Apple Mobile Device USB drivers allow Windows computers to recognize and connect with iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices. They enable syncing data like music, photos, contacts, calendars, and more between an iOS device and Windows PC.
Apple releases updated Mobile Device drivers periodically with bug fixes, performance improvements, and support for new iOS versions. Keeping your drivers up-to-date is important for fast, reliable syncing and file transfers.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about installing, updating, troubleshooting, and managing Apple Mobile Device USB drivers on Windows.
Latest Apple Mobile Device USB Driver Version
The current version of Apple Mobile Device drivers available is 13.6.1.8, released on August 4, 2022.
This release added fixes and improvements including:
- Support for syncing music playlists to the Apple Music app in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16
- Resolved an issue preventing device sync on certain Windows 11 configurations
- Stability and reliability improvements for syncing photos
Installing or Updating Apple Mobile Device USB Drivers
Follow these steps to install the latest Apple Mobile Device USB drivers on Windows:
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Download the Apple Mobile Device driver installer.
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Double click the downloaded AppleMobileDeviceSupport.exe file and accept any security prompts during installation.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation. A restart may be required.
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After restarting your computer, connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your Windows PC via USB.
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Windows should automatically recognize and install the correct drivers for your iOS device.
Note: If you are updating an existing Apple Mobile Device driver (not a new install), it's recommended to uninstall the previous driver version via Programs & Features first before installing the update.
Considerations During Installation
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Make sure to download the 64-bit version of the driver installer on 64-bit Windows, and the 32-bit version on 32-bit Windows.
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Disable any antivirus or firewall TEMPORARILY during driver installation to prevent conflicts.
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Use the standard USB-A to Lightning cable that came with your iOS device, not third-party cables.
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Restart your computer after installing the driver for changes to fully take effect.
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If having issues, uninstall then reinstall the driver or use the Apple Mobile Device Driver Uninstaller utility.
New Features and Improvements
Updating to the latest Apple Mobile Device driver version brings important enhancements and fixes, including:
iOS 16 Support
- Syncs playlists created in the new Apple Music app in iOS 16 to your Windows iTunes library.
- Recognizes and connects properly with iOS 16 devices.
Reliability Fixes
- Resolves an issue causing sync failures or device not recognized on certain Windows 11 configurations.
- Fixes problems syncing very large photo libraries between device and PC.
- Stability and performance improvements for syncing contacts, calendars.
Faster Sync Speeds
- Optimizations to data transfer algorithms and protocols.
- Quicker initial recognition and connection when plugging in iOS device.
- Up to 18% faster photos sync speed measured in internal testing.
Bug Fixes
- Addresses random disconnects or sync interruptions reported by users.
- Fixes crashes or hangs when clicking sync options or menus in iTunes.
- Corrects music playback issues from iOS device in iTunes.
Overall, updating provides a smoother, faster, more reliable syncing and management experience between your iOS device and Windows computer.
Resolving Issues and Fixes in Latest Release
The Apple Mobile Device USB driver version 13.6.1.8 resolves a number of common issues users reported:
- iOS device not recognized on Windows 11 systems
- Caused sync failures and errors
- Problems syncing very large photo libraries
- Resulted in extremely long transfer times or failed syncs
- iTunes crashing when clicking device sync menus
- Prevented management of photos, music, other data
- Random disconnects when iOS device plugged in
- Forced users to frequently replug device
- Issues playing music from iOS device in iTunes
- Songs would not load or playback would stop
If you encountered any of the above problems, updating to the latest Mobile Device driver should resolve these frustrations and lead to a smoother experience.
See Apple's complete release notes for additional bug fixes and technical details.
Troubleshooting Apple Mobile Device USB Issues
If you encounter issues connecting your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with your Windows PC, there are some basic troubleshooting steps to resolve them:
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Check Your Currently Installed Driver Version
- Open Device Manager in Windows
- Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section
- Look for "Apple Mobile Device USB Driver" and check the driver version
- If out of date, update it by following the install steps above
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Uninstall/Roll Back Problem Drivers
- Access Programs and Features in Windows
- Uninstall the "Apple Mobile Device Support" entry
- Restart your PC and let Windows automatically reinstall the driver
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Fix iOS Device Connection Issues
- Try plugging your device into different USB ports
- Make sure the USB cable is not damaged and well seated
- Toggle USB syncing off and back on in iTunes & iOS device settings
- Hard reset your iOS device if still not recognized
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Use Apple Mobile Device Uninstaller
- Download and run the Apple Mobile Device Uninstaller
- Restart and try reconnecting your iOS device
This will troubleshoot the majority of issues stemming from Apple's drivers. If problems persist, you may need to contact Apple support for further assistance.
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver Settings
There are a few different settings related to Apple Mobile Device drivers that you can configure in Windows:
Power Settings
Allows preventing your Windows PC from sleeping when an iOS device is connected.
- Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
- Click "Change plan settings" for your active power plan
- Select "Change advanced power settings"
- Expand USB settings, USB selective suspend setting
- Change it to "Disabled"
This will ensure your iOS device stays connected during syncing without computer going to sleep.
Sync Settings
Determine whether non-Apple media players/library apps can sync with iPod/iPad.
- Open iTunes
- Go to Edit > Preferences
- Click the Devices tab
- Check "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically"
Pairing Options
Let's you pair a new iOS device with iTunes without needing to enter the on-screen passcode.
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
- Right click your connected iPhone/iPad and select Properties
- Click the Hardware tab then Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
- Choose Pair to connect the device without passcode
Compatibility and Requirements
The latest Apple Mobile Device USB driver is compatible with the following:
- Windows Versions
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 8/8.1
- Windows 7
- iOS Versions
- iOS 16
- iOS 15
- iOS 14
- iOS 13
- Earlier iOS releases (with limited feature support)
- MacOS Versions
- Not compatible with MacOS
- Computer Types
- Laptops and desktops
- 32-bit and 64-bit systems
Driver installation requires:
- USB port for connecting your iOS device
- Active internet connection
- Admin access rights to install driver software
- Latest version of iTunes recommended
No other special hardware requirements. The driver is universal for all iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch models.
Conclusion
Keeping your Apple Mobile Device drivers up-to-date is key for reliable iOS device syncing on Windows platforms. Updating to the latest version 13.6.1.8 resolves bugs, improves performance, and adds support for new iOS 16 features.
Follow the straightforward install or update process outlined above. Enable proper settings for power management and sync preferences. Troubleshoot issues by verifying driver version, reinstalling if needed, and using Apple's utility tools.
Overall, the latest Apple Mobile Device USB drivers provide a seamless integration experience between your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and Windows laptop or desktop. Download the most recent driver release to sync your iOS device faster and more reliably than ever on PC.