Windows 10/11 PC users never had to manually install iPhone drivers in order to back up or sync iPhones to Windows PC using iTunes. This seems to have changed with the Store version of the iTunes app for Windows 10/11.
Users who have installed iTunes app from Windows Store seem to be getting a “driver not installed” error when iPhone is connected to the PC. It seems that the Store version of iTunes doesn’t automatically install necessary iPhone drivers (USB device driver) during its installation.
If you are also getting the “driver not installed” error in iTunes for iPhone, you can manually install the required iPhone drivers with ease.
We can use the Windows Update service in Windows 10 to download and install the correct iPhone drivers for Windows 10.
Method 1 of 3
Install iPhone drivers in Windows 10/11 via Windows Update
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to Windows 10/11 PC and launch iTunes.
Step 2: When you get the “driver not installed” error, navigate to Windows 10 Settings app > Update & security > Windows Update. On Windows 11, it’s Settings > Windows Update page. Click on the Check for updates button to automatically download and install iPhone drivers. Windows Update will download and install two small drivers.
Once the necessary drivers are installed, you may close and then launch the iTunes app. iTunes should now detect your iPhone without the “driver not installed” error.
Method 2 of 3
Install iPhone drivers in Windows 10/11 via Device Manager
Step 1: Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button on the taskbar and then clicking on the Device Manager option.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, look for Portable devices (your iPhone must be connected to your PC). Expand Portable devices entry to see Apple iPhone entry. Right-click on the iPhone entry and then click the Update driver option.
Step 3: In the resulting dialog, click Search automatically for the updated driver software option. Windows 10 will automatically download and install the required drivers for your iPhone.
Method 3 of 3
Install iTunes from the Apple website to install iPhone drivers
The classic version of iTunes (available to download from the Apple website) seems to install the required iPhone drivers automatically. So, we suggest you install it instead.
Step 1: Before we install the classic version of iTunes, it’s important to uninstall the Store version. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features page. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps page.
Step 2: On Windows 10, look for the iTunes entry and then click the Uninstall button. On Windows 11, click on the three dots next to the iTunes entry and then click the Uninstall option.
Step 3: Visit this page of Apple and then download the iTunes setup file. Once downloaded, run the setup file to complete the installation. This should install the required iPhone drivers.
