What should you do if you plug in an iPhone or iPad to a computer and it doesn’t show up? This guide will show you how to make iTunes or Finder recognize your iOS or iPadOS device.
This issue is frequent. You plug your iPhone into the computer, but there’s no icon and no response. What can you do to get iTunes to detect the device?
Apple uses iTunes (or Finder on Macs with macOS Catalina or later) for tasks such as repairs, updates, and restoring software on its iOS devices. But what if iTunes doesn’t find your iPhone, iPad, or iPod?
This problem often happens to iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle owners, particularly on Windows PCs. Yet, it can affect any iOS device on both Windows and Mac. This guide covers what to do if your Apple device doesn’t respond and how to help iTunes ‘see’ your iOS device.
Check the Internet Connection
Before checking for software issues, make sure there’s no problem with your cable. Do these things quickly:
- Make sure the cable is tightly connected to both your iOS device and computer.
- Switch to a different port on your Mac or PC to see if the connection gets better.
- Look at your device’s Lightning port (or USB-C or, for older devices, 30-pin socket) for any dirt or debris that could be blocking a good connection.
- Try using a different cable to see if it connects better. If it does, you need a new cable.
- Still not working? Let’s move on.
- Fixing iTunes on Windows
If your Windows PC doesn’t recognize your Apple device when connected, follow these steps:
- Restart both your PC and your iOS device.
- To update iTunes on your Windows PC, open iTunes and go to Help > Check for Updates.
- Watch your iOS device when it’s connected to your PC. If a message pops up, click Trust.
- If you keep seeing the ‘Trust This Computer?’ message, you might need to update to the latest iTunes for Windows.
- Don’t switch your device to Recovery Mode for these instructions.
Check for Apple Mobile Device Support
Installing iTunes on Windows includes this program. Here’s how to check:
- Open Search (top-right for Windows 9, bottom-left for Windows 10) and enter “Control Panel.”
- Select Uninstall a Program.
- Look to see if Apple Mobile Device Support is listed.
If it’s not listed, you need to install iTunes for Windows again.
Troubleshooting iTunes on a Mac
Occasionally, a Mac may not detect an iPod or iOS device. If this occurs, follow these instructions:
- First, inspect your USB connection. Clean any dust or debris from the port, try another USB port, or use a different USB cable.
- Press the Trust button on your iOS device after connecting it to your Mac.
- Restart your iOS device.
- Restart your Mac.
- Check for updates on your Mac. You may need to update your macOS to connect with newer iOS versions, like iOS 13. Typically, your Mac will alert you if such an update is necessary.
- If you have security software, it might disrupt the connection between iTunes and your Mac. Refer to the Apple Support document “Resolve issues between iTunes and Security Software” to address this problem.
