Updates for iPhone 12 mini (from 17.7) to work w/ MacBook Pro OS Big Sur 11.7.10

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Updates for iPhone 12 mini (from 17.7) to work w/ MacBook Pro OS Big Sur 11.7.10

First, I recently updated my MacBook Pro (15" 2014) to OS Big Sur 11.7.10 ... Now, my Mac says my iPhone 12 mini (iOS 17.7) also needs to be updated or they can't work together anymore!🙄 So, just checking, is the iOS 26.2.1 update my only option? Or are there any intermediate versions still available (like an 18) that could take care of this problem? (I'm kinda nervous about committing to such a big update all at once! lol)

TIA 🫠

iPhone 12 mini, iOS 17

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 11:25 PM

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Answer 1

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Kurtosis12

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Feb 5, 2026 1:34 AM in response to IamFridaK

iOS 26.2.1 is the only option for your iPhone 12 mini. You are very far behind on updates, you will probably need to update using a computer.

Click on this link for instructions on how to update your phone using a computer

Update iOS on iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Feb 5, 2026 4:14 AM in response to IamFridaK

Not as time-critical – but you'll also need to update by next January if you want iMessages ad FaceTime to keep working.

There is an iOS 18 update with the fix, but it's not available to anyone whose phone can run iOS 26. So updating either to iOS 26, or to its successor (if that one is compatible with the iPhone 12 mini), will be the only way to get that fix.

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