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iTunes to iPhone 7 Communication

I have a MAC desk computer. It is running Mojave 10.14.6 Operating System. The computer is older and that is as far as I dare update it. I have iTunes 12.9.5.5 and I am trying to connect my iPhone 7 to iTunes. I am trying to use my old iPhone 7 as an iPad for music. The iPhone 7 is up to date with iOS 14.2. The Photos app on my MAC recognizes the iPhone 7 and I can transfer pictures. However it will not show up in my iTunes so I cannot transfer music. When I first hooked up the iPhone 7 I had a message that said I would need a software update to communicate. However by the time I could respond to the message it was gone and I cannot get it to come back up. I am not sure what update it is talking about since everything is up to date. The Apple support says I can do this but I can't figure it out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 3:01 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 7, 2020 6:43 AM

Hi, iPhone_7_To_iTunes.


We know your time is valuable, and we appreciate you taking the time to post in the Apple Support Communities.


If we understand correctly, you’re trying to connect your iPhone 7 to your iMac running macOS Mojave and iTunes v12.9.5.5, but you’re getting an alert about updating the software on your iMac. 


It sounds like you may have gotten the following message when attempting to connect your iPhone: “A software update is required to connect to [your iPhone].” 


If this is the case, it’s an update to the framework of your computer and the iTunes program needed in order for an older macOS operating system to communicate with a newer iOS version. It shouldn't impact your iMac or iTunes in any noticeable way. If you’re not able to get the prompt to come up again after restarting both your iPhone and iMac and then reconnecting the two, you might try downloading iTunes again:


Download iTunes 12.8.2 for Mac


This will ensure that the background update needed for your iPhone to connect to iTunes is installed. 


Warmest Regards.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 7, 2020 6:43 AM in response to iPhone_7_To_iTunes

Hi, iPhone_7_To_iTunes.


We know your time is valuable, and we appreciate you taking the time to post in the Apple Support Communities.


If we understand correctly, you’re trying to connect your iPhone 7 to your iMac running macOS Mojave and iTunes v12.9.5.5, but you’re getting an alert about updating the software on your iMac. 


It sounds like you may have gotten the following message when attempting to connect your iPhone: “A software update is required to connect to [your iPhone].” 


If this is the case, it’s an update to the framework of your computer and the iTunes program needed in order for an older macOS operating system to communicate with a newer iOS version. It shouldn't impact your iMac or iTunes in any noticeable way. If you’re not able to get the prompt to come up again after restarting both your iPhone and iMac and then reconnecting the two, you might try downloading iTunes again:


Download iTunes 12.8.2 for Mac


This will ensure that the background update needed for your iPhone to connect to iTunes is installed. 


Warmest Regards.

iTunes to iPhone 7 Communication

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