"Can't install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server"

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Level 1

4 points

"Can't install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server"

I have a family member who for whatever reason still keeps her Mac running Mojave. She says that she's been getting a message recently that a software update is needed to connect to her iPhone running iOS 27. But when she clicks on "install," it tries to download then says, "Can't install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server." She says it's been doing this for about a week now. Has anyone else had a problem like this?

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 1:07 PM

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Answer 1

MrHoffman

Level 10

165,771 points

Oct 3, 2026 3:17 PM in response to Zilogger

Probably not the cause, but… On the off chance this Mac is configured with its own local software update server, first see if they have current backups. If they do have current backups, then check if a software update server customization file exists. If the file does exist, delete it (using rm, shown), or rename it (using mv, not shown):

ls /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist
sudo defaults rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

You’ll need an admin password for that sudo.

Then restart the Mac, and try iTunes again.

Much more likely, though: this macOS 10.14 iTunes is just too old for iOS 27, and a version of macOS using Finder for device sync is required. But I can’t find a spec for the minimum supported macOS version.

Condolences, too. These family-support efforts can be all too reminiscent of the Kobayashi Maru “no win” test, replete with no backups or faulty backups, avoidable messes, hardware errors, oft-problematic apps loaded, etc.

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