Cannot Connect iPad Pro M4 13" To Windows 11 PC

If you iPad is not recognised when connected to your computer, try using a different USB port; if your computer has both USB-C and USB Type-A ports, try using the USB Type-A port of the computer - for which you will obviously require an appropriate USB Type-A to USB-C cable or adapter to connect your iPad to the PC.

If difficulties persist, this support page may help with troubleshooting:

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Given that the iPad Pro M4 is a new hardware platform, it is perhaps inevitable that some issues will be identified by the early adopters - as almost always occurs when new models are initially released.

Apple is usually very responsive to early issues in releasing a point-update to fix identified bugs. That said, it may take a week or two.

Presumably you are not attempting to fix an issue with the iPad itself, but may simply be attempting to synchronise data between iPad and Windows PC. If so, instead of a direct USB connection, have you considered installing iTunes for Windows on your PC?

Download iTunes for Windows - Apple Support

Insofar as you and others will have ascertained through monitoring this forum, among the many millions of new iPad Pro M4 devices that have entered circulation in the recent weeks since its release, the issue that you describe does not appear to be widespread.

Similarly, while there have been a small number of reported issues across this and other fora, these do not represent the sheer volume of new devices that have been sold. If there were serious issues, you might reasonably anticipate both forums and the technical press to full of reports; the press love to crow when new products (in particular from highly successful multinational companies - such as Apple) suffer a major technical issue.

Perhaps temper your disappointment with the objective view that lack of similar reports is something positive. Of itself, this might be a particularly good indication that the issue is perhaps with your Windows PC - and not necessarily with your iPad.

If you remain concerned, you might be well advised to seek assistance and advice from directly from Apple Support - this being something that you have already initiated. That said, debugging issues with Microsoft Windows 11 is perhaps not an area that you might anticipate particularly in-depth support from Apple.

For the benefit of other readers that often don't read an entire thread... you can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page.

Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to offer assistance:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Excellent. I'm delighted that you have successfully resolved the problem.

I posted this same issue on reddit a couple weeks ago, quoted below. I fixed it recently by using a different USB A port and an unofficial cable. For some reason, using my singular USB C port on my desktop would not allow my M4 ipad to be recognized, even though it worked fine on my phone. Using a lower power USB A port and a USB A-C cable has got it to work. Not sure why it is not working on this ipad specifically as it worked fine on other devices including M1 iPad Pro 12.9"

Hello! I'm seeking different perspectives on a tech issue I'm experiencing. I use Duet Display, which requires Apple mobile device drivers. Currently, I'm facing problems with my new M4 iPad Pro being recognized by Windows 11. Initially, it only appeared as a generic MTP device. After spending hours uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes and the necessary drivers, I managed to get the Device Manager to recognize it as “Apple iPad.” However, iTunes and Duet Display still do not recognize it. My iPhone and iPad Air (M1) connect without any issues, suggesting this might be specific to the M4 model. Has anyone else experienced this, or can anyone test this out to confirm?

I had the same problem. Turns out the new iPad pro M4 doesn't like my USB-C 3.2 gen 2x2. When I pugged the iPad in one of my USB 4 ports (which also supports Thunderbolt) Windows 11 (and Apple Devices / iTunes) finally accepted the new iPad. I don't now if Thunderbolt capability or USB 4 solved the issue for me. It also may be that it didn't like the AMD (USB 3.2 ports) but liked Intel (USB 4 ports).

Fun fact: My old iPad pro M1 was plugged into the USB-C 3.2 gen 2x2 for the last 12 months without any problems. Looks like Apple ditched downward compatibility with their new iPads. ;-)

I suspect it may have less to do with the type of port and more to do with the bandwidth (going from USB 3.2 to USB 2.0) or something of that nature.