Many iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Windows users are reporting that they have been receiving an error message saying “A device attached to the system is not functioning” (see the image below).
This error message occurs because your computer is not properly communicating with your iOS device. This could be because of many reasons, for example:
- Your iPhone or iPad is not connected to your computer properly
- Your computer’s USB port may not be working
- Your USB cable may not be working
You may see this error when you attempt to copy and transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Windows PC. This short article explains what you can do to fix this problem.
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- Reconnect your iPhone to iPad to your computer. Try a different USB port. Try a different USB cable.
- Restart your computer and your iOS device. You can turn off your iOS device by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. Then you can restart. Restart your PC also.
- On your iOS device, go to Settings > Photos and scroll down, find the “transfer to Mac or pc” section. And select “Keep Originals”.
- On your computer, switch between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.
- Update iTunes to the latest version on your PC. There are two ways to do this depending on your initial installation. If you downloaded iTunes from Apple’s web site, in iTunes, choose Help > Check for Updates. If you downloaded iTunes from Microsoft Store, on your computer, go to Start > Microsoft Store > More… > Download and Updates.
See also: How To Transfer Photos & Videos From iPhone & iPad To Computer (Mac or Windows)
1 hour of troubleshooting.. I had some SnapChat Spectacles with a ton of videos in my Camera Roll. I previously used My Computer -> and Copy & Paste the photos over to my external hard drive off the iPhone, and then delete them in windows explorer. However, ever since getting these SnapChat sunglasses w/ camera taking movies, I kept getting the device not functioning when trying to backup my camera roll — very annoying. After updating every IOS and installing iTunes for PC (which I never have used!) – it still did not fix it.
Thankfully the below solution solved my issue:
On your iOS device, go to Settings > Photos and scroll down, find the “transfer to Mac or pc” section. And select “Keep Originals”.
Then you can copy the photos & vids as you use to do with no issue.
Hope this helps someone
thanks buddy, I will try this out and report back – “keep originals”
Thank you so much to the first commenter! This has been driving me nuts and you finally solved it for me!
You are the best! This worked perfectly. Thank you!
The problem I have had when using :keep originals” is that it transfers everything into
my PC with HEIC format. The thumbnails won’t display without freeware, and the pictures look terrible unless I convert them to .jpg. Pretty tough to do with over 700 pics at a time.
BRU!!! thank you for the solution. so appreciated it!
thank you!
Thank you! It helped 🙂
I did this but I’m trying to copy the video and the it seems to be slow motion…. I have a large video worth 14gb
Why is it like that when the file is set to automatic… the video files are bigger?
ohhh thank you!!! this is really help!!!!!!! i finally can move my video and photos out & clear my storage!! million thanks!
Thank you! It helped
IphoneX/Windows 7;
Changing this setting may only work on windows 10… the setting turns off the file conversion from Apples new HEIC file format to JPG. Windows 7 doesn’t support HEIC file format so the contents ends up useless with this “keep originals” settings. So…. What else ya got?
I have been dealing with this problem for months, only able to move a few videos and photos at a time. It has really driven me crazy. I have an iPhone X transferring to a Microsoft Surface Book 2.
I am very pleased to say that “Keep Originals” has COMPLETELY solved the problem! So damn happy, you cannot believe. Thank you!
If your iPhone is background downloading an update and your iPhone is nearly out of space you will see this error. Eventually you’ll get the “need to free up some space” error on your iPhone. Only fix is to clean up your phone by removing/backing up files..the very thing you can’t do when you get this error. So damn frustrating.
Thank you! That worked! A very frustrating problem with an an infuriatingly quick and easy fix.
This solution does not work for any OS below 10. The format isn’t compatible, and therefore the only part of the file that transfers is the audio, no video. Any other (reasonable) solutions to this ridiculous, hair-pulling issue? I’ve tried just about everything short of upgrading the OS, which isn’t an option. Thank you!
This fixed my problem!! Thank you so much!!
It appears to be related to only certain files. Attempt the transfer in smaller batches and you’ll be able to locate which it is and avoid it. You could then save them to drop box and retrieve them.
ive tried everything and it hasnt worked! Ive been struggling with the storage issue for months now, everytime im able to transfer parts of subfolders before getting this error or the error “device is unreachable”. Ive tried restarting, trying different cables,trying out other ports, changing setting to “keep Original” nothing is working.. Both my phones 60GB and 100+ GB are full, ive had to delete all my apps just to be able to use whatsapp.. please help
Holy cow! Not only did this solve the same error for me, it made my transfers seem to go 10x as fast! Thank you!
It also happens if you have a VM running which detects the USB connected phone. I had to turn off my VM and it worked without any issues. Also the transfer speed increased significantly after this.
what is a VM ????
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > Never
Dude, THANK YOU! I’ve been struggling with this problem for several years already.
At first when I switched my IOS setting to “Keep Original”, Windows 10 would play the audio of my videos but no visuals. The photos wouldn’t open at all. Microsoft told me I needed to install “HEVC Video Extensions”. I did (it cost $.99 in the Mic store) and now both photos and videos are opening and playing without any trouble.
I might have to convert the files later if I want to share with other devices but at least I can transfer them to my PC. HUGE relief!
HEIC files are useless to me, so this solution is a FAIL.