Level 4

3,377 points

new iPhone 16 pro Max will not mount macOS -- cannot access it to Restore from my BackUps

I just received an iPhone Pro Max 16 direct from Apple-com

I discovered it is not compatible with my iTunes or macOS Ventura 13.7

in other words:

I did a BACK UP of my 13 Pro Max in iTunes (in Mojave 10.14.6) and another BACKUP in Ventura 13.7 via the Finder window location: iPhone 13 icon

When I connect the iPhone 16 in iTunes (Mojave) it doesn't mount

When I connect the iPhone 16 in Finder (Ventura) it doesn't mount

When I connected the iPhone 13, it quickly mounted in both scenarios

After talking with three level one Apple techs who were clueless -- I was put through to a SR Tech -- he quickly told me the problem was a compatibility issue and that I needed to have the latest OS and hardware to mount the iPhone 16 and perform a Restore from my iPhone 13 from my local disks

Problem is the latest macOS won't install on my 'ancient' iMac 2017 hardware

I was recommended to accesses iPhone 13> Settings> General> Transfer or Reset iPhone> Prepare for New iPhone> Get Started (and run my 200GB backup/transfer through iCloud) -- I don't use iCloud for various reasons

but it is the only method available I have (according to the SR Tech) to "clone" my iPhone 13 over to my new iPhone 16 -- I imagine that will take forever ... starting tonite

will update my progress here after the process completes -- if that works or doesn't work -- then I can worry about how to run a BACKUP on the iPhone 16 with no compatible hardware or macOS (until Apple fixes the issue)

if anyone knows how to do this iPhone13> iPhone16 transfer please advise...(I would love to take iCloud out of the process and work hard-wired off local drives

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 8:26 PM

Top-ranking reply

-g Author

Level 4

3,377 points

Posted on Sep 21, 2024 12:27 PM

binziebody

>Didn't work until I tried using the USB-A to USB-C cable. Hope it works for you guys too!

a USBa to USBc cables SOLVED the complaint here (on iMac 2017 machines, previously connecting through Thunderbolt 3 ports):

on Ventura 13.7

iPhone 16 now mounts in Finder> Locations now as expected

also:

in Mojave, 10.14.6

iTunes 12.9.5.5 automatically launches into set up your new iPhone

I can now return to my original backups and hopefully use my new phone...

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45 replies

fizz43

Level 1

14 points

Sep 22, 2024 2:57 PM in response to -g

I had same problem and cured issue with USBa to USBc lead.Thanks for the tip

Oct 28, 2024 7:14 AM in response to -g

I just did the IOS 18.1 update and connected with Mac Book pro Ventura 13.7 and is working perfectly sync with usb c to usb c the cable that came with Iphone 16 pro max

Limnos

Level 10

427,163 points

Sep 20, 2024 8:45 PM in response to -g

In general you start to run into issues like this when you have radically different generations of hardware. Apple's standard recommendation is to update everything to the newest OS version. Of course if you have a 10 year old computer that isn't possible so then the solution (according to Apple) is to buy a newer computer.

Nor is it easy to find out where/when the compatibility disconnect takes place. I haven't seen that published anywhere on Apple's site -- presumably because they assume everybody, of course, is only going to be running the newest OS versions.

So, good luck.

-g Author

Level 4

3,377 points

Sep 20, 2024 9:38 PM in response to Limnos

Limnos:

> In general you start to run into issues like this when you have radically different generations of hardware... buy a newer computer.

>...they assume everybody, of course, is only going to be running the newest OS versions.

>So, good luck.

I hope that was written tongue in cheek -- breaking iTunes for progress maybe -- but Finder, no, I don't agree with rendering Finder obsolete here for a monthly iCloud subscription to make an iPhone 16 work

I seriously doubt Apple expects me to buy a new computer and load the latest operating system to use their new iPhone 16 Pro Max -- more likely they are working on a solution to restore Finder operation since we are a few days out on a new generation iPhone hardware and a point zero iOS

IdrisSeabrigh

> Did you check to see if there is an update available for your new phone?

good one, it still is booting to its Hello screen

-g Author

Level 4

3,377 points

Sep 21, 2024 8:03 AM in response to tayyabansari

tayyabansari

>I'm having the same issue with my new iPhone 16 pro max and its very frustrating I Mac book bro has Ventura 13.7

thanks, that is very useful (I am not the only one) -- I was believing I had a iPhone 16 Pro Max with a bad hardware problem

the SR Advisor info I started this thread with -- that the 16 REQUIRED Sequoia and latest Mac to mount the 16 in Finder is wrong -- according to the 16's system requirements on the Apple link

further, the advice I got from a level one advisor -- to do the activation on the 16, including my Apple ID, to see if that would make the 16 mount in Finder -- was also bad advice -- now I'm INUNDATED with new Mac added to account using location and iMessage services over all my iOS and MacOS machines (and I have a lot of them)

in the past, I've always mounted and began the Restore from a factory state

lastly (and I'll back out of this unless I have an update):

a year ago, I received a bad new iPad Pro direct from Apple

it wouldn't complete the activation process

phone advisors had me pulling my hair out for five days duplicating the problem for them on multiple OSes and Mac hardware, including screen shares, and several SR Advisors who also told me the iPad was incompatible and it REQUIRED the latest OS and hardware to activate

I knew better then and I know better now ... taking it to the Apple Store I instantly duplicated the complaint and they gave me a new iPad Pro on the spot

guess what -- the replacement iPad instantly worked with the 'ancient' OS and hardware I was using: iTunes in Mojave (a supported OS)

seeing is believing...

Oct 8, 2024 1:04 PM in response to -g

I have a macbock pro 2017 running ventura 13.6.4 and I'm having the same problem with my Iphone 16 pro not connecting/charging/mounting. As per Iphone 16 and 16 pro specs it should connect to a mac running ventura, so assuming this is a bug, Apple must fix this problem asap.

System Requirements:

Apple Account (required for some features)
Internet access21
Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
- macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
- macOS High Sierra 10.13 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later
- Windows 10 or later using iTunes 12.12.10 or later (free download from apple.com/itunes/download)

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max - Technical Specifications - Apple

Sep 20, 2024 8:52 PM in response to -g

Did you check to see if there is an update available for your new phone? Some people have reported seeing one.

Sep 22, 2024 12:19 AM in response to getimos

So usb-c to usb-a hub then usb-a to usb-c, correct ?

Nov 22, 2024 8:39 AM in response to -g

I'm a bit late to the party, and you may have already solved this, but I thought you were given the option to copy from old to new via Bluetooth at set-up.

Sep 20, 2024 9:45 PM in response to -g

System Requirements

Apple Account (required for some features)
Internet access20
Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
macOS High Sierra 10.13 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later
Windows 10 or later using iTunes 12.12.10 or later (free download from apple.com/itunes/download)

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus - Technical Specifications - Apple

Sep 29, 2024 10:24 PM in response to jmcwitch

If this is of any help, when using USB-C to USB-C, it doesn't mount and time to time I receive the error message : Impossible to use this Thunderbolt accessory.

Hardware : iPhone 16 Pro, Macbook Pro 2017, Cable from the iPhone box

Oct 12, 2024 3:03 PM in response to -g

Omg!!!!, I’m going through the same thing. On the phone over 8 hours since yesterday and still don’t even have my 16promax connected properly yet! I kept telling them my eSIM wasn’t activated yet and they were too **** to even know what I was talking about. They then had me do a rest which caused me to lose everything. I’d also love to read some answers

[Edited by Moderator]

Oct 12, 2024 3:05 PM in response to -g

Ok, so I’ve read so many of your comments, which are great. However, I didn’t even get that far. Verizon so totally screwed up my setup for my new 16promax, that I’ve lost so many things and hope I can get them back

Oct 16, 2024 9:46 AM in response to Limnos

"so then the solution (according to Apple) is to buy a newer computer" that is not true I just talk with Apple and they are working on this issue , my 2024 iPad connects just fine with my 2017 MacBook pro . Probably on the next update it will be fix

Nov 22, 2024 8:44 AM in response to Adrian Andrews

Adrian Andrews wrote:

I'm a bit late to the party, and you may have already solved this, but I thought you were given the option to copy from old to new via Bluetooth at set-up.

It's never been possible to transfer files between a Mac and an iPhone via BT.

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new iPhone 16 pro Max will not mount macOS -- cannot access it to Restore from my BackUps