Q: Windows 8 doesn't recognize Iphone 5

The first thing you should check is if you have the absolutel latest version of iTunes installed. Then follow the steps in this support article.

So what version of itunes do you have?

Have you tried other USB ports on your computer? 

Are you using a power pack that has its own USB port?   

You said you found the Apple Mobile Device driver - did you uninstall it, reboot the computer, and connect the phone again?

I had the same problem, followed the instructions in this link and the problem was solved:

http://www.technipages.com/itunes-fix-iphone-or-ipod-not-detected-in-windows-8

Hope this works for you!!

Thanks a lot, that's the only solution that was actually helpful

Thanks Boston that worked for me as well.

Hi BostonZee,

Thanks for posting this article. I tried everything in this article first but to no avail:

How to restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS) on Windows - Apple Support

Then I removed all Apple software, re-installed it all, re-started the computer, re-started iTunes, then re-connected my phone and still it didn't work.

Then, I tried the instructions in the article you posted (http://www.technipages.com/itunes-fix-iphone-or-ipod-not-detected-in-windows-8), but for some reason the device manager doesn't list my iPhone 5. Yesterday, when I first connected my phone to this laptop I got the "trust this device" pop-up and I selected "trust".

Any ideas on what might be happening? Do you know of any other way I can get my iPhone to show up in the device manager?

Thanks so much!

Sona

I found this one worked for me: How to restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS) on Windows - Apple Support