Updated my iPhone to iOS v9, now can't use it with my iTunes

I had the same same situation and I learned the hard way too; that the iCloud does not backup the actual Apps. However, it was explained to me by an Apple customer service rep., Therefore I did not pay for an iCloud storage. I am sure that if you call back and explain the situation, Apple would reverse the charge and the iCloud storage fees.

Thanks for the help. I got the same iTunes message, and then I also was told I had to upgrade my OS. I thought that I was going to have to purchase the OS before I could transfer from my 4S to my new 6sPlus. But, I followed your directions, and it worked! I will probably have to upgrade my OS to get ITunes to recognize my new phone. One message said I would have to use at least Yosemite.( I see where it is now called El Capitan and is a free upgrade.}

I am in my late 60s and certainly not a techie; however, I purchased my first Mac (MacPlus) in 1986. Thanks again so much.

I know this is older, but I have been fighting this error message since I got my 6S+. I have two Macs, one running SL the other EC. I dont worry about backups as I have my EC machine to do that to. I use my SL machine for a media server to my Apple TV. I cannot stream anything because as soon as the error pops up, it cuts off everything until it is dismissed. I am not looking to sync my iPhone, just stop the error message like I am trying to sync it. I have deleted all the backups stored, signed out of the store and deauthorized the machine and they persist. This tells me it is a local issue, likely a small file that keeps linking the new iPhone to iTunes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

For reference:

Mac Mini 10.6.8

Mac Mini 10.11.1

iPhone 6S+ (Launch Day Unit)

Apple TV 3

SL will not update to the current iTunes, and I think your Apple TV is looking for a more current version iTunes.

I'm back on 10.6.8 for the time being (new mbpr 15 got stolen... thanks apple for refusing to implement easy methods for deterring thieves) and am infuriated by this issue because iTunes 12.4 was working just fine until I reset my phone, at which point it is giving me the "you need to download iTunes..." (a minor gripe is that the fix described in the dialog box obviously doesn't work for older OS's). So now my phone is wiped and I can't restore the backup. I suppose I'll have to find the backup file, send it to a friend, and have them restore it for me. Surely dealing with apple ID's and whatnot will be a nightmare, but I expect it to work.

Sometimes apple's general superiority just ends up causing me to be less careful.

Can't thank you enough for the detailed info. Love the User Name you chose. I'm thoroughly disappointed with Apple. It's a disgrace. Thanks stopping my headache lasting longer than 24 hours! Much appreciated.

Just a heads up, I have just recently had this problem with my iPhone 6 and my MacBook Pro running 10.6.8, but only AFTER I restored it to factory settings and downloaded an iCloud backup (rescuing an accidentally deleted text thread - but the inability to undo deleted text threads is a complaint for another time). I was previously able to sync my iPhone with iOS 9.2.1 to my iTunes 11.4 on 10.6.8 up until this point. I am not sure what varied between my reset and iCloud backup download and that of NotYetViolentOverThis (lolz at your name though). Would love to see this resolved, but I see it's been an issue since the first release of iOS 9.0.1 so... 0.2 updates later and nothing seems to have improved...

If you were able to sync prior to your factory reset, using iOS 9 then why is it not ok to use iOS 9 on older versions of iTunes? It clearly works? Apple forcing customers to buy new macs?

Did using iCloud allow your music library to be sync'd as well?

This is surely a big &^%* up by Apple? Surely it is not legal to do this intentionally? On updating my iOS on phone, I was not warned about the fact that it will terminate the connection between my phone and my mac?

I wasn't even aware, because I hadn't connected to iTunes since updating, until my wife bought an iPhone 6S, and on connecting to iTunes discovered this fiasco.

iCloud is a possible work around but only if it does the music and the photos as well.

Did this also copy your iTunes music library?

I'm having the same problem with a new iPhone 6. Funny thing is, I have another iPhone 6 that syncs perfectly. One works and the other needs a new version of iTunes?

The new iphone 6 (iOS 9.2.1 13D15) gives me this message:

The iPhone “Katie 6” cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes.

The old iPhone connects fine. It has the exact same iOS. It's the same model phone and the same carrier.

The computer is an iMac with OS X 10.6.8. iTunes is 11.4.

Why would one work and the other not?

Just want to say that Matt W's comments in this thread have been spot on. I've been dealing with this same issue now myself, and once you start to realize the full extent to which Apple kicks users on "old" hardware to the curb (and this is an issue across all the different Apple devices I own) for what sure feels like arbitrary, financially motivated reasons, it becomes rather infuriating.

Makes me feel like, if I can ween myself off Apple devices for mobile and TV applications, and just use my Macs in more of an isolated fashion, my life would be improved.

I hear you, It's so frustrating!

This has been so very frustrating.

I believe it is time to ween from our neglectful conglomerate 😠