Cannot install Mac update needed to update iPhone

Question

Level 1

19 points

Cannot install Mac update needed to update iPhone

When I try to update my iPhone (from 14.4.2 to 14.5.1) I get a message that my Mac needs a software update first.

When I click the Install button, I get a message that the Installation failed: "Can't install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server."

How am I supposed to install the software the system claims to need if it doesn't exist?

Thanks for any suggestions/help you can give.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 4, 2021 3:14 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,044 points

May 5, 2021 3:45 AM in response to PTippit

You shouldn’t need your Mac to update iOS. Just go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Reply

Answer 2

PTippit Author

Level 1

19 points

May 6, 2021 8:12 AM in response to PTippit

I gave up and used the "update over the air" option (with fingers crossed <grin>.)

I'm happy to report that it was successful.

Thanks to Barney-15E for the push.

I'm still a little irked about the Catch-22 on my Mac but am resolved to let it go. ;)

Reply

Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

105,007 points

May 5, 2021 7:59 AM in response to PTippit

Sometimes the error message is misleading - is the Computer running behind a VPN ? If Yes, reconnect directly to Internet and try again. If no VPN is involved - please disregard.

Reply

Answer 4

PTippit Author

Level 1

19 points

May 5, 2021 5:52 AM in response to Barney-15E

Yes... Unfortunately, my connectivity can be flaky so I've always preferred to download the updater to the Mac first (so I am confident I've got the whole sh'bang before I start anything.)

If I can't get this other issue resolved, of course, I'll have to go that route -- with fingers crossed.

Thanks for the reminder.

Reply

Answer 5

PTippit Author

Level 1

19 points

May 5, 2021 1:58 PM in response to Owl-53

Thank you for the suggestion.

Sadly, the update failed even when I'm not behind the VPN.

Reply

Cannot install Mac update needed to update iPhone

Similar questions