When we try to connect the iPhone to a computer to transfer files, the iPhone may not be recognized, which is not only frustrating but also impacts normal file management and transfer. This situation is more common among Windows users and can arise from various reasons. This article will delve into the ultimate causes of the iPhone not showing up on PC and provide simple and advanced solutions to help you resolve the issue easily.
If you have connected your iPhone to the PC but the iPhone is not showing up on the computer, the following are the possible reasons:
After we know the possible reasons why the iPhone won't show up on PC, let's continue reading to learn how to fix this issue in the next two Parts.
If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, it doesn't always indicate a serious error. Before resorting to advanced solutions, try these simple fixes first.
1. Ensure that your iPhone is turned on and unlocked and that you've selected "Trust" when prompted to trust the computer.
2. Ensure that there are photos and videos in the Camera Roll on your iPhone.
3. Use an original Apple USB cable, try another genuine cable in case the one you're using is faulty, or try connecting your iPhone to different USB ports on your computer to see if it appears. You can also connect your iPhone to another computer to check if it gets recognized there.
4. Verify that you are using the latest iOS version. If not, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" on your iPhone and follow the instructions to upgrade to the latest iOS 18.
5. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer, as outdated software may result in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod not being recognized by iTunes.
6. Restart both your iPhone and your computer.
If you have tried all the simple fixes mentioned above but the iPhone is still not showing up on the PC, you can attempt the following two advanced solutions to see if the issue is resolved.
The issue of the iPhone not showing up on the computer can arise if the Apple Mobile Device USB driver is not installed correctly. You can try updating the driver to fix it. To do this, follow the steps below:
If you downloaded iTunes from the Microsoft Store:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and unlock it. Click "Start", type "Device Manager", and then select "Device Manager" from the list.
Step 2. Locate "Portable Devices" and expand it. Right-click on "Apple iPhone" and choose "Update driver".
Step 3. Select "Browse my computer for driver software" and then choose "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
Step 4. Select the device driver and click "Next" to proceed. The driver will install it on your computer. Once completed, click "Close" to exit the window.
Step 5. Close Device Manager and restart your computer. Check if your computer can now recognize your iPhone.
If you downloaded iTunes from Apple:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and unlock it.
Step 2. Press the "Windows" key and "R" key simultaneously to open the "Run" box.
Step 3. Copy and paste "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers" into the box and press "Enter".
Step 4. Right-click on "usbaapl64.inf" or "usbaapl.inf" and select the "Install" option.
If the issue of the iPhone not appearing on your PC isn't related to the iPhone driver, you can troubleshoot the device through the Control Panel.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Click "Start" on your computer.
Step 2. Type "Control Panel" into the search box and press "Enter".
Step 3. Select "Control Panel" to open it.
Step 4. Navigate to "Hardware and Sound" > "View devices and printers".
Step 5. Look for the "Unspecified" section.
Step 6. Right-click on your iPhone and select the "Troubleshoot" option from the context menu.
Step 7. Windows will automatically detect any issues with the device. If problems are found, follow the on-screen instructions to resolve them.
Step 8. Finally, reboot both your computer and iPhone to check if the PC can successfully recognize your iPhone in Windows File Explorer.
Windows File Explorer can help us transfer photos from an iPhone to a PC, but it does have limitations. For instance, photos not saved in the Camera Roll won't be accessible. Additionally, the issue of iPhone photos not showing up on the PC is quite common. In this case, you might consider using Coolmuster iOS Assistant. This data management tool is specifically designed for iOS devices, allowing for easy file transfers between your iPhone and computer. It's user-friendly, fast, and compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.
What can Coolmuster iOS Assistant do for you?
Here is how it works:
01Install and launch iOS Assistant on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. If prompted with "Trust This Computer" on your iPhone, click the "Trust" option, then tap "Continue" in the program to proceed.
02Once your device is detected by the program, the main interface will appear as shown below.
03To export photos and videos from your iPhone to your PC, click on "Photos" and "Videos" in the left panel. Preview and select the photos and videos you wish to transfer, then click the "Export" button in the top menu.
Video Tutorial:
When encountering the issue of the iPhone not showing up in Windows 10/11, you can follow the steps in this article, progressing from simple to advanced troubleshooting until the problem is resolved. Additionally, you can try using Coolmuster iOS Assistant for a simpler way to transfer photos, videos, or other files between your computer and iPhone.
Related Articles:
Why Is iPhone Not Showing Up in iTunes? [Reasons & Solutions]
14 Ways to Fix the iPhone/iCloud Photos Not Showing Up on Mac Issue
Can't Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC? [Reasons & Solutions]
How to Fix the iTunes Not Recognizing iPhone Problem? [2023 Update]
Feedback
Free Download for PC 
Free Download for Mac 
