If your iPhone is not showing up in iTunes, the problem could be due to various reasons, ranging from minor technical glitches to corrupted drivers on your computer.
iPhone Not Showing up in iTunes
In general, iPhone shows up in the top-menu bar in iTunes as soon as you plug your device into the USB port of your computer.
If iPhone does not show up in iTunes, you won’t be able Backup iPhone to computer, Restore iPhone from Backup, Update iOS Operating system and perform other tasks.
So, let us go ahead and take a look at some of the methods to fix the problem of iPhone Not Showing Up in iTunes.
1. Try Another USB Port
Remove iPhone from its current USB Port (or USB HUB) and plug it directly into another USB port on your computer.
This simple fix should work, if the problem was due to a faulty USB port on your computer or the USB HUB was not working properly.
2. Restart iPhone
Restarting iPhone helps in clearing out minor glitches and software bugs that might be preventing it from showing up in iTunes.
1. Unplug iPhone from the Computer.
2. Go to Settings > General > scroll down and tap on Shut Down.
3. Wait for 30 seconds and Restart your iPhone.
After iPhone Restarts, plug it back into the computer and see if it is now appearing in iTunes.
3. Restart Computer
Just like iPhone, your computer might be suffering from stuck programs and software glitches.
1. Remove iPhone and other plugged devices from your computer (Except Keyboard and Mouse).
2. Shut Down the Computer > Wait for 60 seconds and Restart your Computer.
3. Open iTunes on your computer > Plug iPhone into the USB Port of the computer.
3. Reset Location & Privacy
Unplug iPhone from the computer and follow the steps below to Reset Location and Privacy settings on your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > tap on Reset.
2. On the Reset screen, tap on Reset Location & Privacy Option.
3. Plug iPhone back into the USB port of your Computer.
4. You should now see Trust this Computer prompt on your iPhone > Tap on the Trust option.
Once you Trust the computer, your iPhone should show up in iTunes.
4. Update iTunes Software
Make sure that the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer.
1. Open iTunes on your Windows computer.
2. Click on the Help tab in top menu bar and select Check for Updates. in the drop-down menu.
If you are on Mac, click on Apple Logo > About This Mac > Software Update.
5. Update Apple Mobile Device Driver
Sometimes, the problem is due to outdated or corrupted driver software on your computer.
1.Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manger.
2.On Device Manager screen, expand Portable Devices entry, right-click on Apple iPhone and click on Update Driver option.
3. On the next screen, select Search automatically for updated driver software option.
4. After the Software is installed, open iTunes > reconnect iPhone to computer and see if it is now showing up in iTunes.
6. Update Apple Mobile USB Device Driver
1.Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manger.
2.On Device Manager screen, expand Universal Serial Bus Devices entry, right-click on Apple Mobile Device USB and click on Update Driver option.
3. On the next screen, select Search automatically for updated driver software option.
After the Driver Software is installed, open iTunes > reconnect iPhone to computer and see if it is now showing up in iTunes.