Why is my Windows 10 iPhone not recognized?

When faced with the issue of Windows 10 not recognizing your iPhone, it’s important to follow a systematic approach to diagnose and resolve the problem.
Inspect Hardware Connections:
1. Confirm the USB cable you’re using is not damaged. If possible, switch to an official Apple cable, as third-party cables sometimes cause recognition issues.
2. Test various USB ports. Some might be underpowered or malfunctioning. Ports directly on the motherboard usually offer better connectivity.
Software Checks:
3. Verify that your iPhone is on the latest iOS version. Updates often address connectivity bugs.
4. Make sure your Windows 10 system is fully updated. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates.
Driver Verification:
5. Windows Device Manager should be your next step. Open Device Manager from the Control Panel and confirm the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is visible with no errors.
6. If the Apple driver is not present or shows errors, updating or reinstalling this driver might help. Right-click the driver, select ‘Update Driver Software,’ and follow on-screen instructions.
Software Environment:
7. Disable any third-party security software temporarily. Antivirus or firewall applications can block the necessary communication between your Windows PC and iPhone.
8. Ensure iTunes is up to date. iTunes must match in terms of software updates to ensure compatibility.
Trust Device:
9. Often overlooked, but your iPhone should prompt you to ‘Trust This Computer.’ Ensure the device is unlocked and respond to this prompt to establish a connection.
Alternative Systems:
10. If all else fails, connect the iPhone to another Windows 10 computer to check if the problem persists. This can help determine if the issue is localized to your specific computer setup.
Following these steps methodically should help identify and resolve why your Windows 10 system isn’t recognizing your iPhone.

I had the same issue and I managed to fix it by doing the following: Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version. Sometimes, older versions of iOS might cause compatibility issues with Windows 10. Ensure that you have the latest Windows updates installed. Go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update and check for any pending updates. Disable antivirus software temporarily. Some antivirus programs can prevent the iPhone from being recognized by the PC. Open iTunes and see if an update is available for the iPhone drivers. When you connect your iPhone, a prompt might appear asking to ‘Trust This Computer.’ Make sure to tap ‘Trust’ on your device. Occasionally, the issue could be due to the computer’s registry settings. You can use a registry cleaner or editor to fix any corrupted entries related to USB devices. If possible, try using a different USB port, preferably one directly on the motherboard rather than a front case port. Some front case ports might not provide enough power or data transfer capabilities. Lastly, check the Control Panel under Programs and Features for ‘Apple Mobile Device Support.’ If it’s missing, reinstall iTunes completely, as this package is essential for recognizing the iPhone.

I also faced this problem, and what worked for me might help you too. Here’s a detailed solution based on my experience:
1. Updating Software:
Start by ensuring that both your iPhone and Windows 10 operating system are using the latest software versions. Check for updates in Settings on both devices.
2. Checking Cable and Port:
Change the USB cable you’re using. Ensure it’s an Apple-certified one since generic cables can fail more often. Also, try connecting your iPhone through different USB ports on your computer.
3. Device and Driver Installation:
Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the list. Look for the ‘Portable Devices’ section. If you see your iPhone listed under ‘Portable Devices’ but with a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it and select ‘Update driver.’ In case the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is missing, you might need to reinstall iTunes. Sometimes, uninstalling iTunes and then reinstalling the latest version can automatically install necessary drivers for your iPhone.
4. Trusting Computer Prompt:
Ensure your iPhone is unlocked while connecting to the PC and respond ‘Trust This Computer’ when prompted. This is crucial for first-time setups.
5. Quit Background Apps:
Close down all unnecessary applications running in the background on your Windows system. Specific programs might interfere with the connection between your iPhone and your computer.
6. Execute Simple Restarts:
Restart your iPhone and then your Windows 10 PC. This can flush out any minor bugs or glitches causing the connection problem.
7. Check Service Status:
Sometimes, the issue can be with Apple Mobile Device Service. On Windows, press Windows + R, type “services.msc” and press Enter. Find Apple Mobile Device Service and ensure it’s running. If not, start the service and set the startup type to Automatic.
By following these steps, I managed to fix the issue effectively. Hopefully, these methods will also help you to get your Windows 10 PC to recognize your iPhone.

First, make sure that your USB cable is not faulty. Try using a different Apple-certified cable to connect your iPhone to the Windows 10 PC. If the cable is damaged or not properly connected, your iPhone might charge but not be recognized by the computer.
Ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your Windows 10 system. Sometimes, an outdated version of iTunes can cause recognition issues. You can download and install the latest version from the official Apple website.
Check the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver on your Windows 10 system. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
3. Scroll down and expand the section called ‘Universal Serial Bus controllers.’
4. Look for ‘Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.’ If you see a yellow warning symbol, right-click on it and choose ‘Update driver.’
Restart both your iPhone and your Windows 10 computer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches that might be causing the recognition problem.
Make certain that your iPhone is unlocked and on the home screen when you connect it to the PC. Additionally, you need to tap ‘Trust This Computer’ on your iPhone if prompted. This establishes a secure connection between your devices.
If none of the above steps work, try connecting your iPhone to a different Windows 10 PC. If it is recognized, the issue might be with your current computer.