Cannot See iPhone in File Explorer

Hi. How can find a driver that allows me to see my iPhone in File Explorer?

Device hardware ID's...
USB\VID_05AC&PID_12A8&REV_0601&MI_00
USB\VID_05AC&PID_12A8&MI_00

Recently I upgraded the storage on my PC. I have a fresh install of Windows 10, with no third-party security software running. Before the reinstall, the iPhone appeared in File Explorer. Using the same cable, I can see the iPhone in File Explorer on another Windows 10 PC.

I did not want to use iTunes, but I installed it anyway for troubleshooting. When connecting the iPhone, iTunes opens, and sees the phone.

The iPhone shows up as "Apple Mobile Device USB Composite Device" in Control Panel, Hardware, Devices. In Device Manager, "Apple Mobile Device" shows up under USB devices, but under "Other Devices" there is an "iPhone" entry with a yellow "!". (I got the above hardware ID's from this "Other Device".)

So far I've tried uninstalling Apple devices in Device Manager, rebooting, and updating the driver, pointing to the path "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers," but the "Other Devices" iPhone still has a yellow "!" and I don't see the device in File Explorer.

I've looked at a lot of support threads and followed a lot of leads, but so far nothing worked. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

Windows has to load several drivers (from the iTunes installer) to address the different modes that the iPhone can be used in when connected, i.e. data transfer/sync using iTunes or used as a 'removable drive' (controlled by Win 10's Autoplay settings).

Try this:

1. Use Start > File Explorer and navigate to the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers folder. (Or C:\Program Files (86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers if you're not using the 64-bit version of iTunes.)

2. Right-click on the usbaapl64 Setup Information file and choose Install.


3. After confirmation that the device driver has been installed, right-click on the Start button and choose Device Manager.

Hopefully the yellow exclamation mark against 'Other Devices' will have gone and your iPhone will appear in File Explorer.

Hope this helps...

Hi. Thanks very much for the explanation and suggestion! I tried the right-click Install on usbaapl64.inf, and now Device Manager shows "Other devices, PTP" instead of "Other devices, iPhone". (See attached.) I'm not sure what to learn from this, other than Windows does not have the right driver

This was a pain when I reinstalled a few years ago, too, but cannot remember what the fix was. Anyway, it's late here (Japan) so I'm calling it a night.

PTP mode is 'Picture Transfer Protocol' mode, an alternative (and very similar) to USB mass storage transfer mode.

You're almost there but I suggest un-installing and re-installing iTunes so you get a fresh install of the different Apple device drivers needed.

Hope this helps...

bro67 said:

Apple has made changes to make USB connections with iOS through USB connections a lot more secure. That means that if your device is locked and you do not authorize it, it will not show up or make a connection through USB with Windows.

Thanks for the advice! I confirm my phone is unlocked, and it trusts my PC.

Tonight (Japan time) I'll try uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes, as per the Apple KB. I'm not sure what this will accomplish, as I have a fresh install of Win10 and the latest iTunes (installed a couple days ago), but can't hurt to try. Not sure if it matters, but I'll be downloading iTunes from Apple, not from the Microsoft Store.

RickC said:

I suggest un-installing and re-installing iTunes so you get a fresh install of the different Apple device drivers needed.

Okay, I uninstalled iTunes as per HT204275 on Apple's site. Does it matter whether I reinstall the iTunes version from Microsoft or from Apple? The Apple article says "If you have Windows 10, get the latest version of iTunes from the Microsoft Store," so with a heavy heart, that is what I endeavored to do.

My distaste for Microsoft Store and iTunes are near parity, so it's funny that I'm now trying to get one from the other. Microsoft Store required that I jump through several hoops - setting up payment info even though iTunes is "free," using a Microsoft browser (ugh) - concluding the transaction with a "Once your order is processed, we'll send a receipt and any related instructions to (my email address)". I'm not sure how long it's supposed to take, but I haven't received anything in over an hour.

Meanwhile, I could install the Apple version of iTunes. Though really I wonder why iTunes is necessary. I've never installed iTunes on my Surface Pro, and it sees the same iPhone in File Explorer. Heck, even my Ubuntu laptop sees it as a storage device.

rexnewman said:

Meanwhile, I could install the Apple version of iTunes. Though really I wonder why iTunes is necessary. I've never installed iTunes on my Surface Pro, and it sees the same iPhone in File Explorer. Heck, even my Ubuntu laptop sees it as a storage device.

I agree with you about both iTunes and the Store. My iPhone is recognised in all modes by Win 10, as are the iPhones and iPads of my family and friends. None of us use the Store for iTunes (or for anything else really... in fact I only know one person who actually uses a Microsoft account).

Hope this helps...

Hi
I had same issue (Phone not recognised) & needed to update the Itunes on my PC from the windows location & then all worked correctly.

My system has no iTunes installed...

Connecting the iPhone to this system shows up as a USB storage, after the customary permission for accessing the device for iPhone :



Starting in iOS 12.0 I believe, there's a new security setting for USB accessory access to the iPhone:



Check you USB settings and turn it on, if it's off to allow accessing the iPhone...