HT203434: Restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup when a later version of iOS is required
Learn about Restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup when a later version of iOS is required
Q: iPhone restore "requires newer version of iOS"
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Feb 20, 2016 9:40 PMby gail from maine,Well, if you are getting the iOS message, then that means that the iOS on the device is not as current as the iOS that was used to make the backup. So, you would need to see if you can hook the device up to iTunes, and click on Update first. Once the iOS is updated, you should be able to access the backup.
Cheers,
GB
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Feb 22, 2016 12:07 PMby sberman,HelpfulD. Scott wrote:
Error message that pops up in iTunes on the MacBook is that it "requires a newer version of iOS." I found the Apple document HT203434 describing this problem ...
Indeed that article you refer to discusses how to get a newer version of iOS.
But that is not your problem. Your problem is that you already have a newer version of iOS (9.2.1) which requires a newer version of iTunes than your OS X 10.6.8 can handle.
So short of purchasing a new Mac and replacing your old one, you might try to use Migration Assistant to move your user information to a different Mac that you already have. Simply set up your migrated information as a new user on the Mac.
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Feb 20, 2016 10:11 PMby D. Scott,The iOS on the device was 9.2.1 at the time of the backup. The new phone received from the Apple Store must've had an earlier iOS from the factory. It did update properly to 9.2.1, which is the most recent iOS. Yet I still get the message. But thank you for the attempt.
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Feb 20, 2016 10:16 PMby D. Scott,Great thought, sberman. Thank you. I'll give that a shot. Odd thing is that the phone already had iOS 9.2.1 installed when it was successfully backed up. THAT would be the time to get a message that a backup wouldn't be possible. I'd then choose another system. Also, the message refers to needing the newer version of the iOS, not the OS. Checking on the Migration Assistant...
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Feb 20, 2016 10:20 PMby sberman,D. Scott wrote:
... I'd then choose another system...
But "choosing another system" is a pretty big deal in Apple's world. After all, your computer and iPhone must be associated. And your computer must be authorized to your Apple ID. You want to make sure you can continue to sync on a computer, and there is no question about what Apple ID owns the material there.
That's why I would recommend Migration Assistant. Instead of looking like you've picked a temporary new computer to house your stuff (e.g., backup), it will look like you simply moved your home from an old computer to a new one.
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Feb 20, 2016 10:27 PMby D. Scott,No Gail, that would've made the issue simple. lol I don't trust iCloud for backups. "There's no cloud - it's just someone else's computer." I use Time Machine, after backing up directly to one of the laptops. I'm actually going to try to bypass Migration Assistant. I found the actual backup. About 11 GBs. I'll just copy it into the same folder on my newest laptop and see if that works. It should. But I'll report back for safety.
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Feb 22, 2016 12:06 PMby D. Scott,I started to use Migration Assistant. But stopped the process about 15 minutes in, since I was seeing that it would take 11 hours. Not acceptable. I didn't realize that M.A. would transfer everything. I just needed the one simple file - you can't be selective like you can with Time Machine. HOWEVER, after my laptop restarted, I saw that apparently the basics of the other account had been transferred in that short period (I was given the option to log into that account or my regular one). I then located and copied the iPhone backup from the older laptop to a portable hard drive and then copied it to the proper folder in that account. It restored to the phone correctly, though with none of the apps.
I started a tech support phone call and spoke to a great guy named Dash who was familiar with the 10.6.8 situation. He guided me into simply downloading the already-paid-for apps. He also told me to do a search on the Apple site for OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion), which I could purchase for $20 and which would install on the older MacBook, giving me the updated iTunes necessary for future iPhone backups until I decided to upgrade that one laptop.
Dash started to tell me an easier way of simply copying some files rather than using Migration Assistant but then cut to the chase once he realized I already had the basics installed.
So, now the phone is back to normal and I'm simply waiting 24-48 hours for email delivery of 10.8. :-)
