How to fix iPhone 16 Pro USB connectivity issues on Windows 10?

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How to fix iPhone 16 Pro USB connectivity issues on Windows 10?

Hey,

So my wife got a new iPhone 16 Pro and I have been trying to set it up for her on the PC as we both sync music via iTunes (although this time I did restore from her iPhone 13 Pro directly first) but I have been having issues getting the pc to recognise the iPhone 16 Pro, anyway I managed in the end to get it to recognise the iPhone, but I can only do this it seems via the USB ports directly into my motherboard and no other USB ports will work either on the back of my PC, or on the front (which is where I would usually plug it as this is the easiest access point.) Oddly though my wife's iPad Air 4 which is connected via the same USB C cable with a USB A adapter works without issues on the front of my PC, so I really am puzzled as to why I can only get the PC to recognise it via the motherboard's USB ports. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated as eventually we will both be using iPhones with USB C (I currently have an iPhone 14 Pro Max).

Thanks,

Ellie

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on May 1, 2025 2:26 PM

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Answer 1

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Sonicchild86 Author

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May 5, 2025 1:23 PM in response to Sonicchild86

Ok so thank you for your suggestion I have had some success but not fully… so I have got iTunes to recognise the phone from the front usb and the iPhone does now appear in my pc, however I cannot access the folders from the iPhone, it either tells me there is nothing on the phone or if it does show folders it only shows about a 1/4 and they’re the oldest ones. I need this to work as I manually back up photos on to my pc. The method that worked was the iTunes suggestion btw. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

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Answer 2

Kurtosis12

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May 1, 2025 3:26 PM in response to Sonicchild86

That would be a question ask the manufacturer of your computer, but first, try a different cable. Also try flipping the USB-C plug over, I know it shouldn't matter but it actually can sometimes.

See if any of this helps -

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

iOS device not showing in iTunes for Windows - Apple Community

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Answer 3

Sonicchild86 Author

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May 1, 2025 4:52 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Yes it is bizarre, ok thank you I will have a look at this to see if there are and see if that makes any difference.

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Answer 4

ChrisJ4203

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234,276 points

May 1, 2025 3:27 PM in response to Sonicchild86

Windows 10 support is coming to an end very soon, and iTunes is not being used now, there is an app Apple Devices in the Microsoft Store to use.

You need to update the OS on your computer to Windows 11 if possible. If it cannot be updated, you need to get a new computer, either Windows 11, or a Mac.

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Answer 5

Sonicchild86 Author

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May 1, 2025 3:57 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Why would I need to get Windows 11, do you just mean because support is ending? The iPhone etc should still connect to my PC, but from the looks of it via the Apple Devices you’ve mentioned. I asked my brother in the past month about upgrading to 11 and he said there is no real reason for me to atm, but I would need to upgrade my computer (we built it) in order to get it to work… but if I can use the Apple Devices app when the time does come that iTunes is no more, then that’s what I’ll do surely?

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Answer 6

Sonicchild86 Author

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May 1, 2025 4:09 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Technically that would be myself and my brother haha.. I’ve spoken to him and he can’t understand it either other than him saying sometimes front usb ports (on a case) aren’t as reliable.. but I’ve never had issue and an iPad Air 4 works fine with the same USB ports… I’ve tried another official Apple cable, doesn’t work either.. I’ll try switching them around and I’ll have a look at the links. Thank you.

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Answer 7

ChrisJ4203

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234,276 points

May 1, 2025 4:12 PM in response to Sonicchild86

No security updates or support will be available for Windows 10. I will tell you that Microsoft has been warning of this for almost a year. The support ends in the fall. I teach Windows at a community college and I will tell you that you should get the update. I'm not sure when the last update came to iTunes, but between the 2, that is probably why the phone is not connecting. Did you try to update iTunes? You can do that through iTunes. When it updates it provides the latest drivers for the phones in iTunes. The Apple Devices app has already been in use for some time.

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Answer 8

Kurtosis12

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May 1, 2025 4:17 PM in response to Sonicchild86

Your brother is correct, for whatever reason the front ports on computers can behave differently than the ports on the rear. I've seen this happen on many computers. I'm not sure why the rear ports aren't working for you, usually those don't have issues.

Who is the manufacturer of the motherboard you are using? You might try going to their website and see if there are any software or firmware updates for that motherboard. Many times those updates can help connectivity issues.

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Answer 9

Sonicchild86 Author

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May 1, 2025 4:25 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Ok, well thank you for your input, but my brother is quite knowledgeable on computers also as he is a computer programmer and has a degree in Computer Science… if I need to update it I will, but only as a last resort as I would have to upgrade my pc and I don’t really want to spend the money on that right now… I’ve just read an article and it says that the Apple Devices etc apps will be the new way to sync etc using windows 10 and 11.. anything below that and you’ll need to upgrade… so I’ll stick with that. Yes I checked for updates but there are none. Thanks

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Answer 10

Sonicchild86 Author

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25 points

May 5, 2025 1:01 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Ok so thank you for your suggestive I have had aome success but not fully… so I have got iTunes to recognise the phone from the front usb and the iPhone does now appear in my pc, however I cannot access the folders from the iPhone, it either tells me there is nothing on the phone or if it does show folders it only shows about a 1/4 and they’re the oldest ones. I need this to work as I manually back up photos on to my pc. The method that worked was the iTunes suggestion btw. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

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Answer 11

Kurtosis12

Level 9

73,462 points

May 5, 2025 1:46 PM in response to Sonicchild86

Updated drivers can make a world of difference.

Several years back the company I work for was using HEC phones for hotspots. We switched over to iPhones and none of the laptops would connect to the iPhone's hotspot. I updated the HP laptop drivers and all was well again.

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Answer 12

Z-Salem

Level 2

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May 6, 2025 12:04 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

ChrisJ4203 - iTunes is still being updated and was only about a month ago. It's been updated three times since iOS 18 came out. Apple Devices is usually not the solution to, well, anything if someone is having trouble with iTunes.

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Answer 13

Kurtosis12

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73,462 points

May 5, 2025 1:23 PM in response to Sonicchild86

Did you update the motherboard drivers/firmware? If so try uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes with the new drivers in place and try it again.

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Answer 14

Sonicchild86 Author

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May 5, 2025 1:37 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Ah no I forgot to try that.. I’ll have a look at that next time. Thank you

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