iPad won't sync unless I upgrade to Catalina

Question

iPad won't sync unless I upgrade to Catalina

My iPad Air 2 is updated to iOS 13.1.3, and I for the past two days I have tried connecting it to my iMac to sync it. iTunes will not recognize my iPad any more, so I can't sync it/back it up, etc. The error message says, "A software update is required to connect to iPad." The only possible software update that can be done on my iMac is Catalina (I checked the Apple menu already to be sure). I do not want to upgrade to Catalina yet, and everything I've read online suggests that I should be able to sync my iPad even though I am still using Mojave 10.14.6. I am desperate to sync my iPad because I need to add some photos and videos, but the computer will not recognize it (i.e. the iPad icon won't even appear in iTunes). Weirdly but fortunately, my ancient iPhone 6 will still sync just fine with iTunes. Thanks for any suggestions!

MacBook Air 13", OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 17, 2019 4:16 PM

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Answer 1

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Oct 23, 2019 2:48 PM in response to paddlehikeski

Hello paddlehikeski,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. I understand the iPad isn't being recognized because it requires a software update.

These suggestions might help: If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod

If you're still having issues, reach out to Apple Support: Contact Apple Support

Thanks and have a great day.

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Answer 2

Oct 23, 2019 5:59 PM in response to chris_g1

Hi Chris,

Thanks for trying to help me. In reading your reply, it sounds like you thought my iPad software wasn't up to date, but it's fully updated to 13.1.3. I had already tried the suggestions in the link you sent because I was linked to that same web page by the error message that I quoted in my initial posting. I may have to call Apple Support, but I hoped to avoid doing that. I was wondering if something about the new iPad software that I just installed made the iPad unavailable to any Mac that wasn't fully updated to Catalina. That seems to be the issue. I tried to connect it to my Macbook Air, and I got the exact same message (my Air also has not been updated to Catalina).

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Answer 3

carey167

Level 1

23 points

Oct 24, 2019 2:57 PM in response to paddlehikeski

I have the same, except its my iphone 8. and I DON"T want to run Catalina. I installed Catalina, only to find that several of my apps would not run so when back to Mojave. my ipod did sync with itunes!

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Answer 4

Oct 24, 2019 4:03 PM in response to carey167

Thank you, Carey, for your response! It sounds like you can no longer sync your iPhone 8, so I wonder how long you can continue not to sync it. It does appear that Apple is forcing me to run Catalina, but I want to at least photoshop all my holiday photos before I lose the ability to use my Photoshop app (which won't run once I install Catalina). I sync my devices all the time because I am constantly adding photos, and right now I can't add any photos to my iPad. I guess I will call Apple to see what they say. Thanks again for your input!

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Answer 5

carey167

Level 1

23 points

Oct 24, 2019 4:38 PM in response to paddlehikeski

I just found out today that my iphone would not sync however it was after I installed Catalina and tried to scan documents when I discovered the gap between the new OS and the tools I need to work. so I put may macs back to prior OS.

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iPad won't sync unless I upgrade to Catalina

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