iPhone 8 Plus Not Recognized by iTunes or Computer? Here’s How to Fix It

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One of the biggest perks of owning an iPhone is having iTunes to manage your content, backups, and software updates — whether you’re on a Mac or Windows PC. But sometimes when you plug in your iPhone 8 Plus, iTunes doesn’t recognize it — or your computer won’t even detect the phone at all. If that’s what’s happening to you, don’t worry. Here’s why it happens and how to fix it.

Why Your iPhone 8 Plus Isn’t Recognized

There are really two possible causes:

  • A software glitch (either on your iPhone or computer)
  • A hardware issue (bad cable, broken port, or other physical damage)

Most of the time, it’s something simple you can fix without needing a repair.

How to Fix iPhone 8 Plus Not Being Recognized by iTunes

1. Restart Both Devices

A quick reboot clears temporary glitches on both your computer and iPhone.

  • Restart your computer the usual way.
  • Restart your iPhone 8 Plus: Press and hold the Side button until the slide to power off prompt appears. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

Pro Tip:
Try plugging your iPhone into a different USB port after rebooting.

2. Use an Official Apple or Certified Lightning Cable

Damaged or third-party cables are a common reason for connection problems.

  • Always use the cable that came with your iPhone.
  • If possible, try another genuine Apple Lightning cable to see if that solves it.

3. Tap “Trust This Computer” on Your iPhone

When you plug your iPhone in, you should see a pop-up asking if you want to trust this computer.

  • Unlock your iPhone.
  • Tap Trust when prompted.

Without tapping Trust, your iPhone won’t connect properly.

4. Update iTunes and Your Computer’s Software

Outdated software often causes communication issues.

  • On Windows:
    Open iTunes > Click Help > Check for Updates.
  • On Mac:
    Open the App Store > Go to Updates tab.
  • Also, update your computer’s operating system and your iPhone (Settings > General > Software Update).

Then reboot everything again for good measure.

5. Update iPhone Drivers (Windows Only)

If you’re on Windows, outdated drivers could be the problem.

  • Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Device Manager.
  • Find Apple iPhone under “Unspecified” or “Portable Devices.”
  • Right-click and select Update Driver.
  • Choose Browse my computer > Navigate to:
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers

Install the latest driver if available.

Extra Fixes If Nothing Else Worked

Uninstall and Reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver (Windows Only)

  • Open Device Manager.
  • Under USB Controllers, find the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.
  • Right-click > Uninstall.
  • Disconnect your iPhone.
  • Reconnect — Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.

Forget Your iPhone in Network Settings (If Using Hotspot Features)

  • Go to Manage Networks on your computer.
  • Find your iPhone > Forget it.
  • Reconnect by turning on your mobile hotspot and re-pairing.

This doesn’t usually fix iTunes issues, but if you’re using a Hotspot or tethering, it might help.

Uninstall Third-Party Security Software (Mac)

Security apps on Mac can sometimes block connections to iPhones.

  • Hold Option > Click Apple menu > System Information.
  • Go to USB section.
  • If your iPhone appears under USB, your Mac sees it but something (likely a firewall or antivirus) is blocking it.

Temporarily uninstall third-party security apps and see if your iPhone shows up properly.

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