'The iPhone cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes.

I have the same problem for my newer iPhone 6s. I run 10.8.5 very happily on my desktop system. After my disbelief that this would happen turned into reluctant acceptance, I called Applecare and confirmed that there was absolutely no way around not updating my OS.

I ended up creating a new partition on an external drive and installing Sierra. Then I created a new user for that OS.

My music is stored on another external drive as well. The new partition running Sierra was able to use the same iTunes library as my 10.8.5 system. At least I didn't have to create two parallel music libraries.

So the only way to manage my own music on the iPhone is to log out of my 10.8.5 system, and startup the new partition.

Once an OS is abandoned by Apple, it leaves us in a black hole.

Webber,

It is not a consolation, but with the event of all this new technology, All OS's are becoming obsolete very quickly, and

Windows is no different. I like to think of this Computer age as being in it's infancy, as it is, and you know how fast children grow out of their clothes.

I just got a Mac mini and I really like it, though I am brand new to Apple (except for my iPhone 5c), and would appreciate a personal set of suggestions and instructions on how to set up the filing Systems that will be taking up room on my Mac, (and phone). Also the best way of trimming down the data phat on the iPhone. With Windows you can actually create your own virtual cloud space. Can some of the phone files be moved to a different cloud? (Dropbox

or Google Drive?) Sorry to ask for instructions, but I want to do it right.

R Weber

Open the MacApp Store app and do an upgrade.

Software update, upgrade--what's the difference? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1444

OS X: Updating OS X and Mac App Store apps - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338

Reference releases; update vs. upgrade

I'm having the same problem. How do I upgrade the MacApp Store app?

If Limnos' solution doesn't work for you, start your own thread and post the complete details of your problem along with everything you have tried so far to solve the problem.

This is extremely bad form on the part of Apple. We should not be forced to upgrade desktop OS's just because they can't stop issuing updates to iOS. i'm stuck with a phone i can't back up -- of course Apple wants me to PAY THEM to use iCloud to make up the difference, or buy an entirely new computer that can run the new OS's i don't even want to use. Shame on you, Apple. You're perfectly capable of producing backwards-compatible software.

Signed,

A customer since 1987 and ready to bail.