iOS 9.0.1 Message: This iPhone cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes

Question

iOS 9.0.1 Message: This iPhone cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes

iPhone 6 iOS 9.01, iMac 10.6.8 and iTunes 12.3

I did the 9.0 iOS update for iPhone yesterday. Bad.

Today I did update to 9.0.1. I recovered my contacts and calendar.

But my perfect iMac 10.6.8 seems to be getting the nudge.

Software Update iTunes version 11.4 "Is the current version" but I download is 12.3.

Any solution to the message when plugging in the iPhone to the iMac

Message: "This iPhone cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes."

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 23, 2015 8:02 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 23, 2015 9:37 PM in response to brianfrederick

You'll have to upgrade your version of OS X to get the latest version of iTunes.

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Answer 2

Sep 24, 2015 5:29 AM in response to brianfrederick

The root problem is this 4-year old iMac on Snow Leopard 10.6.8 cannot be upgraded.

According to "Software Update", OS 10.6.8 is the latest version available for this iMac.

Thanks Apple for obsoleting my iMac !

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Answer 3

Sep 24, 2015 7:11 AM in response to brianfrederick

Open the App Store and download 10.10.5 Yosemite for free.

Your machine can be upgraded.

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Answer 4

Sep 24, 2015 5:32 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Incorrect. 10.6.8 is the end of the road for Snow Leopard iMac purchased in 2010.

That's a shame, because this iMac has, until now, been trouble-free, a wonderful machine for sound studio work.

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Answer 5

Sep 24, 2015 7:10 AM in response to brianfrederick

http://www.everymac.com/mac-answers/os-x-yosemite-faq/os-x-yosemite-compatible-m acs-system-requirements.html

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Answer 6

Sep 24, 2015 5:41 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Thanks QuickTimeKirk for the link. I will try this and reply.

If the OS upgrade will indeed work, that will be great because there should be no reason to send this healthy iMac to the boneyard.

Best desktop machine I've had, and I have been using Apple since 1978 !

Thanks

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Answer 7

BobHarris

Level 9

53,147 points

Sep 24, 2015 7:22 AM in response to brianfrederick

I have a 2009 iMac that will run Yosemite (and El Capitan when it is released).

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Answer 8

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Sep 24, 2015 7:40 AM in response to brianfrederick

Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks/Yosemite/El Capitan.

To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) model number 7,1 or higher

Your Mac needs:

OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed
2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)
8 GB or more of available space

Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.

Application Compatibility

Applications Compatibility (2)

Do a backup before installing, preferable 2 backups on 2 different drives.

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Answer 9

Sep 24, 2015 5:37 PM in response to brianfrederick

I'm having this issue as well, but...

How are you running iTunes 12.3 on 10.6.8? I've also got 10.6.8 running on a MacPro, but iTunes is telling me that 11.4 is the current version.

Is there a way to revert to 9.0 (which worked fine with iTunes 11.4)? I don't want to install Yosemite.

iPhone 5 (9.0.1)

MacPro (10.6.8)

iTunes 11.4

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Answer 10

Sep 24, 2015 6:48 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I looked at that, but I have a Macbook 4,1 (the earliest one mentioned in your link is 5,1). Also, tried installing Yosemite already, and it told me my computer wasn't compatible. So does this mean I'm screwed? Figure out how to restore my iphone to factory default, then restore it from the backup I made just before the update?

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Answer 11

BugRidge

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2015 3:31 AM in response to brianfrederick

I have the same problem with recently upgraded iPhone 5c ios 9.01, MacBook Pro 10.6.8 (W87180N3W0J) and iTunes 11.4. I have been told my computer is an earlier 2007 model and has upgrade restrictions. I have been hesitant to upgrade for obvious reasons. Everything was working fine until I upgraded my phone. Is there a way to go back?

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Answer 12

Sep 25, 2015 11:40 AM in response to brianfrederick

I decided I am not going to upgrade the OS on my iMac to Yosemite. I've got many purchased apps, a large file collection, plus my Pro Tools system and entire sound studio is on that iMac.

I have fear of losing apps or having to re-purchase applications, damaging my ProTools setup, losing required system files, and degradation of the iMac based on going to a higher OS level... WAY too much risk. I may as well buy a new machine and replace all software.That's about $2,500.00 of cost...all due to this brilliant iOS 9 release !!

I do like the idea of reverting the iPhone back to iOS 8.

I'll do that tonight.

Thanks for this link!

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Answer 13

Sep 25, 2015 11:49 AM in response to carmen lxv

Carmen LXV I mis-spoke about the iTunes version, I am at 11.4.

I did download the latest iTunes 12.3 to the iMac, but running the update got stopped by iTunes, saying I need to upgrade my OS to 10.8+.

And my iMac says the 10.6.8 OS is the current release, so no update possible. I will not take the Yosemite trip.

I am choosing to downgrade my iPhone6 iOS from 9.0.1 to iOS 8.

PROPOSED SOLUTION:

My iMac OS will stay at 10.6.8 snow leopard

My iTunes will stay at 11.4.

My iPhone (pray) will go backwards from iOS 9.0.1 back to iOS 8.

And I will have to remember to ignore all iOS update invitations.

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Answer 14

Sep 25, 2015 1:17 PM in response to brianfrederick

brianfrederick, to do this are you using the DFU approach that I've seen in Google searches?

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Answer 15

Sep 25, 2015 1:29 PM in response to carmen lxv

Carmen lxv

I will use this link, supplied by Erik Root

http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/iosapps/how-downgrade-from-ios-9-to-8-7-reinsta ll-ios-8-3522302/

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