iPhone or iPod touch not recognized? Restart/Reinstall Apple Mobile Device Service

We’ve recommended the deletion and subsequent re-installation of the Apple Mobile Device components under Mac OS X and resetting the service under Windows for a variety of iPhone issues, including sync problems, problems recognizing the device, problems restoring, and more.

Apple has now echoed this advice in a Knowledge Base document (#306637) specifically for the issue where the iPhone or iPod Touch is not recognized by the host computer. This can be accomplished by the following platform-specifc processes (Apple’s article mentions only Mac OS X):

Mac OS X

Delete the following files:

• /System/Library/Extensions/AppleMobileDevice.kext
• /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DeviceLink.framework
• /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework
• /Library/Receipts/AppleMobileDeviceSupport.pkg

then re-installing the latest version of iTunes.

Windows XP

• Quit iTunes and disconnect the iPhone
• Go to the Start menu, thenthe Control Panel and open Administrative Tools, then Services.
• Select “Apple Mobile Device” then “Stop the service.”
• After it is stopped, click “Start the service.”
• Connect the iPhone again, launch iTunes and check for recognition.

Windows Vista

• Quit iTunes and disconnect the iPhone
• Go to “Start,” then search for “Services”
• In Programs, click “Services”.
• Select “Apple Mobile Device” then “Stop the service.”
• After it is stopped, click “Start the service.”
• Connect the iPhone again, launch iTunes and check for recognition.

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