iPhone Won’t Connect To Computer – Get The Fix

Generally, iPhones are self-sufficient and independent devices. However, when your iPhone won’t connect to your computer especially if you want to backup data or move large files, it can be frustrating.

There are several reasons why your computer can’t see your iPhone or the device won’t connect. We’re going to show you what to try if your PC or Mac isn’t recognizing your phone via USB cable.

What to do when iPhone won’t connect to computer

Preliminary checks

• Check if the iPhone is switched on, unlocked and has enough battery charge
• Make sure you Trust your computer. If you get a Trust this computer? Notification, tap Trust or the iPhone won’t connect to the computer. If you had tapped Don’t Trust, you can reset the Location & Privacy settings on your iPhone by launching Settings>General>Reset>Reset Location & Privacy to trust the computer again
• Check the USB cable for any faults, and use the cable your iPhone came with originally
• Check USB ports and plug into a different one to see if it works
• Restart the iPhone or the computer to clear up software glitches that can cause it not to connect

Update iTunes

iPhone owners connect to their computers using iTunes whether it’s a Mac or Windows PC. It’s a good idea to make sure you’re on the latest iTunes version as the issue could be coming from software bugs.

Update iOS and driver software

If you’ve tried all the preliminary checks and updated iTunes, try and update your iOS and see if the iPhone connects to your computer after that. For driver software, this applies to Windows users, so update the software that handles the connection between your iPhone and computer.

If you downloaded iTunes from Microsoft Store, use the steps below:

• Unlock the iPhone and connect it to your PC via USB cable
• Close iTunes if it opens
• Right click Start in Windows and select Device manager
• Scroll down and click Portable Devices (or Other Devices or Imaging devices)
• Right click your iPhone’s driver option (can be Apple iPhone, or Apple Mobile device USB driver or Apple Mobile Device)
• Click Update Driver>search automatically for updated driver software
• Disconnect the iPhone and reconnect it back

If you downloaded iTunes from Apple, use these steps:

• Unlock the iPhone and connect to the computer via USB cable (close iTunes if it opens)
• Right click Start and select Run

• Type %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers

• Click OK
• right click usbaapl64.inf file or usbaapl.inf and select Install

Disconnect your iPhone and restart your computer, and then connect the iPhone back.

Reset iPhone to factory settings

To do this:

• Backup your iPhone first so you don’t lose any data
• Open Settings>General
• Tap Reset
• Now tap Reset All Content and Settings

Elsie Otachi

Elsie is a tech writer with 8+ years professional experience. For Tech News Watch, she brings rich experience contributing to topics such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS among others. In her spare time, she loves checking out the latest tech trends, gadgets, and news, listening to music and cars.