If iPhone is not showing up in iTunes on your Windows 11/10 computer, you won’t be able to Backup, Restore or update your device using Apple’s iTunes software on your computer.
The problem of iPhone not showing up or appearing in iTunes could be happening on your computer due to various reasons, ranging from minor technical glitches to corrupted drivers and other reasons.
What to Do If iPhone is Not Showing Up in iTunes?
When you plug iPhone into the USB port the computer, it should appear in the top-menu bar in iTunes. If this is not happening, you should be able to fix the problem using the following steps.
1. Try Another USB Port
Remove iPhone from its current USB Port and plug it into another USB port. This simple fix should work, if the problem is due to a Faulty USB Port on your computer.
If you are using a USB HUB, connect iPhone directly into the USB Port, instead of connecting it via the USB HUB, which might be faulty.
2. Restart iPhone
1. Go to Settings > General > scroll down and tap on Shut Down.
2. On the next screen, use the Slider to Power OFF iPhone.
3. Allow iPhone to completely switch OFF > Wait for 30 seconds and Restart your device by pressing the Power button.
After iPhone Restarts, plug it back into the computer and see if it is now showing up in iTunes.
3. Restart Computer
In many cases, the problem of USB devices not being recognized by iTunes or by the computer itself is due to stuck programs and processes.
1. Remove iPhone and other plugged devices from the computer (Except Keyboard and Mouse).
2. Shut Down the Computer > Wait for 30 seconds and Restart the Computer.
After the computer restarts, open iTunes and plug iPhone into the USB Port of the computer.
4. Reset Location & Privacy
Unplug iPhone from computer and follow the steps below to Reset Location and Privacy Settings on your device.
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2. On the pop-up, select Reset Network Settings option.
3. After the Reset process is completed, plug iPhone to Computer > Unlock iPhone and select the Trust option, as Trust This Computer pop-up appears on the screen of your iPhone.
Once you Trust the computer, iPhone should show up in iTunes.
5. Update iTunes Software
Make sure that the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer.
1. Open iTunes on your computer.
2. Click on the Help tab in top-menu bar and select Check for Updates option in the drop-down menu.
3. Wait for iTunes to check for updates and install them on your computer.
6. Update Apple Mobile Device Driver
Sometimes, the problem is due to outdated or corrupted driver software on your computer.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manger.
2. On Device Manager screen, expand Portable Devices entry, right-click on Apple iPhone and click on Update Driver option.
3. On the next screen, select Search automatically for updated driver software option.
After the Software is installed, open iTunes > reconnect iPhone to computer and see if it is now showing up in iTunes.
7. Update Apple Mobile USB Device Driver
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manger.
2. On Device Manager screen, expand Universal Serial Bus Devices entry, right-click on Apple Mobile Device USB and click on Update Driver option.
3. On the next screen, select Search automatically for updated driver software option.
After the Driver Software is installed, open iTunes > reconnect iPhone to computer and see if it is now showing up in iTunes.