iTunes is not showing my new 6s so I can restore old backup...

Question

iTunes is not showing my new 6s so I can restore old backup...

On my Mac, iTunes will NOT show my new 6s anywhere so that I can try to restore it from my backup of my 5s. When I plug it in, it is clearly being detected because the screen on the Mac pops up that I need to update my itunes (on the phone I believe). The computer has the latest version and is definitely updated as of tonight. I tried to go in and update the phone, rewipe, and set back up...but same issue over and over. The phone is not showing ANYWHERE in iTunes. Anyone have any thoughts at all. All of the trouble shooting with the apple info is completely useless as nothing is working for their do this and do that info...

iMac

Posted on Dec 9, 2015 6:18 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 9, 2015 6:41 PM in response to michellefromroscoe

If you are receiving the message that you need to update iTunes then the iTunes version on your mac is too old. On your Mac, click the Apple in the upper left of the screen, then choose "About this Mac", then report what it says at the top for your Mac OS version. If you are running a very old version of Mac OS then it's possible that you can not update iTunes any further.

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Answer 2

morrispe

Level 4

1,230 points

Dec 9, 2015 6:44 PM in response to michellefromroscoe

What version of OS X are you running on your Mac? If your OS X version is too old you won't be able to upgrade to the current 12.3.1 version of iTunes which appears to be why you're getting a prompt to update iTunes.

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Answer 3

Dec 9, 2015 8:01 PM in response to morrispe

I have Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. According to Apple, I have the latest version of iTunes and can't download another one. 😢

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Answer 4

Dec 9, 2015 8:03 PM in response to FishingAddict

Hi. It says Mac OS X Version 10.6.8

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Answer 5

sberman

Level 10

274,080 points

Dec 9, 2015 8:32 PM in response to michellefromroscoe

Indeed OS X 10.6.8 is too old, and this is your issue.

Current iTunes (12.3.1) requires at least OS X 10.8.5.

It's time to get a new computer.

You do have "the latest version of iTunes" ... that your obsolete version of OS X can run.

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Answer 6

sberman

Level 10

274,080 points

Dec 9, 2015 8:34 PM in response to michellefromroscoe

There is admittedly some chance your computer could have its OS X updated. Check here before purchasing a new computer.

Upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

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Answer 7

Dec 9, 2015 8:39 PM in response to sberman

Shoot! Well there is absolutely nothing wrong with this computer except this. So I guess we may try the El Capitan. I have enough space and memory available, but it recommends doing a back up before we do it. Sadly, I have to research that part and I don't think I have an external hard drive big enough. But it is something to look at as a maybe, and would be definitely cheaper than a computer, but in reality this may be a losing battle being they will keep doing more and more updates. Thanks sberman!

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Answer 8

sberman

Level 10

274,080 points

Dec 9, 2015 8:50 PM in response to michellefromroscoe

Well, rather than view it as a "losing battle", when I read your response, I think: "Wow, this will provide you the excuse you've needed for a long time to back up your system!" A backup is very cheap insurance. Electronics can (and do) fail at any time. Very likely you have things on your computer that you would really regret losing forever if you had a hardware failure. So I'm thinking "great ... you're going to consider creating a backup now!"

Apple makes the backup process very easy and automatic - if you provide a disk drive to hold the backups. The software (Time Machine) is included in OS X.

Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 9

Dec 12, 2015 11:41 AM in response to michellefromroscoe

Back at the "About My Mac" dialog, let us know what the make/model/processor is for your mac. I hate to add more bad news but it's very likely that if your Mac is currently running 10.6.8 then it can't run El Capitan. And, because 10.6.8 has been unsupported by Apple since 2014, you are no longer getting any security updates that are important to keeping you safe when connected to the Internet.

Time for a new Mac during the holidays.

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