Compatibility between iPhone 6S and older versions of iTunes

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Level 1

8 points

Compatibility between iPhone 6S and older versions of iTunes

OK, just purchased an iPhone 6s. Plugged into iTunes to restore from a local backup to get an error message "The iPhone “iPhone” cannot be used because it requires a newer version of iTunes. Go to www.itunes.com to download the latest version of iTunes". I tried to update iTunes to be told I have the latest version. (12.2.2.25). This of course is not the latest but seems the last version supported by my OS X version (10.7.5).

I have called support and the call handler (being as helpful as he could) told me there is nothing I can do. The iPhone 6S is not compatible without the latest iTunes software AND I have the latest OS X that can be supported by my Mac. (early 2008). The App Store prevents me downloading later versions of OS X, even though I have made upgrades along the way.

So I am stuck. I cannot use iTunes to restore the backup, neither can I use it to transfer music etc in the future.

First of all I am thinking what a stupid decision from Apple, as this may force many customers away from iTunes and its store. But then I am left thinking is this a plan to force people using old Mac's to buy new ones?

I don't want to do that, after all what makes macs so good is you don't have to update as often as windows based PCs. My is fine for what I do and with a few upgrades its still running like a dream.

So what can I do without buying a new Mac just so that I can update the iTunes software?? Apart from ditching Apple altogether, sending the phone back and going across to Android, PC based so I don't get caught out by Apples backward compatibility issues again!!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Feb 23, 2016 10:41 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Feb 23, 2016 10:44 AM in response to MarkCol

How you handle it is up to you, but you were given the correct information. Your version of OS X will not support the latest version of iTunes, and the latest version of iTunes is required for the newest iPhone and iOS 9.x.

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Feb 23, 2016 10:58 AM in response to MarkCol

You can backup with iCloud if you have that configured, however that does not address your iTunes library, since an iCloud backup does not include the iTunes library.

Without iTunes, you cannot manage your music library. That is the most significant part, and that was where I was headed when I said the determination is up to you. I'm a Windows user, so I've not encountered that issue. I don't know enough about Mac computers to make any recommendations, but I know that you can use Bootcamp on many Macs to load Windows. Maybe this is an option for you and you could use iTunes for Windows. How you would move that from the Mac side is also something I could not answer, but seasoned Mac users should be able to address that question for you.

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Answer 3

MarkCol Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2016 12:44 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks Chris. This is a genuine option. I am currently download the 32 bit version of Windows to use with bootcamp.

But if my mac is good enough to run iTunes on a windows OS, why on earth have Apple put a block on older versions of OS X in the first place? Apart from forcing upgrade (says the cynicism in me.)

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Answer 4

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Feb 23, 2016 12:51 PM in response to MarkCol

As I said, I'm not familiar with Mac, and to be honest, the discussion of why Apple would do anything is a violation of the TOS of the forum and is prohibited to discuss. The realist and logical thinker in me says that it is not forcing an upgrade, however as you know the way that Apple handles security updates in their OS, and after so long, an OS cannot support the latest updates, and there have been several OS updates since your last one. Just like Windows does not support some of its older versions, and they have probably gotten their last iTunes update too for XP and Vista. Good luck with your attempt.

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Answer 5

MarkCol Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2016 10:52 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks for that Chris. I was looking for advice on how I can handle it? I.E. how can I backup the iPhone 6S without iTunes. How can I manage my music library between my mac and the iPhone?

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Answer 6

Rudegar

Level 10

181,296 points

Feb 23, 2016 11:03 AM in response to MarkCol

You can install windows 7 in a virtual machine

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