Connecting your iPhone to iTunes on your PC or Mac is vital in keeping your device well-managed and up to date.
iTunes has been your good old buddy since day one and is still your favorite go-to when managing your iPhone. Even with the latest macOS overhaul, Finder is still iTunes in so many ways. But sometimes, iTunes does not recognize your device.
Most of the time these errors happen after or when you update/restore your iPhone. However, this error should not intimidate you or cause fear because it can be easily fixed.
So, if you are asking ‘why isn’t my iPhone showing up in iTunes?’, better read this post to find out!
Part 1. 7 Uncomplicated Tricks to Fix iPhone Not Showing Up in iTunesPart 2. Summary
Part 1. 7 Uncomplicated Tricks to Fix iPhone Not Showing Up in iTunes
In case you are caught up in this kind of error, make sure that your iPhone is turned on, unlocked and you are on the Home screen to avoid unknown connection errors. If you have done these things and your iPhone still isn't showing up on iTunes, then follow these steps below:
Trick #1. Use A Different USB Cable and Port
Your initial thought when you receive this error is your USB cable. Perhaps, your cable is faulty or damaged. Or, maybe you are no longer using the original cable that came along in the box.
The USB cable stands as your lifeline when connecting your device to a computer to manage, update, or restore your via iTunes. Therefore, it is important to check if your cable is working perfectly.
What you can do to test if your USB cable is faulty or not is to try using a different cable. You may borrow from a friend or family member to try and connect your iPhone and see if you will get the same error.
Another physical issue to look for is the USB port on your laptop or computer. If you have another port to plug in, try using that and check if you receive the same error. You may also want to check the port if it has dirt or debris inside that may have blocked the connection.
Trick #2. Restart Devices
If the USB cables and ports are fine, the next thing you may want to do to fix the iPhone that is not showing up in iTunes is to restart all the devices.
Restarting forces the software to reboot and cancel all the processes that may block your connection. Simply slide to power off your iPhone, and also shut down the computer.
After your devices have restarted, try connecting your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes. If the issue is still occurring, continue troubleshooting.
Trick #3. Update iTunes, PC or Mac, and iPhone
A software update is essential in maintaining a good running app or program. This is why you often see an iOS notification update on your iPhone. The same thing actually happens in iTunes. You need to update the iTunes version to keep it in a good state and avoid incompatibility issues.
To update your iTunes:
- Launch iTunes
- Go to Help
- Scroll and click Check for Updates
Follow the instructions on how to update your iTunes to the latest version.
Let’s say your iTunes is already updated, you may also want to check if your Mac or your Windows computer is fully updated. Again, if two software is incompatible, the iPhone not showing up on iTunes issue might remain.
To update your Mac:
- Click System Preferences from the Apple menu on your mac
- In this window, find and click Software Update
- Choose Update Now. This option updates the version of the current iOS software your Mac is running on while the option Upgrade Now gives you an opportunity to install a newer macOS.
If your Mac is already updated, you will see a notification about it.
To update your Windows:
Most Windows computers are updated automatically, however, you may double-check this and learn how to manually update your Windows by following this guide:
- Click Start or the Windows logo
- Find and select Settings
- Navigate to Windows Update
You will see all the details regarding your current Windows version.
Trick #4. Connect iPhone to a Different Computer
If the error still appears even after updating your devices, then you can consider using a different computer with iTunes. This method might be able to solve the "Why isn't my iPhone showing up on iTunes" problem, however, is only applicable if you have a spare or an available computer or laptop to use.
Trick #5. Update Apple Mobile Device USB Driver (Windows)
When your Windows computer is fully updated and still your iPhone is not recognized in iTunes, you can confirm if the Apple Mobile Device USB driver is also updated.
This is the driver for your USB cable that is installed on the Windows computer. To update this driver, first, disconnect your iPhone and follow this guide:
- Click the Windows logo + R
- Type in devmgmt.msc and click OK or Enter
- Find the Universal Serial Bus Controller and expand to show its sub-categories
- Look for Apple Mobile Device USB Driver and right-click on it
- Select Update Driver
Trick #6. Temporarily Disable Security Software
Another possible reason why you are unable to use your iPhone in iTunes is that your security software is blocking your device to use iTunes. Depending on the security software that you are using, you can temporarily turn it off to use your iTunes.
You may refer to your security software’s website on how to disable the program in the meantime.
Trick #7. Fix iTunes Errors with FoneDog iOS System Recovery Tool
Going through a lot of troubleshooting steps is exhausting and perhaps frustrating especially when you fail at every step you are trying. To avoid such headaches, you can use a better alternative in fixing iPhone not showing up in iTunes.
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FoneDog iOS System Recovery helps iOS users make the most of their devices by fixing various system errors including iTunes errors, freezing issues, and many more.
It has proven to repair iPhone and iPad without data loss which is the ultimate sacrifice during troubleshooting. Therefore, this software gives you peace of mind that whatever state your iPhone is in, you are confident that you can repair it without losing important files.
Refer to this complete guide below on how to use FoneDog iOS System Recovery:
Step 1. Download FoneDog iOS System Recovery and connect iPhone
On your computer (Windows or Mac), install FoneDog iOS System Recovery. Launch the software after the installation, click on iOS System Recovery, and connect your iPhone via USB.
Step 2. Select iOS issue and Scan
From the drop-down option on your screen, select the most appropriate issue your iPhone is experiencing. After that, click Start Scan to allow FoneDog iOS System Recovery to run and diagnose your device.
Step 3. Download iOS Firmware
The next part is for you to download the firmware version that will fix all the iOS issues you are having. You can choose from the given compatible firmware versions on the screen. Just click the Download button and agree to its terms and conditions.
FoneDog iOS System Recovery will be the one to download, extract, and install the firmware on your iPhone.
Step 4. Repair
Lastly, FoneDog iOS System Recovery will repair all the issues that could potentially block you from using your iPhone. All you need to do now is wait for FoneDog iOS System Recovery to complete its repair.
Don’t worry, you will be notified when it is safe to disconnect your device and when you can already use it again. In the meantime, avoid using the iPhone while the repair is ongoing.
Part 2. Summary
Why isn’t my iPhone showing up in iTunes? Perhaps your device is experiencing either a hardware or software problem and complete troubleshooting is needed to confirm the real root cause. Fortunately, you no longer need to search and waste a lot of time on the internet to find the best troubleshooting methods.
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We got you covered with the 7 uncomplicated steps you can follow. You may also consider using FoneDog iOS System Recovery for a quicker and better repair option. This software fixes all the iOS issues your phone is having without going through a lot of hassles.
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