How to get Apple Devices (Preview) working in Windows 11 - Respond with your solutions, too.
⊞ Windows 11 Troubleshooting for Apple Devices app
Pre-requisites:
- Make sure your Apple Device OS (iOS, iPadOS, etc.) is updated above versions 15
Settings >
General >
About >
Locate your OS version (i.e. iOS Version 16.4)
- Turn off Lockdown Mode.
This can be done in:
Settings >
Privacy & Security >
(scroll all the way down) — Lockdown Mode (On / Off) >
(scroll down) and Turn Off Lockdown Mode; Enter your Passcode and wait for your device to restart. You can re-turn it on after disconnecting your device.
- Do Not use a Multi-port Dongle. Use either a direct cord with a USB-C end (if your computer does not have USB A 1–3 ports), or a conversion add-on to convert your USB A 3 charger plug to a USB-C. If your computer / device has a USB A port, you can connect directly to that if your charger cord has a USB A plug.
Examples of USB-C items mentioned:
> iPhone / iPad USB-C Charger Cord (Amazon)
> USB-A (1–3) -To- USB-C Converter Add-on (Amazon)
On Your PC, turn off your VPN (Virtual Private Network). This may or may not intrude, but this helps.
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Once Prequisites are checked:
- Plug your Apple Device into your computer / device. Wait for:
- Windows 11 to load up your Apple Device (check your File Explorer)
- You will get the “Photos & Videos” Prompt on your Apple Device, Press “Allow”.
- You will get the “Trust this Device / Computer” Prompt, Press “Trust” (this may happen more than once).
2. Open Apple Devices app (your PC). Wait 10–20 seconds. Apple needs to put a loading icon on this process.
3. Your Apple device will appear below “Devices” (top-left-hand column). If it does not, click on Devices, and your Apple device will appear below in a separate list.
4. Then, wait for your device to load up. You can choose how you want to sync, backup, restore, encrypt your backup, and update your Apple Device directly from Apple Devices (Preview). Your Apple device must be connected for the duration of using Apple Devices.
You can press the Triangle “Eject” icon to left of your device to stop the Apple Devices app from accessing your device (make sure to wait for it to disappear from list)—* NOTE* — you still have to eject your your actual device from your computer to safely remove and unplug your device.
5. From Apple Devices, you can also find your Files from your other apps, as well as how to sync and backup your Photos to your computer. You can use the existing Microsoft Photos App to organize your Photos (your phone will appear in the left-hand column to import new photos to your PC).
6. Similar to the new MacOS versions, iTunes has been replaced with separate apps for each of the different Media types. On Apple Devices, you will need to download these separately:
- For TV / Movies / Video / Apple TV+ Streaming : Apple TV (Preview)
- For Music / Albums / Streaming Music : Apple Music (Preview)
- For accessing your Apple Account / iCloud / iCloud Photos : iCloud app
- - — Additionally, you can access your iCloud data online at iCloud.com
7. To use iCloud.com, make sure that “Access iCloud Data on Web” is turned on.
To do this go to:
Settings >
Your “Name”Apple ID account (just below the word “Settings”) >
iCloud (with the iCloud icon) and your GB number plan >
(scroll all the way down) and see if the button has been switched to “on” for Access iCloud Data on Web (if not turned on, it will give you some confirmation prompts to agree with to do so).
8. In iCloud.com, you will also have access to other Apple specific apps such as:
Find My ( locate your Apple Device (must be turned on, on your device)
Pages (Apple’s “Word” document app)
Numbers (Apple’s “Excel” spreadsheet app)
Keynote (Apple’s “PowerPoint” presentation app)
Notes ( notepad app)
Reminders (reminder app)
Mail (email web client app)
Calendar (web calendar app)
Photos (Apple’s “Microsoft Photos” photos app)
Contacts (contacts app)
iCloud Drive ( your online “File Explorer” / Finder / Files app)
& More (like Data Recovery, HomeKit Secure Video, etc.)
9. If you need to access your Apple ID (your main Apple account), visit:
- Here you can access your login information, subscriptions, payment, and other details.
10. More Apple Media:
To learn more about what’s going on with Apple, visit Apple Newsroom.
Learn, Watch and Find Support on Apple Support YT Channel.
Apple Content & Event Videos on Apple YT Channel.
International Apple YT Channels (click here).
Apple Music Interviews and Concerts on Apple Music YT Channel.
Find what’s playing on Apple TV + on Apple TV YT Channel.
