iPhone 13 not detected by iTunes? Here’s how to fix it

If iTunes won’t recognize iPhone 13, here’s how to fix the problem.

Many people have stopped using the desktop version of iTunes entirely, instead relying on wireless syncing, which is often much more convenient. If you still connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable, though, you might sometimes run into a problem in which iPhone 13 is not detected by iTunes. If you can’t get iTunes to recognize or connect to your iPhone 13, this can happen for many reasons, including dirty Lightening Port, damaged USB cable, broken USB port or software incompatibility. Thankfully, there are some simple fixes you can try to get connected.

If you are facing the problem of iPhone 13 not detected by iTunes, there are some simple troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the problem.

• Make sure iTunes is up to date, your phone is unlocked, and you’re allowed the iPhone to trust your computer.
• You should also restart the computer and iPhone and make sure the USB cable is not damaged.

If you have no clue what’s causing this problem, walk through the below methods one by one. Each tip resolves a certain problem with iTunes not recognizing iPhone 13, so keep trying them until it’s solved.

How to fix iTunes not recognizing iPhone 13 issue

Here’s a look at seven ways you can fix your computer-to-phone connection when iTunes is not recognizing iPhone 13.

Note: information in this article applied to iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Make sure iTunes has the latest updates

Are you using the latest version of iTunes? If it’s out of date, there could be a software incompatibility or bug preventing your iPhone 13 from connecting properly. Apple notifies you that there’s a new version of iTunes automatically when you start the app, so if you see an update notification, don’t cancel it — install the update.

Make sure your iPhone is unlocked

Sometimes it’s the really simple things that can fix a perplexing glitch. If you’re having trouble with iTunes recognizing your iPhone 13, close iTunes and then unlock your iPhone and be sure it’s on the Home screen (not an app screen). Restart iTunes and see if that solves the problem.

Let your iPhone trust this computer

When you connect your iPhone to your computer, you might see a message on your iPhone asking if you can trust this computer. If you do, don’t ignore or dismiss this window — tap Trust. iTunes won’t be able to connect to your iPhone unless you confirm the phone can trust this PC.

Restart your iPhone and computer

It’s likely that the reason iTunes won’t recognize iPhone 13 is that there’s some sort of temporary software glitch. That’s especially true if you can usually connect, but it’s not working right now. To eliminate most software issues, restart both your iPhone and computer.

Remove the cable connecting your iPhone and computer. Then restart your computer in the usual way: Click Start, followed by the Power icon and then Restart. After that, restart your iPhone. Start iTunes and reconnect your iPhone.

Replace your USB cable

iTunes not recognizing iPhone 13 could be due to many reasons, but the cable is one of the first things to check. Especially if it’s an accessory you’ve had for a long time. Our cables go through plenty of torture. They go with you to many places, not to mention we can often step or trip on them, they often get tangled up, we throw them in bags carelessly, and so on.

Inspect your lightening cable thoroughly and see if there are any evident signs of damage. Any rips, bends, cuts, or general damage will be a good reason for cables not functioning correctly. Try the cable on another device or just replace it with another cable and try again.

Try a different USB port on your computer

If your cable work with other devices, it’s time to start looking at your computer. A common culprit is the USB port. For starters, go ahead and check if there is any dirt or debris in the port. Something as simple as a dirty port will mess up your charging. You can try cleaning it with a brush or compressed air. You can also try moving the cable to another USB port, if possible, and see if that solves your problem.

Clean your iPhone’s port

If iTunes still isn’t recognizing iPhone 13, then the culprit could be debris in your lightening port. Dust particles can quickly accumulate in the lightening inlet and hinder your iPhone 13 connection to iTunes.

Inspect your phone’s lightening port and if you notice a buildup of dirt or other grime, clean it. You can do this easily by gently scrubbing the area with a dry cotton swab. Keep a light touch and don’t go ramming anything too far into your lightening port.

To have a better look at what’s going on inside your port, use a flashlight to fully inspect the area. If you notice any foreign debris stuck inside, you can do heavier cleaning using a SIM ejector tool or a toothpick. After giving your port a good cleaning, try to connect your iPhone to iTunes again.

Fixed iTunes not recognizing iPhone 13

If iTunes doesn’t recognize iPhone 13. There are a number of probable causes. At first, it might seem like iTunes is never going to recognize iPhone 13. However, with the methods above, you should successfully get connected.