Cannot use iTunes with iPhone, Software Update Needed

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Cannot use iTunes with iPhone, Software Update Needed

This morning I'm getting an error message saying I cannot connect my iPhone 7 Plus to my MacBook Pro without a software update. I am not ready to update to Catalina because some programs I use are not compatible and I can't afford to lose them.

Is the software update the message refers to Catalina? Am I blocked from connecting my iPhone to iTunes now? I'm a choir director and I need to sync a couple of songs before choir practice tonight. There was no warning that I'd be blocked from connecting iPhone to iTunes. Please help!!!!

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 13

Posted on Nov 20, 2019 5:40 AM

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Answer 1

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tmbrowng Author

Level 1

93 points

Nov 25, 2019 7:38 PM in response to chuck_3rd

Contacting Apple Support is just what I needed to do. My question was escalated to a supervisory level and I learned that the required software update was not Catalina or anything related to the operating system. It was an update to make connecting the iPhone to the new iTunes accessible to users who were unable to update to Catalina. Once I allowed the update to happen, my iPhone was immediately recognized by iTunes.

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Answer 2

Nov 23, 2019 8:50 AM in response to tmbrowng

Hello tmbrowng,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities. From your message I can see that you’re unable to connect your iPhone 7 Plus to your MacBook Pro.

I understand needing to wait to upgrade to macOS Catalina. Based on the message that you have described, I would begin by checking to see that you have the latest version of iTunes for the macOS version on your Mac. Follow the steps under, “If you can’t update to the latest version of macOS,” in this article to check for an iTunes update: Update to the latest version of iTunes.

If the issue persists, close any apps which are open, and restart your MacBook Pro by going to the Apple logo in the top left of the menu bar and selecting “Restart.”

If you’re still unable to connect your iPhone with your MacBook Pro, follow these steps: Resolve USB-related alerts in iTunes.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Nov 25, 2019 12:24 PM in response to tmbrowng

Hello tmbrowng,

At this point the next step to take is to Contact Apple Support for more assistance.

All the best!

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Answer 4

tmbrowng Author

Level 1

93 points

Nov 25, 2019 11:56 AM in response to Matthew.S81

Thanks for you advice Matthew, but I still have the problem. I can't update to Catalina yet and I see that I'm running iTunes 12.9.5.5. On that "Update to the latest version of iTunes" page you referenced, they say that 12.8 is the highest version of iTunes that I'd be able to download. Regarding the "USB-related alerts..." page, the MacBook Pro "sees" my iPhone, but iTunes is still telling me "A software update is required to connect to your iPhone. Would you like to download and install this update now?'

No place does it say if the proposed update is Catalina and I'm so afraid it is. Going to Catalina now means that I lose my InDesign CS6 and there are things I need to finish before that happens.

Do you have other suggestions for me?

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Answer 5

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Nov 25, 2019 8:04 PM in response to tmbrowng

Hi tmbrowng,

Thanks for the information of how you resolved the issue. Glad to hear that your iPhone and iTunes are back on speaking terms again. If you have any questions down the road, we're only a message away.

Cheers!

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Cannot use iTunes with iPhone, Software Update Needed

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