iTunes doesn't recognize iPad / iPhone - what to do?
If iTunes no longer recognizes your iPad or iPhone or iPod, you usually have to uninstall iTunes and set it up again. We explain the most important steps.
iPad doesn't appear in iTunes - it could be because of that
Usually iTunes starts automatically when you connect your iOS device to the PC and then shows the iPhone or iPad in the "Devices" drop-down menu in the top right of iTunes (see picture).
- If this is not the case, you should first check the connection - i.e. the USB cable - between the computer and iOS device - a plug may be loose or the cable itself may be damaged.
- If you have ruled out this source of error and your iPad / iPhone still does not appear in iTunes, you must delete the program completely and then reinstall it.
- You can remove programs like iTunes under Windows either via the Control Panel - enter "Uninstall a program" in the Windows search in the Start menu and click on the top entry. Or you can use one of the free tools that we present in this practical tip to uninstall.
- Then download the latest version of iTunes and reinstall the software. Attention: iTunes is available for 32 and 64 bit.
What to do if iTunes still doesn't recognize your iPhone?
If the reinstallation of iTunes did not work, you must delete all other Apple programs in addition to iTunes and only then restart iTunes. Specifically, it is about the following tools; pay attention to the correct order when uninstalling:
- iTunes
- QuickTime
- Apple software update
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour
- Apple Application Support
- The exact procedure for this is also described in the practical tip "Remove iTunes completely".
- Then download iTunes and reinstall the program. Your iPad / iPhone should now be recognized again.