If an iPhone or iPod touch is not recognized in iTunes on Windows, the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS) may need to be restarted. If AMDS cannot be restarted, you may need to remove and reinstall the service.This document is for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Products Affected
iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes 9 for Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7

Resolution

Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service (AMDS)
Windows XP
1. Close iTunes and disconnect the iPhone or iPod touch.
2. Choose Start > Control Panel.
3. Inside the Control Panel, open Administrative Tools.
4. Open Services.
5. Select Apple Mobile Device and click Stop the service as shown below:

After the service is stopped, Click Start the service.
After the Apple Mobile Device service has started again, open iTunes and connect the device.

Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Close iTunes and disconnect the iPhone or iPod touch.
2. Click the Windows Start button
3. n the Start Search field type Services.
4. In the Programs section of the search results, Click "Services".
5. Select Apple Mobile Device and click Stop the service as shown below:

6. After the service is stopped, click Start the service.
7. After the Apple Mobile Device service has started again, open iTunes and connect the device.

Set the Apple Mobile Device Service Startup type to Automatic
Windows XP

1. Close iTunes and disconnect the iPhone or iPod touch.
2. Choose Start > Control Panel.
3. Inside the Control Panel, open Administrative Tools.
4. Open Services.
5. Right-click on Apple Mobile Device and click Properties in the shortcut menu.
6. Set the Startup type pop-up menu to Automatic and click OK:

7. Open iTunes and connect the device.

Windows Vista or Windows 7

1. Close iTunes and disconnect the iPhone or iPod touch.
2. Click the Windows Start button
3. In the Start Search field type Services.
4. In the Programs section of the search results, click Services.
5. Right-click on Apple Mobile Device and click Properties in the shortcut menu.
6. Set the Startup type pop-up menu to Automatic and click OK:

7. Open iTunes and connect the device.

Remove and reinstall iTunes and AMDS

If the issue continues after restarting AMDS, then you'll need to remove and reinstall AMDS and iTunes.

1. Completely uninstall both AMDS and iTunes.
2. Restart the computer.
2. Download and install (or reinstall) the latest version of iTunes from www.apple.com/itunes. Installing iTunes will also install AMDS.
4..Restart the computer.
5. Start iTunes and connect iPhone or iPod touch. The device should be recognized properly in Windows.