Ways to connect an iPhone to a computer

Method 1: USB cable

The main way to connect iPhone to Windows computer is to use a proprietary USB cable, which usually doesn't require any additional steps. The only thing to do once the connection is established is to unlock the screen of the mobile phone and use the button on the pop-up window "Trust" button.to give access to files.

Read more: Connect iPhone to computer via USB

The connection process will automatically install all the necessary drivers, and this will be enough to view and retrieve the images from the device memory. For more control, you will have to install iTunes along with all associated services and perform synchronization, which is also relevant to the wireless network.

Method 2: Wi-Fi

An equally versatile alternative to the iPhone's classic wired connection is Wi-Fi sync, available only if both devices are connected to the same router and therefore on the same network. The results of such a connection vary widely, from simple file transfers to full remote control of the other device.

Also read: How to connect the phone to the computer

Option 1: iTunes and counterparts

If the wired connection between your iPhone and PC doesn't require any additional tools, you can only use wireless sync after you've installed and configured iTunes. It is important to note that this tool has many alternatives, which are usually capable of installing the necessary libraries on their own.

Also read: Software to sync iPhone and computer

1. To enable wireless connection using iTunes for Windows, you must first download the program from apple's official website or from a separate page in the Microsoft Store, install it and log in. Once finished, you have to connect your iPhone with the original USB cable and allow data reading and transfer.
2. Click the left mouse button on the mobile phone thumbnail on the left side of the program's workspace to move to data synchronization and connection settings. Here you just need to check the checkbox “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi” within the category "Parameters". and use the button "Done"..
3. If done correctly, the device will still be available in the software window after unplugging the USB cable. You can use it for just about anything, from backing up to syncing your local library.

Greater control over the device can only be achieved with third-party software like iMazing, which we discuss in a separate article at the link above. Unfortunately, this connection method is not available in all cases and is only available with the operating system, while DFU mode is limited to the wired interface only.

Option 2: AirPlay

Apple's proprietary data transmission standard, AirPlay, can be used to stream media to a computer in real time, which is relevant to all Internet video and music. The necessary features are not present by default in Windows, but can be easily added by installing LetsView or running the 3uTools 3uAirPlay service.

To make the connection, you need to open a menu in one of the iPhone settings "AirPlay" and select your computer as one of the supported devices. The result, if done correctly, will be an image, sound, or screen at all sent to the computer and displayed in a separate window.

Further information: How to enable AirPlay on iPhone

For many reasons, this type of connection often causes errors that can be problematic to troubleshoot. At the same time, some Windows AirPlay clients allow sound to be transmitted via cable instead of wireless with higher stability.

Option 3: File Management

Many file managers and players for iOS and Windows support synchronization between devices over a wireless network, which can be used to stream video and audio via a server installed on a PC or to transfer files. For obvious reasons, we will not review all existing programs for this purpose, but will limit ourselves to a brief description of two options.

VLC Player

1. The versatile VLC player, installed on iOS, automatically accesses the local file storage of all devices on the same network, including computers. To take advantage of it, you must first open the player, go to the section "Network" tab. and familiarize yourself with the IP address of the block "Access Provision".

   Download VLC Player from the App Store

2. To make your iPhone files available on your local network, select the desired document and place it in the folder "VLC" in the system application "Records".. The exact name and location of the folder can be found by opening the section "Local files.", again, in the tab "Net"..
3. Having solved the configuration of the program and the addition of files, on a computer in any convenient browser, go to the IP address obtained above and inside the block "File Download". save the documents you want. Files can also be added to the iPhone by tapping the icon "+" and select the necessary items on the computer.

The player is not limited to the above capabilities and also supports direct connection to an FTP server, which can be installed and configured on your computer. Most analogs work in much the same way.

home media server

1. You can stream videos or music from your computer to your mobile device by installing and setting up a full DLNA server, which we have discussed separately. Once this program is deployed and running, any compatible app on your iPhone will automatically be able to access the selected files wirelessly.

   More information: Create and configure a home server on your computer

2. One of these applications is the already mentioned VLC Player, which, when run within the category "File Servers". will be displayed on the computer. When you open a folder, you can select a specific file and play it with the built-in player.

This method has practically no drawbacks, since the files retain their original quality during transmission and do not take up additional space in the mobile phone's memory. At the same time, Internet speed may degrade during broadcast, as the load on the router increases considerably.

Option 4: Remote Control

There are many means that allow you to remotely control your computer from your iPhone, including the official Microsoft app. Unfortunately, this only works in the case of PCs, where the remote control function is available by default, while iOS severely restricts any external control.

1. To start the remote control, on the PC you have to open "Settings"., go to category "System" and select "Remote Desktop".. Here it will suffice to activate the option "Turn on remote desktop."Then edit the other available options as desired.
2. Once you have solved your computer, on your mobile device, install the app using the link below and on the home screen press the button "+". Of the many fields presented, it will only be necessary to fill in the main ones, which include "Computer name". и "User account".Depending on what is used on the PC.

   Download Remote Desktop from the App Store

If everything has been done correctly, your computer screen will go into touch control mode and lock automatically. Instead, the mobile device will have full control of the desktop.

Method 3: Bluetooth

Another and last way to connect the iPhone to the computer, which is usually more relevant for laptops, comes down to using Bluetooth. This function, duly labeled, must first be activated in the internal settings of the mobile device.

After activating bluetooth on your iPhone, you have to do the same on the "Settings". of the computer on the corresponding page. This will cause separate items to display on both devices when trying to send files.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to take full advantage of that connection in the case of the iPhone, due to the peculiarities of the platform and the strict adherence to the apple ecosystem. However, even so, it may be enough for the fast transfer of graphic files and the broadcast of signals through the aforementioned AirPlay.

Troubleshooting detection

In all the cases presented, you may experience connectivity problems due to incorrect drivers, the device itself, or the accessories used. Usually the solution is to either replace the USB cable or uninstall iTunes completely, then restart your computer and reinstall iTunes, as described separately.

Read More: Troubleshooting iPhone Detection on PC

Specifically in the case of iTunes, it is important to note that newer versions of the software are not officially compatible with systems below Windows 10, but are quite capable of providing a solution for syncing. Also don't forget about issues on the device, which a simple reboot or soft system reset may be enough to fix.