iTunes/Mac OS/iOS compatibility
This tip is designed to be a one stop shop to find out what iOS you can use if you are able to install a specific Mac OS X.
Image Capture is one utility that allows moving of photos and movies on almost any Mac OS X or later to any iOS. Not quite the same as syncing, but it does allow access for just those files when connecting the Mac to the charging cable of the device. File moving of ripped music is one direction only when the version of iTunes or Music App supports the iOS in question, and that's from the Mac to the iDevice. The reverse direction is generally not supported.
Updated as of 3-21-2024: iOS 17 still works with High Sierra. The workaround is posted here:
Update as of 10-9-2023:
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus - Technical Specifications - Apple
and iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus - Technical Specifications - Apple
shows that iTunes 9 and High Sierra are required for iPhone 14 and up.
All the models below still support iTunes 12.8.2.3 on El Capitan:
iPad Air - Technical Specifications - Apple shows that the Air still works with iTunes 12.8.2.3 and El Capitan
iPad mini - Technical Specifications - Apple
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation) - Technical Specifications
iPhone SE (3rd generation) - Technical Specifications
Note, some downloads from Apple do not work in Safari for earlier Mac OSes, see this tip if you find you can't download them anymore, to find a browser that will work.
Updating to iOS 14? This thread discusses a trick to enable iTunes syncing to work in El Capitan. Reinstall iTunes while the phone is connected:
iOS 14 compatibility El Capitan? - Apple Community
Further details are here:
- Make sure you are running 10.11.6 using the Combo to any version of 10.11 and Security Update 2018-004.
- Upgrade to iTunes 12.8.2.3.
- From TuringTest2 on another thread:
Assuming a suitable version of iTunes is in place then in Finder use the menu item Go > Go to Folder..., copy the following text, paste it into the dialog box and press enter:
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/Current/Resources
Unlock your device and connect it to USB. Double click on MobileDeviceUpdater in the folder that has opened. It should notify you of a software update. Install it and iTunes should hopefully recognize your device.
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On September 19, 2019, iOS 13 was released. Present requirements for iOS 13 include Mac OS 10.11.6 for iTunes 12.8 as a bare minimum.
Two factor authentication logins for AppleID unlocks was introduced on Mac OS 10.12.4. If your iOS is current for it, you can usually use it to unlock either from another current iOS device, or http://iforgot.apple.com if you don't have a Mac.
On May 29, 2019, it was found that iOS 12.1.5 could sync with iTunes on Mac OS X 10.10.5 if you kept iTunes 12.5.5.
This thread discusses more of the inconsistent requirements that were initially stated:
https://www.imobie.com/support/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-12-to-ios-11.htm offers a means of downgrading from iOS 12 to iOS 11, if no other means work to link an elderly Mac that can't be updated to 10.11. Be very careful to backup your data properly to avoid problems. Consider a lightning port data transfer device if you need to backup data. And remember no backup is complete, unless you know you have two working copies.
Downgrading Mac OS X is possible in many cases, but your iOS is not at all. Downgrading a Mac is described here:How do I downgrade my Mac OS X operating … - Apple Community
iOS 12 & Yosemite -is a new tip I constructed to cover what can be done for those with Yosemite when downgrading the iOS is no longer possible.
For iOS earlier than 5, see this tip:Which OS do I have and where should I post?So be sure to look this over before upgrading your iOS and backup/sync your iOS with your Mac:
Mac OS X 10.5.8 (Leopard) supports PowerPC Macs, iTunes 10.6.3, iOS 5.1.1.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) supports Intel only Macs, but does support PowerPC applications, iTunes 11.4 and iOS 6, and iOS 7.
Mac OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) supports iCloud except for iCloud Drive in its current iteration and the new Notes.
Mac OS X 10.7.5 (Lion) (link explains the pitfalls of losing PowerPC applications) supports iTunes 12.2.2.25 (available from Software update as of 10/24/2015), iOS 8 and iOS 9.0.
Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) is required for iTunes 12.3 and iOS 9.2 and iOS 9.2.1(except iCloud Drive, and the new notes). Does not support iOS 10 or iTunes 12.5.1 according to the Wikipedia below.Mac OS X 10.9.5 (Mavericks)one user has said is required for iOS 10 and iTunes 12.5. It is though unable to sync with iOS 11.Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) is required minimum for the new iCloud Drive and iOS 11 (except for Notes, which requires El Capitan). iTunes 12.7.0.166 is needed for iOS 11. Also note, anyone who can install Mountain Lion can also install El Capitan, which supports all iOSes up to the iOS 14.x as of (April 2, 2021). That's covered earlier in this tip.
Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra) currently has no special requirements as of April 2, 2021, however is a free path to upgrade from Macs that shipped with Lion, that upgraded to 10.7.5 or later, and then updated to Sierra to be able to synchronize with iOS 12. Since the release of the iPhone 14 requiring High Sierra on the Mac, please see earlier on the tip if you have an iPhone 14 or higher.
iOS 12 was released September 17, 2018. Please make sure to backup your data on your iphone, ipad, or ipod touch and not apply any update until you are certain that iTunes on your Mac or PC can handle it.
Some may find running Windows on their Mac Running Windows on a Mac, and Connecting it to Macor creating a separate partition for a newer Mac OS How to format a drive, or disc for maximum portability?allows one to sync to a newer iOS without losing compatibility of older Mac OS versions.
Stuck in Mavericks, Mac OS X 10.9.5? There is a published way to downgrade your iOS.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-11/
Note: this is not for the faint at heart, but sure is better than having to upgrade your Mac OS X prematurely for an App you can't afford upgrading on your Mac. Consider your reason for being stuck. If it is a software that won't run on 10.11.6, ask on the forum for other software titles that are comparable, since you can upgrade to Mac OS X 10.11.6 to get the current iOS of April 2, 2021.
The last iOS supported for various iDevices is listed on the table called "Terminal update for" on:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_version_history
And many of the latest iOS versions and iTunes support are on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_iTunes
Notes: Upgrading to 10.7 and above, don't forget Rosetta! and High Sierra upgrading tipoffer two means of getting your Mac up to speed with iTunes 12.8. Use the first tip if running 10.6.8 or earlier to get to 10.11. And use the other tip if running 10.8 or later.
