Connect an iPhone or iPad with USB

On iPhone and iPad there is nothing to switch on: no developer settings, no drivers on the device, and no device to pick. Plug in the cable, open the app, and it connects by itself.

Step 1: Install Apple Device Software (Windows only)

Windows needs Apple’s device software so it can see your iPhone or iPad over USB. Install one of these:

• Apple Devices - free app from the Microsoft Store (recommended)
• iTunes - the same support, and it works on older versions of Windows

VirtualTablet Server shows both download options for you: open the Connect tab, switch to USB, and look at the iPhone / iPad section. If it can’t find Apple’s software, the download buttons appear right there.

Already installed but still not working? Make sure the Apple Mobile Device Service is running (open services.msc, or simply restart your PC).

Step 2: Connect the Cable

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC with a USB data cable
2. Unlock your device. A device that has been locked for a while only charges over USB and stays invisible to the PC
3. If a “Trust This Computer?” prompt appears, tap Trust

When the PC can see it, the iPhone / iPad section of the server’s USB tab changes from “No device connected” to “iPhone/iPad detected”.

Step 3: Open the App and Connect

1. Open VirtualTablet on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap the USB tab
3. That’s it - as soon as the PC is detected, the app connects automatically

If you leave the drawing screen and want to go back, tap Connect over USB in the USB tab.

Troubleshooting

The PC never detects the device (Windows):

1. Install Apple Devices or iTunes - Windows cannot see an iPhone or iPad without Apple’s device software
2. If it is already installed, check that the Apple Mobile Device Service is running, or restart the PC
3. Unlock your device and reconnect the cable

The device is detected but never connects:

1. Make sure the VirtualTablet app is open on the iPhone or iPad
2. Keep the device unlocked while connecting
3. Tap Trust if the “Trust This Computer?” prompt appears

Nothing happens at all:

1. Use a data cable - many spare cables are charge-only
2. Plug directly into the PC and avoid USB hubs
3. Try a different USB port, then a different cable
4. Restart both the PC and the device

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