Sync iPhone 12 on El Capitan

Hi!

I would like to sync my shiny new iPhone 12 mini on my centuries old Mac Book Pro Mid 2009 running OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 running iTunes 12.8.2.3.

According to the System Requirements on https://www.apple.com/iphone-12/specs/ it should work but it doesn't.

All devices have the latest updates possible installed. When connecting the phone by cable with the MacBook Pro, Photos.app opens and I am able to copy the pictures. But when opening iTunes the phone icon doesn't appear. and I am unable to access the device, neither to copy music, etc.

Whats could be the issue here?

Thanks!

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 14

Posted on Dec 1, 2020 9:43 AM

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turingtest2

Level 10

278,055 points

Posted on Dec 11, 2020 6:47 AM

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.

tt2

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21 replies

turingtest2

Level 10

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Mar 3, 2021 11:40 AM in response to NoChoice_apple

What versions of macOS and iTunes are you running?

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,055 points

Mar 3, 2021 12:12 PM in response to NoChoice_apple

No, you need to update to iTunes 12.8.2.3 separately. Once done your device will either be recognized automatically or you can use my earlier advice.

tt2

Mar 3, 2021 12:15 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks very much. I'll try that.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,055 points

Mar 3, 2021 12:24 PM in response to NoChoice_apple

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,055 points

Mar 16, 2021 2:04 PM in response to NoChoice_apple

Good to hear.

tt2

Dec 10, 2020 7:56 PM in response to Joseph_S.

Hello and thanks for your reply!

I have followed the steps but something very strange is happening.

When I connect my iPhone to the Mac, the application Photos will open and I am able to browse through my pictures of the phone. So there is a connection established between the two. I am however unable to copy pictures off the phone. I get an error that the file type is not supported.

In the system profiler, iPhone is nowhere to be seen.

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Sync iPhone 12 on El Capitan