iPhone is not seen by itunes on Windows 11 PC but it is seen by Windows Explorer on the PC when connected with a USB cable

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iPhone is not seen by itunes on Windows 11 PC but it is seen by Windows Explorer on the PC when connected with a USB cable

I have spent all day trying to solve the iTunes showing my iPhone 12 as a device and allowing me to sync, move music around, etc. My PC is running Windows 11 Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621 and was updated this morning. The last time I was able to complete a sync was October of 2022. I have followed all of the advice on line: I have uninstalled/ reinstalled iTunes (12.12.10.1) several times from the Microsoft Store; I have connected my iPhone directly to my PC with a brand new Apple certified cable; I have checked to see if Apple Mobile Device Services is running (it isn't even there in Services no matter how many times i reinstall); etc. I run iTunes diagnostics and continue to get red dots for "iPod support services is not installed" no mater what I do.

I am flummoxed! Is it just time to give up on iTunes and the idea that I will ever be able to sync or back-up my iphone or update my music library?

Is there any NEW ideas or suggestions out there??

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 11:46 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

Level 10

274,464 points

Oct 11, 2023 12:21 PM in response to Lon52

The Microsoft Store version of iTunes is supposed to include all the necessary drivers for iTunes to communicate with a connected device. Sometimes, for some people, that doesn't seem to work. You may be better off removing the version of iTunes that you got from the Microsoft Store, and then install using the alternative standalone installer:

https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/win64

tt2

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Answer 2

Lon52 Author

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Oct 17, 2023 6:45 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. Tried it but unsuccessful because I get the following when I click on the driver specified (it is in the C:/Program Files line) in the article;

“The folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your device. If the folder contains a driver, make sure it is designed to work with Windows for ×64-based systems.”

Also, if anyone else is try this, “Apple Mobile Device USB Device” resides in “Universal Serial Bus devices” in “Device Manager”

I reverted to the Microsoft Store iTunes in hopes of at least seeing my iPhone in “This PC” so I could use 3rd party software to access my music. Although I can see it in Device Manger’s “Portable Devices”, it no longer shows up in My PC. I did get it to pop for a few seconds but it disappeared before I could click it.

i’m at my wits end and have basically given up hope of solving this

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Answer 3

javaliga

Level 10

119,863 points

Oct 10, 2023 12:47 PM in response to Lon52

Instead of installing iTunes from the Microsoft Store, install it directly from Apple. See the Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components section in:

Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Wi… - Apple Community

and:

iTunes - Apple

I believe the version from the Microsoft Store uses its own PC drivers while the version from Apple includes Apple Mobile Device Services. (I may be wrong.)

For reasons that are unclear the iTunes installer may fail to install or update specific components such as Apple Application Support or Apple Mobile Device Support, even when undertaking a "clean" install such as that described above in Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components. In such cases it may help to extract the individual components from the downloaded iTunesSetup.exe, itunes6464setup.exe oriTunes64Setup.exe file using a utility such as 7-Zip, then install the appropriate .msi file for the missing/outdated component.

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Answer 4

Lon52 Author

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Oct 12, 2023 10:14 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks, I think your suggestion got me some things but also took things away.

Downloading from Apple did get Apple Mobile Devices Services add to Services & Bonjour is now present. However my phone is still not recognized by iTunes and, I can no longer see my iPhone as a drive in File Explorer. When I run the diagnostics in iTunes I now get a red mark beside "iTunes Helper is not running". I went into Services and made sure Apple Mobile Devices Services is running, made sure it was set to Automatic, and stopped and restarted it. I reran diagnostics and got the same result.

In addition I went into Device Manager to check the Driver for iPhone. It says it it the most recent and is listed as MTP USB Device. Is this correct? I was expecting something a little more Appley.

MODIFIED @ 1:04p 10/12/2023:

Driver is not called MTP USB Device. There are 6 drivers files listed under Portable Devices/Apple iPhone. In addition, under Universal Serial Bus Devices there are multiple file listings for Apple Mobile Device USB Composite Device and Apple Mobile Device USB Device.

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Answer 5

Lon52 Author

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9 points

Oct 10, 2023 1:01 PM in response to javaliga

Thanks for the quick response! I’m don’t know how to extract the individual components from the exe files. I’ve never tried it before and don’t know where to start. I did spend quite a bit of time looking for the individual components on line hoping that someone else had found them and done what you are suggesting.

Can you point me at something/somewhere that can shed some light on the process?

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

274,464 points

Oct 12, 2023 12:47 PM in response to Lon52

Try iOS device not showing in iTunes for Windows - Apple Community.

tt2

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iPhone is not seen by itunes on Windows 11 PC but it is seen by Windows Explorer on the PC when connected with a USB cable

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