Last Hope: Cannot Sync iPhone 18.1.1 to iMac (Mid 2011) (High Sierra) ITunes

Question

Level 1

28 points

Last Hope: Cannot Sync iPhone 18.1.1 to iMac (Mid 2011) (High Sierra) ITunes

Hi,

I’m (still) having trouble connecting my iPhone 12 (iOS 18.1.1) to my Mac (iMac 21.5", Mid 2011) running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. The iPhone no longer appears in iTunes or Finder, but it syncs with Photos.

I tested the same iPhone on a Mac Pro with macOS Ventura using the same network, and it connected without issues. It worked fine on High Sierra before updating to iOS 18.1.1.

Apple's support page states:

"If your iPhone is using iOS 17 or later, make sure your Mac is using macOS High Sierra or later."

I’m using the latest High Sierra (10.13.6), iTunes 12.8.3.1, and a stable, tested network.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 18

Posted on Dec 14, 2024 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

179,440 points

Dec 15, 2024 7:11 AM in response to Ota3000

I presume you've confirmed that the USB cable you're using is data-capable, not a charging-only cable as many are. If so, perhaps something here will help:

If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

though you may have worked through most if not all of those suggestions. Worth checking, anyway. If not, perhaps someone else here will have an idea.

Regards.

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

72,662 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:58 PM in response to Alisonzil

Alisonzil wrote:

It seems that iOS 18.1.1 may no longer be fully compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), as it was designed to work with newer macOS versions. Consider updating your iMac to at least macOS Mojave (10.14) or later for full compatibility with iOS 17 and beyond, as this may resolve the connectivity issue.

The 2011 iMac cannot be upgraded beyond macSO 10.13 High Sierra.

If you need help determining the max possible OS version for different Mac models, I highly recommend the MacTracker database, free in the Mac App store:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mactracker/id430255202?mt=12

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Answer 3

g_wolfman

Level 4

2,278 points

Dec 17, 2024 5:31 PM in response to Ota3000

Not sure which support page you are referring to - this is the current one I found: Connect iPhone and your computer with a cable - Apple Support (CA). Perhaps this page, one of its links or the overall guide (iPhone User Guide - Apple Support (CA)) has useful info.

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Answer 4

Dec 16, 2024 1:31 AM in response to Ota3000

It seems that iOS 18.1.1 may no longer be fully compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), as it was designed to work with newer macOS versions. Consider updating your iMac to at least macOS Mojave (10.14) or later for full compatibility with iOS 17 and beyond, as this may resolve the connectivity issue.

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Answer 5

Ota3000 Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:26 AM in response to Alisonzil

Alisonzil, Thank your reply.

Apple's support page states:

"If your iPhone is using iOS 17 or later, make sure your Mac is using macOS High Sierra or later."

I’m using the latest High Sierra (10.13.6), iTunes 12.8.3.1.

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Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

83,164 points

Dec 15, 2024 7:33 AM in response to varjak paw

varjak paw wrote:

If not, perhaps someone else here will have an idea.

Issue: Cannot Connect iPhone to Mac – mac… - Apple Community

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Answer 7

varjak paw

Level 10

179,440 points

Dec 14, 2024 12:42 PM in response to Ota3000

It appears that you're trying to sync via Wi-Fi. Have you tried connecting the two with a data-capable USB cable?

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Answer 8

Ota3000 Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 14, 2024 7:25 PM in response to varjak paw

Thank you for your response varjak paw, but, yes, I am using USB cable.

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Answer 9

Ota3000 Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 15, 2024 10:40 AM in response to den.thed

This is a link to one of my previous questions about the same subject, for which nobody could find a solution. I am stuck in a loop now, without any solution :)). But thank you, again.

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Answer 10

Ota3000 Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 15, 2024 10:42 AM in response to varjak paw

Unfortunately, I tried every simple procedure on this page, but none of them worked.

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Answer 11

Ota3000 Author

Level 1

28 points

Dec 18, 2024 6:09 AM in response to g_wolfman

Thanks g_wolfman. I always connect my Iphone with a USB cable. It shows that the phone is connected on Photo, but it does not connect to Itunes or Finder.

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