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How do I sync iPhone 5 with Mac G5 OS 10.5.8?

The Mac sync requirements for the new iPhone 5 list the minimum system requirements as OS 10.6.8 or later with iTunes 10.7. My G5 can only go as high as OS 10.5.8., with iTunes 10.6.3.


Also, iCloud syncing requires (I believe) the same minimum requirements.


QUESTION: Is there a work-around? How can I get the content from my iTunes on my Mac G5 onto the new iPhone 5 with iOS6? I have the new iPhone 5 on order and would really like use it with my current iTunes account and sync it with my data.


NOTE: I am able to sync my iPad 2 just fine with my G5 via my iTunes. I also have wi-fi.

Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), Mac OS X (10.5.8), One 2 TB hd + 500 GB HD 16 GB RAM

Posted on Sep 19, 2012 9:40 AM

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79 replies

Sep 19, 2012 9:54 AM in response to djtnyc

There is no work around for the iphone 5. The reason why you can sync with your ipad 2 is because you meet the system requirements for it. iCloud requires 10.7 or higher OSX so unfortunately you are out of luck with your G5. I would suggest if you could run windows in a virtual machine you can update to itunes 10.7 and go from there. The other option is updating your Mac to a newer machine.

Sep 19, 2012 9:57 AM in response to djtnyc

One other option. Do you own an iphone 3GS or higher phone? If so you can use icloud on it and backup your phone to icloud and then just use the iclould backup over the air to set up your iphone 5. You won't lose anything. The only thing you will not be able to get back is music because that is on your G5. The other option to that would be to do as Mike suggests and use match and put all your music there.

Sep 19, 2012 10:07 AM in response to djtnyc

You CAN use match with iTunes 10.6.3:

iTunes Match FAQs

Who can use iTunes Match?
Anyone with an Apple ID in the U.S and select other countries can use iTunes Match. You also need iTunes 10.5.1 or later on your Mac or PC and iOS 5.0.1 or later on your iPhone 3GS or later, iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), or iPad.

Getting Started

  1. 1. Go to iTunes on your computer, choose iTunes Match in the sidebar, enter your Apple ID and password, and click Subscribe.
  2. 2. iTunes Match will start scanning and matching your library and uploading your music to iCloud right away.
  3. 3. When it’s finished, you’ll see an iCloud icon in your iTunes library next to those songs stored in the cloud.
  4. 4. To turn on iTunes Match on your iOS devices, go to Settings, tap Music, and turn on iTunes Match.

Sep 19, 2012 10:40 AM in response to djtnyc

I'm going to the Apple store now to make an appointment to talk to a genius. I may have to cancel the iPhone 5 order. I don't want to buy a new Mac just to use the phone. It's not just the cost of a new computer I don't need, it's the cost of updating all my software. Ugh!


My G5 is loaded and works great.

Sep 19, 2012 1:00 PM in response to djtnyc

Thank you all for your input and suggestions. Much appreciated.


I just came back from talking to a knowledgable Apple employee at the Apple store. For anyone else in my postion who wants to buy an iPhone 5 (iOS6) here it is:


I can save ONLY my Contacts and Calendar data (and maybe my bookmarks) to iCloud from my iPad 2. Then sync up the iPhone 5 to that info in iCloud. This is free. That's all that I can sync that way.


And as long as I stick to iOS 5 on my iPad 2, I can continue to sync everything on my iPad with my G5, as I have been.


The bottom line for the iPhone 5 is: I cannot sync anything else, including music, pictures apps and files in Leopard and iTunes 10.6.3. Those require a minimum of iTunes 10.7, which is too advanced to be installed under Leopard OS 10.5.8. The highest version that works in Leopard is iTunes 10.6.3.


Match also requires at least iTunes 10.7 for iOS6 devices.


Obviously, when I upgrade to an Intel Mac (with at least OSX 10.6.8 or higher) I'll have a newer iTunes that syncs everything else with iOS6. In iCloud or otherwise.


In other words, Leopard users can't sync their content the iPhone 5. The only way is to email it to yourself, I guess.

Sep 19, 2012 7:13 PM in response to Sparesy

I am normally a big fan of Apple and their products, and have spent many thousands of dollars for decades purchasing and wrestling with their update paths.


I just came back from my second trip to the Apple store today, after having made an appointment earlier today to talk to an Apple genius.


My question is very focused, after having been reading Q and A and suggestions at forumsclikecthis one: What exactlly can I sync and what can't I sync between my iPad which is stuck at iOS 5 on my legacy G5 Mac, with the new iPhone 5 I pre-ordered last Wednesday at 4:00 AM?


To be shipped this Friday.


The "geniuses" are overwhelmed by customers, and in the sixty seconds he was generious enough to bestow on me, he spent it rushing me impatiently and finally saying he had no more time, and would have to get back to me. The concierge spent all his time trying to sell me more Mac equipment rather than on why I was there. I made this evening appointment 6 hours earlier online.


Suffice it to say, the "geniuses" are worthless. And I am very disappointed with Apple's unwillingness to help customers make their new products compatible with their legacy systems.


Frankly, I left that store with a very bad taste in my mouth over this shoddy treatment. I've spent hours trying to find anwsers to pretty **** basic questions. What can I sync and what can't I sync on the iPhone 5 with different OS's.? And HOW do I sync what I can sync?


Duh? Screw Apple. I am so ****** at them I am seriously thinking of just cacnelling the iphone 5 order. I don't the **** thing.

How do I sync iPhone 5 with Mac G5 OS 10.5.8?

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