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iOS device not showing in iTunes for Windows

If your iOS device is not showing in iTunes for Windows try the following:

 

  1. Open Control Panel > Device Manager.
  2. Plug in your device.
  3. Locate Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.
    It is also possible the device may show under Imaging Devices, Portable Devices, Other Devices, or as an MTB USB Device.
  4. Right-click and select Update Driver Software...
    Driver1.png
  5. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
    Driver2.png
  6. Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
    Driver3.png
  7. Click Have Disk...
    Driver4.png
  8. Click Browse...
    Driver5.png
  9. Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers or
                      C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers
    then select the usbaapl64.inf file inside.
    Driver6.png
  10. Click Open, OK, Next, then Close in sequence to complete the installation of the driver, then exit the device manager.

 

 

If you don't see the device at step 3 above then expand any of these sections that are listed in device manager:

  • Universal Serial Bus Controllers
  • Imaging Devices
  • Portable Devices
  • Other Devices

Now disconnect and then reconnect the device. You should hear the telltale sound of Windows device connection and one section should gain a new entry. That should be your device. It may not be labelled correctly at this stage. If you don't hear a noise suspect a damaged cable.

 

 

The images come from Windows 7. The precise wording and look of the dialog boxes may be slightly different in other versions of Windows but the overall pattern of the steps should be the same. The aim is to explicitly choose which driver file Windows installs rather than letting it rely on one that may have been cached at an earlier point in time.

 

 

See also If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support for Apple's guidance on this issue.

 

 

 

If the above steps have not worked then try a full tear down and rebuild of iTunes as set out in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates. 64-bit users could also try the alternate Download iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) build which is sometimes a useful workaround.

 

 

 

Or lastly try rolling back to the last build of iTunes that worked for you. See iTunes installers for download links. If you're rolling back from a version that has made changes to the structure of the iTunes database then you will also need to roll back the library database using the method described in Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. The tip includes suggestions for reintroducing any recent purchases so at worst you lose a few playcounts and/or recently created playlists.

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