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iTunes: Fix iPhone or iPad Not Detected in Windows 10

iTunes: Fix iPhone or iPad Not Detected in Windows 10

Posted on by 62 Comments

I recently upgraded to Microsoft Windows 10 and found that iTunes no longer detected my Apple iPad or iPhone. Here’s how I fixed it.

Fix 1

  1. Ensure the latest version of iTunes is installed.
  2. Plug your Apple device into a USB port on your computer using the included USB cable.
  3. Ensure your device is on the Home screen. If there is any prompt to “Trust“, select to trust the device.
  4. In Windows, select “Start“, then type “Control Panel“.
  5. Select “Control Panel” in the list of items to open.
  6. Select “Devices and Printers“.
  7. Your iPhone or iPad should be displayed in the “Unspecified” section. Right-click it and select “Properties“.
    Note: If you don’t see your device listed here, ensure you have selected to trust the PC on the device and you are using a supported cable.iPod Device Properties option
  8. Select the “Hardware” tab, then click the “Properties” button.Hardware Properties button
  9. From the “General” tab, select the “Change settings” button.Change settings button
  10. Select the “Driver” tab, then select “Update Driver“.Update Driver option
  11. Choose “Browse my computer for driver software“.Browse my computer for driver software option
  12. Select “Browse…” then navigate to “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“. If you don’t have this folder, check in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“. If you still don’t see it, try uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes.
    Note: Since a few of you have messaged me that you still don’t see this folder, I have zipped up the files and made them available for download here. Unzip the folder somewhere, then point Windows to the files.
    Apple device driver location
  13. Click “Next” > “Close“.

Your Apple device should now be detected successfully within iTunes.

Fix 2 – Ensure Services are Running

  1. Select the “Start” button, , type “services.msc“, then press “Enter“.
  2. Ensure the following services are set to start automatically and are started:
    • iPod Service
    • Apple Mobile Device Service
    • Bonjour Service

FAQ

Why don’t I have the “Drivers” folder?

It is possible your installation of iTunes didn’t include it. Uninstall and reinstall iTunes and the folder should be re-created.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. In case it helps someone, “Search automatically for updated driver software” worked for me while the “Browse…” option did not.

  12. Hi – followed everything step by step and when I go to load the drivers from your ZIP file I get the following message – The best drivers for your device are already installed. Windows has determined that the best driver for this device is already installed. There may be better drivers on windows Update or the device manufacturere’s website.

    I realize this is not Apple’s fault but rather Microsoft’s but I can’t utilize my Ipod or music which stinks.

    Thanks

  13. Thank you so much for the very useful information. I was able to download the drivers from your link and install it on my Laptop. iTunes worked perfectly after that.

    Cheers!

  14. I never usually post messages but I wanted to than you for sharing this information and the driver folder too. Much appreciated!!

  15. It wouldn’t work for me, when I clicked on properties I couldn’t see the hardware button. What do you think I should do?

  16. Thank you so much for the information provided and especially for the drivers folder! It helped me a lot!

  18. Thanks a Lot, Fix 1 worked fine, once I browse the Program Files and Common files, It recognized right a way. Nice and easy steps, helped I was struggling with all the cables and USB Ports for days. thanks

  19. Yes, Fix 1 worked for my iPhone X. For some reason, with the new version of iTunes, it didn’t recognize the iPhone anymore. It took less than a minute to fix once I found your page. Thanks!

  21. Thank you so much for making it easy. Your folder with the drivers saved me from being admitted to the asylum (hyperbole!)

  23. Thanks a ton man!! i just deleted some files and had to restore the things back when i tunes started acting up!

  34. Mitch! You are awesome, dude. Thank God I found this site, and your zip file. That was what was needed. I did not have the “Mobile Device Support” or “Drivers” file folders . . . even after re-installing iTunes . . . so I created these folders manually, and placed your zip files in the “Drivers” folder . . . and voilà! iTunes worked. I greatly appreciate your help.

  41. Thank you so much! I didn’t have the folder, Unzipped your files, installed and it worked perfectly. Thanks again, You saved me a ton of time.

  44. Cannot BELIEVE the performance to get a new 6s plus set-up but at least I got this step to work with your tip! Thanks!

  45. I had to connect it to an USB 2 port, It wasn`t recognized when connected via USB 3. ( Old Iphone to Windows 10)

  46. i tried ur method of unzipping ur given downloadable file but then it shows u are already having the latest drivers and it cant update any further and it still shows the device in the unspecified list and not coming in itunes as well

  49. Thank you so much for this fix! For some reason after updating iTunes, the iPod drivers were corrupted and a reinstall didn’t work, but after following these instructions it’s all fine again. Very much appreciated!

  51. Thank you so much Mitch! While your solution didn’t work exactly as laid out, it pointed me to a solution that did.

    I was good up until Select “Browse…” then navigate to “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“. If you don’t have this folder, check in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers“

    The problem was I didn’t have the Mobile Device Support file so it ended there. However…at the bottom of that box (in blue under Search for drivers in this location) I clicked on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

    The next box showed Apple Mobile Device USB Device (the only option). I clicked on it, pressed Next.and…voila!

    When I reopened iTunes the symbol recognizing my iPhone was showing and a sync was initiated automatically.

    Thanks again!

  53. Uninstalled and reinstalled itunes 4 times and still do not get an Apple folder under either Common Files folder. When Automatic is selected it says it has most current version. Have latest Windows 10 and latest iphone IOS installed. Anyone else have same and found success?

  54. Yes, worked for me. Thank you for the clear directions. I was not able to find the “C” folder, but I typed in what you listed, and I found it worked like a charm. Thanks very much.

  57. I was still having trouble till I tried a different cable. Seems not all cables are the same.
    Thanks for your help!

  58. Fix 1 worked perfectly and immediately after I implemented it. Thanks man, good looking out.

  59. The “Browse My Computer blah blah blah” didn’t work because after re-installing iTunes 4 times (NOTE: you have to remove ALL Apple software not just iTunes!) I still did not have the “Apple” subfolder, so I selected the ‘”Search Automatically…” and kazaam! Windows says it loaded the driver software and now my iPod Touch 4 works! praise the lord, it is now recognized, clicked on the iPod icon in iTunes, then I clicked on the Music tab on the left pane, then select “Synch Entire Library”… it is now copying 3,000 songs onto my new Touch 4… gawd whatta frustrating ordeal this was (caused by my iPod Nano 7 dying) Thanks for pointing me in the right direction

  61. Same as Jill above. No response when I right click Apple iphone. Only option is to left click and remove device.

  62. Right clicking apple iphone did nothing at all.
    I have reinstalled itunes so many times…still no iphone driver on my pc.

    I should not have uninstalled my older itunes as it all worked well with my phone..
    But thank you.

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