Fix ‘Device Is Unreachable’ Error on iPhone while Transferring Files to Windows 11

Are you trying to transfer some files from your iPhone to Windows 11? Instead of files moving successfully, you get an error message “device is unreachable”. In this guide, I will explain to you some troubleshooting tips to resolve this problem and transfer your files from iOS to Windows without any hassle. Also, I have discussed why this error happens.

Primarily, the device is unreachable error message may occur due to incorrect connectivity. This means the USB port to which you are connecting the iPhone may have been damaged. So, the connection is being denied, which is why you are seeing the error message.

As per a few users, having the iCloud Photos sync disabled has often shown them the device is unreachable when they attempt to transfer photos from iPhone to Windows computer. If we look at issues on the Windows side, the USB driver of the PC may require an update. Otherwise, it could just be a random minor glitch.

Fix ‘Device Is Unreachable’ Error on iPhone while Copying Files to PC

Here in this section, I have outlined several fixes that can help you fix the “device is unreachable” error message.

1. Restart the Computer

It could be just a glitch appearing out of nowhere due to a crash in the previous session or some bug caused due to the Windows OS version currently installed on the PC. Restarting often fixes these kinds of small issues.

1. Press the Windows key on the keyboard.
2. Navigate to the power icon at the bottom right corner from the Windows Search Console.
3. Click on the Power icon.
4. Then select Restart.
   
5. After the device restarts, reconnect the iPhone with the PC and check if you are now able to send your files across the devices.

2. Force Reboot iPhone

If restarting the computer did not bring any positive result in fixing the “device is unreachable” error, then you may try to force reboot your iPhone. Here are the steps for force restarting various models of iPhones.

iPhones with Touch ID and Face ID

1. Press and release the volume up button.
2. Next, press and release the volume down button.
3. Quickly long press the side button.
4. Wait for the Apple logo to appear, after which you can release the side button.

If you have an iPhone 7, press the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously until the Apple logo flashes on the display.

For iPhone 6 Series users, simultaneously press the Sleep/wake button, which you will find above the iPhone, along with the home button. Keep pressing until the Apple logo appears, indicating that the boot has taken place.

3. Connect the iPhone Cable to A Different USB Port

If the USB port on the computer is damaged due to some hardware issue, then no connectivity will be formed. So, try to connect to alternative USB ports on the computer. You may also consider getting a multi USB hub that connects to the PC via USB.

As we are discussing hardware issues in this troubleshooting, make sure to check that the cable of the iPhone is not faulty by any means. Usually, Apple’s products are thoroughly quality checked before being dropped into the market, but we cannot rule out such hardware snags.

4. Enable Retaining Original Format of Photos

When you transfer an image file from iPhone to Windows, during the move process, the image quality is adjusted to avoid any incompatibility issue, which may cause the PC to not open the file stating it as a large file.

Sometimes, you need to ensure to retain the image’s original quality, whichever other platforms like Windows or macOS the image may be transferring to. Doing this has solved the “device is unreachable” error for some iPhone users. You may try this trick as well.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Photos and tap on it.
   
3. Now, scroll to the tab Transfer To Mac or PC.
4. Under that, tap on the option Keep Originals.
   

5. Ensure the iCloud Photos is Enabled on iOS

Check that on your iPhone iCloud Photos is enabled or not. if not, then enable them by,

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on the Apple ID at the top of the Settings section.
   
3. Under that, tap on iCloud.
   
4. Then tap on Photos.
   
   
5. And inside it, enable the toggle beside the option iCloud Photos.
   

6. Update USB Driver on the Windows Computer

If no connection is being formed between the iPhone and the Windows computer after repeated attempts, you need to check whether the USB driver on the Windows PC may require an update. These are normally updated automatically, but you can perform a manual update as well.

1. Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows + X.
   
2. Then under Device Manager, navigate to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
3. Click on that to expand and see its components.
4. Right-click on Intel R USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller and select Update Driver.
   
5. Then let the windows search automatically for drivers and install them.
6. You may also choose to reinstall the drivers.  For that, you have to select the option Uninstall Device from the menu.
   
7. Once you uninstall the driver, you can restart the PC, and the drivers will get reinstalled.
8. After updating the drivers, the connection between the iPhone and the computer should be formed. Do check that out.

So, these are the various ways by which you can fix the issue of the “device is unreachable error” when trying to transfer files from iPhone to Windows 11.