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iPhone 12 mini doesn’t show up in iTunes

My new 12 mini running iOS 14.7 can’t seem to be recognized on my Mac running High Sierra and iTunes 12.8.3.1


The phone doesn’t even show up in the Finder. But it does appear in the System Report under About This Mac, so it doesn’t appear to be a USB cable issue.


I’m thinking to downgrade iTunes to see if that helps and apparently the version posted on Apple’s iTunes download page is 12.8.2 (even though the heading says 12.8.3)


However, I can’t install as I get this message: “A newer version of iTunes is already installed”


Hoping someone can help. I backed up my old iPhone to this particular MacBook Pro using iTunes…hence the reason I need to restore.

Posted on Aug 29, 2021 7:50 AM

Reply
6 replies

Aug 30, 2021 7:37 AM in response to blindemboss

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, blindemboss.

If we understand your post correctly, your iPhone is not recognized by your Mac. We’d like to help.


Follow the steps in this article:


If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod


Let us know if that resolves this issue for you.


Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

Aug 30, 2021 10:16 AM in response to blindemboss

For iOS 14 you need iTunes 12.8.2.3 or better running on OS X 10.11.6 or better. See How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support if required.


Assuming a suitable version of iTunes is in place then 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.


If these steps haven't worked you can also try reinstalling iTunes12.8.2.3.dmg (El Capitan/Sierra) or iTunes12.8.3.1 (High Sierra) while your device is connected and unlocked.


tt2

Aug 31, 2021 8:48 AM in response to turingtest2

No luck. Managed to downgrade to iTunes 12.8.2.3 and did see a prompt to trust this device. But it only launched the Photos app and still didn't appear in iTunes.


At this point, I've given up and resigned to not restoring from a previous iPhone saved in iTunes.

I've wasted too much time, and will just re-install the apps and start new.


I'm disappointed Apple has made it so difficult to connect iOS 14 with recent versions of iTunes.

From here on, I'll be backing up to iCloud.

Anyways thanks for your help.



iPhone 12 mini doesn’t show up in iTunes

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