PC not detecting your phone over USB? Fixes for Android and iPhone

You plug the phone in, it charges, and Windows acts as if nothing happened. Most of the time it's the cable, the port or a prompt on the phone you haven't seen yet. Start at the top; each step takes a minute.

Start here (Android and iPhone)

• Unlock the phone before you plug it in, and keep it unlocked for the first minute. Phones hide USB prompts on the lock screen.
• Check the cable. Many cables only charge. Use the one that came with your phone, or one sold as a data cable. If Windows makes no sound and the phone shows no USB message when you plug in, try another cable first.
• Use a port on the PC itself: on a desktop, one at the back. Hubs, keyboards and front panels are the usual suspects.
• Restart both. It sounds too simple, but it clears a stuck connection more often than you'd think.

Android

Choose File transfer

Pull down the notifications and tap the USB one. If it says the phone is only charging, choose File transfer. Windows then sees the phone in File Explorer.

Allow USB debugging on the phone

If you use USB debugging, the phone asks Allow USB debugging? the first time it meets a PC. Tick Always allow from this computer and tap Allow. Tapped Deny by mistake? Unplug and plug in again. If it never asks, open Developer options, tap Revoke USB debugging authorisations, and plug in again.

To turn USB debugging on: in Settings → About phone, tap Build number seven times (on some phones it's under Software information, or called Version or OS version). Then find Developer options (under System or Additional settings) and turn on USB debugging.

Close other phone programs

Only one program at a time can hold a phone's USB connection. Phone-maker PC suites, Android Studio and other phone tools can keep it busy. Close them and plug in again. Casttit tells you when this happens: Your phone is busy.

Check the driver

Open Device Manager with the phone plugged in. An unknown device or a yellow warning sign means Windows lacks a driver. Look in Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates, or on your phone maker's website. Casttit's installer sets up the drivers it needs by itself.

iPhone

Trust this computer

The first time, the iPhone asks Trust This Computer? Tap Trust and enter your passcode. Tapped Don't Trust? Unplug and plug in again. If it doesn't ask again, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Location & Privacy, then plug in. (This also resets which apps may use your location.)

The iPhone driver

Windows needs a driver to talk to an iPhone. Apple's comes with Apple Devices or iTunes; Casttit sets up its own the first time you plug in, and Windows asks your permission once. If both are installed, Casttit may ask to set its driver up again: let it. More in iPhone setup.

The cable

Lightning or USB-C, it has to carry data. Apple's own cable, or one certified for iPhone, is the safe choice.

Still nothing?

• Try the phone on another PC, and another phone on this PC. That tells you whether it's the phone, the cable or the PC.
• Using Casttit? See Troubleshooting and send us your logs.