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
- Ensure the latest version of iTunes is installed.
- Plug your Apple device into a USB port on your computer using the included USB cable.
- Ensure your device is on the Home screen. If there is any prompt to “Trust“, select to trust the device.
- In Windows, select “Start“, then type “Control Panel“.
- Select “Control Panel” in the list of items to open.
- Select “Devices and Printers“.
- 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.
- Select the “Hardware” tab, then click the “Properties” button.
- From the “General” tab, select the “Change settings” button.
- Select the “Driver” tab, then select “Update Driver“.
- Choose “Browse my computer for driver software“.
- 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.
- Click “Next” > “Close“.
Your Apple device should now be detected successfully within iTunes.
Fix 2 – Ensure Services are Running
- Select the “Start” button, , type “services.msc“, then press “Enter“.
- 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.
Sumanth says
This worked liked a magic for my problem, thank you very much
Monique says
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!
Inger Lise says
I had to connect it to an USB 2 port, It wasn`t recognized when connected via USB 3. ( Old Iphone to Windows 10)
sam125 says
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
Rashed says
Definitely! Thank you :)
MyZen says
Thank you so much.
Harj says
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!
PDub says
Worked great for me. THANK YOU!!
Steve Koszylowsky says
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!
Gilles Vandevelde says
LIfe-saver !!! Thank you so much !!
Bob says
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?
Janet says
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.
Alexandre Paiva says
It Worked like a charm. Thanks.
Stephen Bowes says
The only fix that worked! Thanks!
Mark G Sherman says
I was still having trouble till I tried a different cable. Seems not all cables are the same.
Thanks for your help!
Demar Grant says
Fix 1 worked perfectly and immediately after I implemented it. Thanks man, good looking out.
STEPHEN WILLIAMS says
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
Mitch Bartlett says
It seems like you both missed a step. I have rewritten the instructions. Try them out and let me know if you still have issues.
Amy Brown says
Same as Jill above. No response when I right click Apple iphone. Only option is to left click and remove device.
Jill says
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.