What to do if iTunes does not see iPhone

Operating systems iOS

29.03.20194537

Using an iPhone and iPad, as intended by Apple developers, is extremely simple: most operations are carried out by pressing one or two buttons on the screen, and to synchronize the iPhone with iTunes, all you need is a working USB cable, an installed program and a phone. But sometimes iTunes does not see the connected device. What to do if you can't connect your iPhone to iTunes? Let's try to figure it out.

Reason 1: Cable

The Lightning-to-USB cable is the first thing you should pay attention to in a situation where iTunes does not see the iPhone. Apple mobile devices are extremely sensitive to accessories, so if a non-original, cheap cable from an unknown manufacturer is used to connect to a computer, its correct operation cannot be guaranteed. However, the problem in question may well arise with branded products - cables wear out and become damaged over time, and this cannot always be seen visually. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to check its condition and, if possible, use another one.

Reason 2: USB port

Perhaps the culprit of the problem is not the wire, but the connector on the computer or laptop to which it connects. In this case, you should use another free port. Moreover, in the case of a system unit, it is important to do this on the rear panel, directly, without using various adapters, hubs, card readers and extension cords.

Note that sometimes other USB devices connected to a PC or laptop may become an obstacle. Try turning them off, this is especially important with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless signal receivers and transmitters. Then insert the cable into all available connectors one by one until you are sure that the system and iTunes recognize the iPhone, and if this does not happen, move on to the next solution.

Part 2: How to Backup iPhone to Computer if iPhone Won't Connect to iTunes

In fact, you can back up your iPhone to a computer even if the iPhone is not connected to iTunes. All you need is a great iPhone backup tool like Apeaksoft iOS Data Backup & Restore.

iOS Data Backup and Restore - iTunes iPhone Backup Alternative

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In a word, this is the best way to backup your iPhone on Windows 10/8/8.1/7/XP and Mac OS.

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Step 1. Get the best iPhone backup tool to computer

Download and install iOS Data Backup & Restore on your Windows PC. There is a special Mac version. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a Lightning cable.

Step 2. Select data types to back up

Launch the iPhone backup tool and click the "iOS Date Backup" button to open the following window. Here you will be presented with two options: “Standard Backup” and “Encrypted Backup”. Select one to go to the data type window. Now you need to select the types of data to back up.

Tip: If Encrypted Backup is selected, you will be prompted to reset your password to continue.

Step 3. Backup iPhone in One Click

Once selected, click Next to start the backup process. In a few seconds, your iPhone will be synced with your computer. Here you can also backup iPhone to iTunes.

Reason 3: Lack of trust between devices

In order for the computer, and with it iTunes, to recognize the iPhone, trust must be established between the devices - essentially, this is permission to pair, the request for which appears when you first connect.

Disconnect your iPhone from your PC and then connect it again. Launch iTunes.
In the notification window that appears in the program, click “Continue”.

Unlock the phone screen (perhaps only after this the computer will see it, and the message from the previous step will appear in iTunes), in the window with the question, tap “Trust”, and then enter the security password code.

Once you've completed these steps, iTunes should see your iPhone and you'll be able to work with it, but if it doesn't, move on.

Removing certificates

Quite rarely, but still, certificates created by Windows can lead to iTunes not seeing the iPhone. If you cannot connect after all the above steps, you should try this method:

Open the system file manager and go to the Control panel.

In the “Show or hide” drop-down menu, check the “Hidden elements” checkbox.

Go to the system drive (usually C:\), find the ProgramData folder (in normal mode it is hidden from the user) and enter it.

Find the Apple directory and open it.

The destination is the Lockdown folder.

Now the owner of the equipment needs to select all the files in the directory and delete them by clicking on the corresponding item in the context menu or using the Delete key.

Tip: if for some reason you cannot delete files using standard methods, you need to stop the Apple service and close the application; in some cases, pressing the Shift + Delete keys helps, allowing you to permanently delete data.

Reason 5: iTunes Version

If you are using an outdated, outdated version of iTunes, this may well cause the issue in question with iPhone visibility. Check if an update is available for the program and install it. We previously described this in more detail using the example of versions from the official Apple website and the Microsoft application store in a separate instruction.

Troubleshooting any problems with Apple equipment using the Fixzcomp service

Advantages of the Fixzcomp service center:

Comprehensive repairs of any level of complexity.
Experienced craftsmen with a high level of qualifications.
Own warehouse of components.
Free diagnostics.
Transparent pricing.
The cost of services is lower than the Moscow market average.
Convenient payment methods.
Guaranteed quality results.

If your iTunes does not see the iPad, then call 8 (495) 228-40-99 , there is a feedback form on the website. The Fixzcomp workshop is available to you every day, without weekends or holidays. Our technicians will set up your tablet quickly and efficiently.

Reason 6: iTunes crashes

The likely culprit of the problem is sometimes not the device or outdated software, but a malfunction of the latter. Thus, iTunes can be damaged due to incorrect installation or update, too diligent cleaning of the system from garbage, virus infection and a number of other reasons. The easiest way to eliminate them is by reinstalling the program - we previously wrote about the correct implementation of this procedure in separate articles.

Read more: How to completely remove and reinstall iTunes

Reason 7: Portable Device Driver

In order for the iPhone to work correctly with Windows and iTunes operating in its environment, the operating system must have the appropriate driver. Usually the latter is installed automatically the first time you connect devices, but sometimes it can become corrupted or out of date. The solution in this case would be to update or reinstall.

Note: iTunes for Windows is available in two versions: the first is downloaded as a familiar EXE installer, the second is downloaded from the Microsoft brand store. Based on this, further instructions differ.

Option 1: iTunes from Apple website

Disconnect your iPhone from your PC and close iTunes.
Unlock your phone screen and reconnect it to your computer. If iTunes opens, close it.

Open the Run window by pressing Win+R, enter the command below and press OK or Enter.
%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers

Update, remove and restart Apple Mobile USB Device

Check in Device Manager to see if the Apple Mobile USB Driver is installed. To open Device Manager, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run window.
In the Run window, enter devmgmt.msc and click OK. Device Manager will open.
Find and expand the USB Controllers section.
We are looking for the next line there Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
Then right-click on it and click “Disable” then click on it again, click “Run” and try connecting to iTunes
If nothing happens, then click again and select “Delete”; a window will appear; check the box “Delete driver programs for this device.” After uninstalling, click the “Update device manager” button; the system will reinstall the drivers itself; then we try to connect.
There is another option: uninstall iTunes and then remove the drivers as in the previous method; however, we do not update the device manager and do not close the window, but immediately install iTunes; the necessary drivers will be installed through it.
You can also try "Update Driver". To do this, right-click Apple Mobile Device USB Driver and select update drivers
The above manipulations can also be done with the Apple iPhone item in the personal devices section

Reason 9: iOS

If your iPhone was jailbroken, which involved tampering with the operating system, or there were any errors or glitches in iOS, iTunes may not see the device because of this. The only available solution in this situation is to restore the phone in DFU mode. This procedure is an emergency and involves deleting all data, so before you begin, be sure to create a backup copy. You can find out how it is performed from the instructions provided at the link below - it was written using the example of an iPad, but for an iPhone the algorithm of necessary actions is exactly the same.

Read more: How to restore iPad in DFU mode

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Describe what didn't work for you. Our specialists will try to answer as quickly as possible.

Deleting the contents of the Lockdown folder

First of all, you need to enable the display of hidden folders (click start>control panel>show hidden files and folders) Next we go along the path C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown (if you have version 7,8,10 of Windows), for XP - C: \Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple\Lockdown Delete the contents of the Lockdown folder. We are trying to connect to iTunes.