Windows 11 Doesn’t Recognize My Apple Device – Three Fixes

Things to Know

• Your Windows PC should recognize your iPhone or iPad as soon as you plug it in. If it doesn’t, that could indicate either a hardware or software fault.
• The first thing to check is your cable — try a spare cable if you have one or borrow one from a friend, family member, or colleague.
• If the cable is fine, you may need to search for the device in Windows File Explorer or reinstall the Apple Devices App.

Fix 1: Windows Doesn’t Recognize Apple Device Due to Cable Issues

Step 1. Plug your iPhone or iPad into your computer. You should hear a chime or notice a brief vibration from your Apple device. If connected successfully, you will see a popup asking what you want to do with the device.

Step 2. If this doesn’t happen, the most likely cause is a faulty or incorrectly inserted cable. Check that the cable is properly inserted at both ends. This is particularly crucial with USB-A cables, as they can be trickier to insert than either USB-C or Lightning connectors. If it looks like this:

Step 3. Push it in gently until it looks like this.

Step 4. If your Windows 11 still doesn’t recognize your Apple device, try a spare cable if you have one, or borrow one from a friend or colleague that you know definitely works.

Fix 2: Check Windows File Explorer

Step 1. You might think your computer hasn’t recognized your Apple Device when it actually has. To check, open your File Explorer.

Step 2. Select This PC from the left-hand menu. If you can see Apple iPhone/iPad in the main window, you are successfully connected.

Fix 3: Uninstall and Reinstall Apple Devices

Step 1. Sometimes Windows doesn’t recognize Apple devices because the correct apps aren’t installed, or they have glitched. You may also find that even when you can see your iPhone or iPad in Windows Explorer, it still won’t show in the Apple Devices app. To remedy this, you’ll need to uninstall and reinstall the app. Start by heading to settings. You can either press the Windows key with I, or search for settings on the taskbar, as shown.

Step 2. In settings, click on Apps on the left-hand side followed by Installed apps.

Step 3. Scroll until you see Apple Devices, and click the three dots — this is the More Options button.

Step 4. Click on Uninstall to start removing the app from your computer.

Step 5. Once the app has disappeared from the app list, open the Microsoft Store. You can search for “Store” using the search function in the taskbar if you don’t have a shortcut.

Step 6. Search for Apple Devices, and when you find the app, click “Get” or “Install”. Follow the onscreen prompts, then click “Open” when the option becomes available.

Step 7. Follow any onscreen prompts including accepting the licensing agreement.

Step 8. When prompted, connect your Apple device to your Windows machine.

Step 9. You should now see that your iPhone or iPad is recognized by Apple Devices and ready to use. If you’re prompted to “Trust this device,” make sure you agree in order to maintain the connection between your devices.