Fix iPhone Files Not Showing Up on PC Easily [Top 6 Ways]

Why is your iPhone files not showing up on PC? Read this post to learn why this issue happens and how to fix the issue of “iPhone connected to PC but not showing files”.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on September 30, 2024

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Now you want to transfer some data from your iPhone to your PC, but when you connect your iPhone to your PC, you find iPhone files not showing up on PC. If your iPhone shows up as a portable device on your PC, but you can't find the data you need. Don't worry too much, this guide will tell you why iPhone files are not showing up on Windows 11/10/8/7 computer and how to fix iPhone not showing files on PC.

Why Is iPhone Files Not Showing Up on PC?

Many reasons are causing “iPhone connected to PCbut not showing files”. Here are some common reasons listed below:

• Connection issue: There could be some problem with your USB and USB port.
• Your iPhone is unlocked: You need to unlock your iPhone and trust the connected computer. So the PC can access your device.
• iOS issue: Sometimes, an iOS can have some unknown bug cause issues.
• Outdated Apple Device Service or it is corrupted: Apple device service is an important driver to connect your iPhone and Windows.

How to Fix the "iPhone Files Not Showing Up on PC" Issue

When you can't see iPhone files (photos, live photos, videos), you can try the following methods to fix it. Or you can turn to the Bonus Tip to get an alternative way to easily access and transfer files between iPhone and PC.

Solution 1. Use another USB port and certificated USB cable

A connection issue can be the reason why your iPhone files not appear on your PC. You can change another USB port on your computer to fix "iPhone connected to computer but no files". In addition, Please make sure you are using the official or certificated USB cable.

Solution 2. Unlock your iPhone 

You can unlock your iPhone before you connect your iPhone to your computer. You will need to use your Touch ID, Face ID, or passcode to unlock your device then you can access your iPhone files on your PC. After unlocking the device, you can go to "This PC" > "DCIM" folder to see if you can see your iPhone files. 

Solution 3. Trust your computer

Once you connect your iPhone and computer, it prompts a message to ask if the computer can be trusted. So the PC can access your computer. If you ignore it or don't trust it, your iPhone file not showing up on PC.

If you don't see the message, you can unplug and connect your iPhone to computer again. Then the message will appear, and just tap Trust.

trust your device

Solution 4. Update iOS version

There is the possibility that an unknown iOS bug causing this "iPhone files not showing up on PC" issue. So when you are unable to see your iPhone data on your computer or not all iPhone photos and files appear on your computer, you can see if there are any newer iOS versions. It iOS glitch may be fixed on the latest version. Here are the steps to update your iPhone.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap General > Software Update.

ios software update

Step 2. Wait for a while. Then the device will search for any new available iOS. If there is, you can tap the "Download and Install" button to update your iOS.

Solution 5. Enable the original format of iPhone photos

iPhone gives you the option to change iPhone photo format when you transfer iPhone photos to computer. But sometimes, it may cause your photo unable to be viewed on your computer. Here are how to use the original photo format.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone and choose Photos.

Step 2. Make sure Keep Original is selected under Transfer to Mac or PC.

iphone keep original

Solution 6. Use the most compatible format 

You can store your taken photos in High-Efficiency or Most Compatible format. Usually, High-Efficiency called HEIC is not compaitble with Windows. So you may encounter "Can't view iPhone photos on PC" issue.

To change the format, go to Settings on your iPhone > Choose Camera > Formats > Most Compatible.

Solution 6. Update or reinstall Apple Device Service

If you can't access iPhone files on PC, an Apple device service (driver) is necessary. It builds a connection between your iPhone and your computer. If 

Step 1. Run the Device Manager, and locate the Portable Devices.

Step 2. Right-click the Apple iPhone, and choose Update Driver.

Step 3. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

automatically update driver

Bonus Tip: Easily and Quickly Transfer Files Between iPhone and PC

After trying all the solutions above, but still can't fix the "iPhone connected to computer but no files" problem. Maybe you can try an alternative way to transfer files between iPhone and a Windows computer. When your iPhone files not showing up on PC when connected, you can turn to AOMEI FoneBackup. It is a professional and popular iPhone data transfer software that lets you view and transfer iPhone photos, videos, songs, and contacts on PC and you can transfer them to a computer, flash drive, or external hard drive.

Key features of AOMEI FoneBackup:

• Fast transfer speed: It gives you a fast speed to share files between iPhone and PC to save you time.
• Select and preview: You can transfer all photos, videos, music, contacts, etc. to PC. or just transfer selected items.
• Easy-to-use software: With a user-friendly interface. Anyone can easily share data between iOS device and Windows PC. 

Here you can click the button to get AOMEI FoneBackup. And we will show you how to use it this tool.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 1. On the Home interface, click Phone Transfer. Go to iPhone to PC and click Get Started.

Transfer to Computer

Tip: AOMEI FoneBackup also supports transferring files from PC to iPhone. You choose "PC to iPhone" to transfer photos, videos, contacts, and music from PC to iPhone.

Step 2. Click the plus icon and then you can access all iPhone photos, music, videos, and contacts. If you want to transfer some of them to computer, please select the specific files and click OK.

Choose Photos

Step 3. Choose a folder to save your files from the Transfer Settings option > Click Start Transfer to begin.

Transfer

Final Words

That’s all about iPhone files not showing up on PC. If you can't access and view iPhone files on Windows, you can try the solutions in this post. In addition, AOMEI FoneBackup can be a good alternative way to transfer data between iPhone and computer. 

For more queries, suggestions, and feedback, please feel free to contact us.

Lena
Lena · Editor
Lena is an editor of Aomei, with years of experience in the field of mobile data backup and transfer, possessing rich expertise in solving iOS-related issues. She loves traveling, eating, reading and so on. She takes most of her time with her family when she is not working.