Windows 10/11 PC users never had to manually install iPhone drivers in order to back up or sync iPhones to Windows PC using iTunes. This seems to have changed with the Store version of the iTunes app for Windows 10/11.
Users who have installed iTunes app from Windows Store seem to be getting a “driver not installed” error when iPhone is connected to the PC. It seems that the Store version of iTunes doesn’t automatically install necessary iPhone drivers (USB device driver) during its installation.
If you are also getting the “driver not installed” error in iTunes for iPhone, you can manually install the required iPhone drivers with ease.
We can use the Windows Update service in Windows 10 to download and install the correct iPhone drivers for Windows 10.
Method 1 of 3
Install iPhone drivers in Windows 10/11 via Windows Update
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to Windows 10/11 PC and launch iTunes.
Step 2: When you get the “driver not installed” error, navigate to Windows 10 Settings app > Update & security > Windows Update. On Windows 11, it’s Settings > Windows Update page. Click on the Check for updates button to automatically download and install iPhone drivers. Windows Update will download and install two small drivers.
Once the necessary drivers are installed, you may close and then launch the iTunes app. iTunes should now detect your iPhone without the “driver not installed” error.
Method 2 of 3
Install iPhone drivers in Windows 10/11 via Device Manager
Step 1: Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button on the taskbar and then clicking on the Device Manager option.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, look for Portable devices (your iPhone must be connected to your PC). Expand Portable devices entry to see Apple iPhone entry. Right-click on the iPhone entry and then click the Update driver option.
Step 3: In the resulting dialog, click Search automatically for the updated driver software option. Windows 10 will automatically download and install the required drivers for your iPhone.
Method 3 of 3
Install iTunes from the Apple website to install iPhone drivers
The classic version of iTunes (available to download from the Apple website) seems to install the required iPhone drivers automatically. So, we suggest you install it instead.
Step 1: Before we install the classic version of iTunes, it’s important to uninstall the Store version. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features page. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps page.
Step 2: On Windows 10, look for the iTunes entry and then click the Uninstall button. On Windows 11, click on the three dots next to the iTunes entry and then click the Uninstall option.
Step 3: Visit this page of Apple and then download the iTunes setup file. Once downloaded, run the setup file to complete the installation. This should install the required iPhone drivers.
Alex says
I found the fix! Just open Apple Software Update, and update. After that pc detected my iphone!!
ian says
Thank you
Manny says
Neither method work for me.
Nine says
didn’t work for me !
something wrong with window 10 and IOS latest version
please kindly update and fix it
Guntur says
i tried all methods, still doesn’t work>>>
Peter Bout says
I managed to get it working again by uninstalling iTunes, installing an old version (12.4.3) and updating iTunes using the Apple Updater. I’ll never use the Microsoft Store again;-)
Taleah says
This didn’t work for me neither. I’ve been dealing with this for over a year now. I can’t even find Apple Mobile Support on my computer anymore. And I definitely don’t see any .inf files this is all so frustrating. Pay all this money for this freaking phone only to have y’all make it this difficult to retrieve MY OWN access!!!! Very unprofessional and highly aggravating
reza says
didn’t work to me
i installed apple driver but it isn’t work
saeid says
hello, sorry i have a problem in the step2. the apple phone icon is shown as PTP and yellow color alert.can you help me?
Darron says
This didn’t work for me either. The Windows update service says everything is up to date, It appears that the .inf files aren’t even installed on my PC. How can I get those downloaded.
Keith Gove says
Thanks, option 2 worked.
edson says
thanks for this info
Larry L says
Same problem as Lisa, computer says I have the drivers up to date but I still can’t connect my iPhone to iTunes. Any other suggestions??
rcia says
thank you
Jasper says
Sadly this doesnt work for me. Any other method?
Lisa P says
I have the same problem as Benny – have tried the recommended methods repeatedly, still get the error message in iTunes even though Windows indicates the driver is up to date.
C says
I connect my computer to the internet by tethering it to the iphone, so if the driver is missing from the itunes installed on the computer, I can’t connectnto the internet to get the driver…….Catch 22.
If I use an internet cafe, where can I get the driver from, to load onto a usb, to transfer to my computer?
Benny Perez says
Windows stated the latest driver is already installed. iTunes continues to state there is not an iphone driver in iTunes.
Tshepo says
thank you! this was very much helpful
rb says
thank you.
Clay says
Windows will continuously search for the driver but can never find it. Solutions?
Davin Peterson says
Since Apple is very strict with iOS, it cannot connect to Windows 10 as easily as Android.
This is why Microsoft’s Your Phone app for Windows 10 doesn’t work with iOS.,
It only Apple would open up iOS like Android is.