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sje45 Author

Level 1

18 points

Software update required to connect to iPhone XR?

My Mac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) is years older than my iPhone and I don't think I can upgrade the Mac OS.

What to do now?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 6, 2021 3:00 PM

Top-ranking reply

ShannonM1

Community Specialist

Posted on Jan 13, 2021 11:03 AM

Understood, sje45,

Your Mac is compatible with syncing to the iPhone XR. It will use Finder, and those steps are located here: Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer - Apple Support

If you have any questions on the process, let us know.

Cheers!

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Similar questions

4 replies

Top-ranking reply

ShannonM1

Community Specialist

Jan 13, 2021 11:03 AM in response to sje45

Understood, sje45,

Your Mac is compatible with syncing to the iPhone XR. It will use Finder, and those steps are located here: Use the Finder to sync your iPhone, iPad, or iPod with your computer - Apple Support

If you have any questions on the process, let us know.

Cheers!

Corrie84

Community Specialist

Jan 9, 2021 8:17 AM in response to sje45

Hello sje45,

We understand that you need to update your computer in order to connect with your iPhone. The late 2012 iMac can update to macOS Catalina, per: macOS Catalina is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

Here's how you can update to it: How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!

Demo

Level 10

166,633 points

Jan 13, 2021 11:08 AM in response to sje45

You do not need to update the Mac OS. Take a look at this.

If you see "Software update is required to connect to your iOS device" on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

sje45 Author

Level 1

18 points

Jan 9, 2021 11:51 AM in response to Corrie84

Perhaps I should have included the fact that I am running macOS Catalina Version 10.15.7.

I believe this is the newest OS that will work on my iMac Late 2012.

Software update required to connect to iPhone XR?