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

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.

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.

I ran into this with my iPhone 12 (IOS 16.0.0 and 16.0.2) connecting to my iMac (Monterey 12.6). Most solutions say update iTunes on my computer, but I don't have iTunes any longer in Monterey.

The fix I found after some searching was to update and open XCode. Odd, I know.

Fixed on Macbook M1 It Finally installed after removing all 3rd party apps like Adblock,Antivirus etc. Thanks

Same error

iPhone 11

MacOS Monterey

Install Xcode

problem solved

Thanks!

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.

I spoke to them several times over a couple of hours last week and they were of no help whatsoever. It's definitely a macOS 12.6 issue and doesn't actually stop iPhones being backed up, it's just very annoying. Noticed it first with my 12 Pro running iOS 16 and now it also happens with 14 Pro running iOS 16.0.1

Please contact Apple and tell them about it: Get Support. Let me know what they determine.

That's a problem then. Contact Apple and tell them about it: Get Support.

Installing Xcode fixed it initially. I uninstalled Xcode and was still working with 16.0.2. After installing 16.0.3 the problem came back. I’ll try the Xcode thing again and see what happens

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.