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"Your iPhone needs to update software to connect to your Mac"

The install fails every time after updating my iPhone 12 Pro Max to iOS 16 and Mac OS to 12.6. Any thoughts? The iPhone seems to connect without difficulty. However, this annoying message pops up EVERY TIME I connect my phone.

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 13, 2022 3:34 PM

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39 replies

Oct 1, 2022 11:46 AM in response to stevesol

Xcode should now be available in the Apple App Store. I know it used to be through a developer account, but it seems to be available to anyone now. It's been so long since I installed it that I don't remember how I did the initial install, but I do update it now through the App Store.


One odd thing about Xcode, you need to install and actually run it to get everything installed. It adds files and extensions the first time it's run after an install or update.

Oct 5, 2022 3:43 PM in response to stevesol

stevesol wrote:

Eureka! I installed Xcode from the Apple App Store and ran it. I plugged in my iPhone and NO ERROR MESSAGE! I didn't really want 12 GB of Xcode on my Mac that I'll never use so I used AppCleaner to delete it. I restarted my computer and STILL NO ERROR MESSAGE!


👍


FYI I already had Xcode installed prior to the onset of this problem. I deleted Xcode and downloaded it again from the App Store. The problem persisted until after launching Xcode which "installed additional components", after which the problem disappeared.


There was no need to restart the Mac.


To delete Xcode just drag its app icon to the Trash in accordance with How to uninstall apps on your Mac - Apple Support. There is no need to use any third party "cleaning" app. Those things often cause trouble.

Sep 30, 2022 6:28 PM in response to stevesol

I surmise that whatever eventually fixes the problem will be provided by the software update that downloads upon clicking the Install button in your screenshot. In other words, not a macOS or iOS update.


The reason for my suspicion is that the same "Can't install the software" dialog (below) appears on Macs running long outdated operating systems, including Macs that never communicated with that iPhone in the past.


Oct 1, 2022 9:30 AM in response to wshep49

Interesting. I've been using migration assistant to transfer all of my old Macs to each of my new Macs for forever. I know that I had XCode installed at some point in the early OS X days. While there could potentially be hidden remnants somewhere, I can find no traces of it. I can't update and open something I can't see... Apple support had asked me if I had XCode installed, which could clearly be a piece of the puzzle. I told them exactly what I just typed above. Any thoughts about how to install/update XCode? The developer site apparently will not let me, a non-dev, download it. Is that something I should even mess with or wait for an Apple fix? Thoughts?

Oct 5, 2022 9:48 AM in response to wshep49

Just got off the phone with Apple Support and after gathering log information and send it to them I mentioned the Xcode thing that someone above mentioned (Sorry to lazy to go look through the thread). While they were still on the call and viewing my screen I installed Xcode plugged in the phone and the problem was gone "POOF". I then uninstalled Xcode by using the trashcan method and it still worked. There must be something that is residual left by Xcode fixing the problem.

"Your iPhone needs to update software to connect to your Mac"

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