iTunes Not Recognizing iPhone? Here’s Every Solution You Need To Know

“Someone please help me as my iPhone is not showing up in iTunes on Windows 10? Is there a problem with my iPhone or computer? How can I fix it?”

This is a recent query posted by a concerned iPhone 8 user on a leading online forum. Surprisingly, the issue is pretty common and is faced by several other iPhone users the world over. Ideally, the iTunes not detecting the iPhone issue is caused by connectivity or compatibility errors. The good news is that the iTunes not recognizing iPhone problem can easily be fixed by some smart and quick methods that we have discussed here.

• Part 1: Check if there is a Problem with iPhone or System Connections
• Part 2: Update iTunes to the Latest Version
• Part 3: Force Restart your iPhone and Reconnect
• Part 4: Look for the "Trust This Computer" Option on iPhone
• Part 5: Fix your iPhone System Problems with dr.fone – Repair
• Part 6: Update your iPhone to the Latest Stable iOS Version

Part 1: Check if there is a Problem with iPhone or System Connections

First things first – before you take any drastic step, just make sure that your iPhone and computer (Windows/Mac) are connected perfectly. For instance, the USB port on your computer could be damaged or you might be using a broken lightning cable. Simply disconnect the device first and clean all the ports on your system and the iPhone. Sometimes, accumulated dirt or debris can cause iTunes not connecting to iPhone problem.

Also, make sure that you are using a working cable. You can also connect your iPhone to any other computer to further check if there is an issue with your system’s hardware or not.

Part 2: Update iTunes to the Latest Version

This is the most prominent reason for iTunes not connecting to iPhone on both Windows and Mac. If you have got a new iPhone and you are trying to connect it to an outdated version of iTunes, then you would face this connectivity issue. For instance, iPhone 8/X would need an iTunes 12.7 or a newer version. Therefore, if you haven’t updated your iTunes in a while, then follow these steps to fix the iTunes not recognizing iPhone problem.

1. Firstly, launch iTunes on your Windows and go to its Help menu > Check for Updates. This will make iTunes check for the available updates and will let you know about it.



2. If you own a Mac, then go to the iTunes tab instead on the top and click on “Check for Updates”. Now, you can just follow an on-screen wizard to update your iTunes.



3. Mac users can also go to the App Store on their system and visit the “Updates” section. Besides the iTunes app, click on the “Update” button (if an update is available).

Once you have updated iTunes on your system, try reconnecting iPhone to it and check if the iTunes not detecting iPhone problem is fixed or not.

Part 3: Force Restart your iPhone and Reconnect

If an iTunes update is not able to fix the problem, then you need to take some drastic measures. For example, you can forcefully restart your iPhone to reset its power cycle and some cache content. Remember, this will not cause any data loss on your device and thus is a safe option for the device not showing up in iTunes situation. Just be sure that you first disconnect the device else you might accidentally boot it in the DFU or Recovery mode.

For iPhone 8 and Newer Models

Remove your phone from the system and just quick-press the Volume Up key. After that, quick-press the Volume Down key and subsequently, press and hold the Side key. Keep pressing it for a while and let go once the phone restarts.

For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Disconnect your iPhone from the computer and press the Volume Down + Power keys, both at the same time. You need to press them simultaneously for another 10 seconds and release the keys when the device reboots.

For iPhone 6s and older models

Make sure that your iPhone is not connected to the computer at first. Now, press the Power (wake/sleep) key and the Home button at the same time. Keep pressing them for another 10 seconds or so until your phone restarts.

After when your iPhone reboots, just connect it to the latest iTunes version again using a working cable and check if the iTunes not recognizing iPhone problem is fixed.

Part 4: Look for the "Trust This Computer" Option on iPhone

If you are connecting your iPhone to your computer the first time, then you might encounter that iTunes is not detecting the iPhone because of this. Ideally, when an iPhone is connected to an unknown system, it displays the “Trust This Computer” prompt on the device. Therefore, as soon as you connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows, unlock the iOS device and look for a prompt like this.

Once you get the “Trust This Computer” prompt, just tap on the “Trust” button and wait for a while as your iPhone would grant the system the needed permissions.

Part 5: Fix your iPhone System Problems with dr.fone – Repair

If you are looking for a professional tool to fix the iTunes no recognizing iPhone problem, then dr.fone – Repair (iOS) would be a perfect solution. A part of the dr.fone toolkit, it can fix all kinds of issues with your iPhone or iTunes without causing any harm to your device. The application can be used to fix any connectivity issue with iPhone or any other major iTunes problem. Apart from that, if you think there is a problem with your iPhone’s system, then you can also use dr.fone – Repair (iOS) to fix it.

Solution 1: Fixing iTunes Connectivity Issues

Firstly, I would recommend trying this automated fix of dr.fone that will resolve any connectivity issue with your iTunes, including the iTunes not detecting iPhone problem.

1. Connect your iPhone to your system using a working cable and launch the dr.fone toolkit. From its home, simply open the “Repair” section.



2. Once your device gets detected, visit the “iTunes Repair” section from the sidebar and choose to repair iTunes Connection Issues.



3. In case if your device is not connected, then check the connecting cable and click on the “Start’ button to fix the issue.



4. Just wait for a few minutes as the application would fix the connectivity issue and will inform you as soon as it is completed. You can later launch iTunes and check if it fixes the iTunes not connecting to iPhone problem.

Solution 2: Repairing iPhone System Problem

Chances are that there could be a serious issue with your iPhone, which can be fixed by repairing its system components by dr.fone.

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch dr.fone – Repair (iOS) on it. Go to the iOS Repair section and pick the standard mode first (to retain the data on your iPhone).



2. The application would automatically detect your device and its system version. You can just verify the details and click on the “Start” button.



3. This would make the application download the latest firmware version for your device and would verify it with your phone model.



4. Once the verification is completed, it will notify you. Just click on the “Fix Now” button and wait for a while as your phone would be fixed.



5. In the end, your phone would be restarted with the latest stable iOS version. You can now reconnect the phone and use it with iTunes.

In case if the Standard Mode won’t fix the iTunes not recognizing iPhone problem, then consider the Advanced Mode instead. Please note that the application would erase the device’s existing data in the advanced mode.

Part 6: Update your iPhone to the Latest Stable iOS Version

Last, but not the least, the iTunes not recognizing iPhone problem can also occur due to an old or unstable iOS version. Thankfully, this issue can easily be fixed by updating your iPhone to the latest compatible firmware. You can just follow these quick steps to update your phone and fix iTunes not detecting iPhone issue.

1. Disconnect your phone from the system and unlock it to visit its settings (by tapping on the gear icon from its home).
2. Browse to its General Settings > Software Update to view the profile of the latest stable iOS version.
3. Just tap on the “Download and Install” button and maintain a stable internet connection. Once the iOS firmware is downloaded, it will be installed on your device and restarts it normally.

That’s a wrap, everyone. I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would be able to fix iTunes not recognizing the iPhone issue for sure. As you can see, dr.fone – Repair (iOS) provides the best solution to fix the problem without causing any harm to your phone. Since it is a complete iOS system repairing tool, it is recommended to keep it handy. You never know – it might end up saving the day while fixing unwanted iTunes or iPhone issues without any trouble.