open Device Manager, as instructed in Method 3.

  2. Double-click on Portable Devices to expand it.

  3. Right-click on the iOS device and click Uninstall device, as shown below.

  4. Reboot the system. Now, reconnect your iPhone and allow Windows to install Apple drivers automatically.

  5. If you face difficulties, then use Steps 3-5 of Method 2 to update Windows and consequently, install & update iPhone drivers on your Windows 10 laptop/desktop.

Method 6: Restart Apple Mobile Device Service

If the Apple Mobile Device Service is not installed on your computer, your iPhone will not connect to it. So, ensure that the said service is installed. If your iPhone continues to be unrecognized by your computer, restart Apple Mobile Device Service. If your computer runs on the operating system Windows 7/8/8.1, follow the given steps to restart Apple Mobile Device Service:

  1. Close iTunes and unplug your iPhone from the computer.

  2. To open the Run dialogue box, press the Windows + R keys simultaneously from your keyboard.

  3. Here, type services.msc and hit Enter.

  4. Right-click on Apple Mobile Device Service and select Properties.

  5. Choose Automatic as the Startup type.

  6. Click Stop to terminate the operation.

  7. Once the operation has been halted, click Start to restart it. Then, click on the OK button.

  8. Reboot your Windows computer. Link your iPhone to your device using iTunes.

Also Read: Fix Android Phone Not Recognized On Windows 10

How do I avoid iPhone not showing in my computer?

When connecting your iPhone to the Windows system for the first time, you can utilize the AutoPlay feature and easily avoid the computer not recognizing iPhone issue. Here are the steps to do the same:

  1. Connect your iPhone with your Windows 10 computer.

  2. Launch Control Panel by searching for it, as shown.

  3. Select View by > Small icons. Then, click on Autoplay.

  4. Check the box next to the Use Autoplay on both media and devices option. Click Save. Refer highlighted section of the given pic.

  5. Locate the iPhone device and click on Ask me every time from the given menu.

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to fix computer not recognizing iPhone issue using the given easy-to-understand methods. Let us know which method worked for you best. If you have any queries/comments regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section. For ore iPhone problem fixes, check out our other articles in the iOS category.