Help with iTunes, iOS 10.0.1 on 32 bit machine

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Level 1

18 points

Help with iTunes, iOS 10.0.1 on 32 bit machine

I have an iPhone 5s with iOS 9.3.5. I'm running iTunes 12.1.3 on a PC operating with Windows XP. Just checked on software updates for the phone and iTunes, and was told (by iTunes) that iOS 10.0.1 requires iTunes 12.1.2. Note the version numbers. I'm not accustomed to downgrades in software versions, so contacted Apple support and was told not to download iOS 10 to my phone and attempt to sync as it would create big potential problems.

A year ago, Apple introduced the iTunes version I am using (12.1.3) that would enable users to sync iPhones (and other devices) running iOS 9, on computers running Windows XP. Is there any knowledge about whether Apple will provide a similar "patched up" iTunes version to help those of us with dinosaur computers to sync phones with iOS 10.0.1 to iTunes? I realize that iOS 10 is just now out and Apple has had a few problems with it, so my issues are no where near the top of their list. Yet, I do have a problem that needs a solution. AND, buying upgrading operating systems on a computer that otherwise works just fine is not a good solution for me.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.5

Posted on Sep 14, 2016 9:54 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 14, 2016 1:42 PM in response to CWT TX

CWT TX wrote:

I have an iPhone 5s with iOS 9.3.5. I'm running iTunes 12.1.3 on a PC operating with Windows XP. Just checked on software updates for the phone and iTunes, and was told (by iTunes) that iOS 10.0.1 requires iTunes 12.1.2

Are you sure of that last number? My understanding is that iTunes 12.5.1 is required to install iOS 10, although my updated iPhone 6+ was seen by iTunes 12.4.3. If you're running iTunes 12.1.3 on Windows XP do not upgrade to iOS 10. It might work, but there is no path back if it doesn't, and I don't think it will be able to restore the device if the need arises later.

tt2

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Answer 2

CWT TX Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 14, 2016 5:22 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am sure about the version numbers in my initial communication. As I understand it, Apple created/modified/adapted (whatever) iTunes 12.1.3 to accommodate 32 and 64 bit processors in old machines running Windows XP and perhaps even Vista. That was done so that, iPhones and other devices that were upgrading to iOS9 back in 2015 could still be synced using iTunes on their computers. I believe it was a special iOS version for that purpose. Those versions are still available for download today in the iTunes store for that very purpose.

You are correct that 12.5.1 is required for iOS10 under "normal" circumstances, that is with users with newer computers and operating systems running iTunes.

In my first message, I was wondering if anyone knew if Apple would make the same sort of iTunes accommodation for Windows XP and Vista users for iOS10, just like they did a year ago when for iOS9 was introduced.

Granted, those of us with those old computers have already seen lots of notifications that support has ended for XP and Vista, but there are still thousands upon thousands of Windows XP and Vista machines that are functioning pretty well with these "obsolete" operation systems...and some percentage of them have iTunes and iPhones and would like to be able to sync them.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 14, 2016 5:51 PM in response to CWT TX

12.1.3 was an out of sequence release of iTunes to support iOS 9 on XP & Vista. However support wasn't added for the iPhone SE released later which perhaps suggests that was a one-time reprieve. If I get time tomorrow I might try installing 12.1.3 just to see if it will talk to my iOS 10 device.

tt2

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Answer 4

CWT TX Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 14, 2016 6:15 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you!

While Apple may have made that reprieve for iOS9, I am hoping it will now turn out to NOT be a one time thing, and that they will find it in their hearts to once again "help a guy out" with some sort of special version of iTunes. Appreciate hearing about anything you learn from your own experiment you've describe above, or otherwise.

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Answer 5

Blam1

Level 1

4 points

Sep 14, 2016 6:53 PM in response to CWT TX

iOS 10 requires iTunes 12.5.1

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 16, 2016 1:42 PM in response to CWT TX

Yesterday got busy, but I've been able to look at this today.

From what I can see iTunes 12.5.1.21 might be the minimum version of iTunes required if you are going to install/restore iOS 10.0.1 to a device via iTunes. However I have just removed my current version of iTunes and installed iTunes 12.1.3.6 connected to a new empty test library. It is able to communicate with my iPhone 6+ running iOS 10.0.1. It is has just completed updating a backup set with no apparent difficulty. It also offered to transfer purchases but I didn't have time or space to let it.

It would seem that those running Windows XP or Vista may be allowed to update their devices to iOS 10.0.1 after all, provided they can do an over the air upgrade and have no need to restore using iTunes for Windows (iCloud would be OK). That said it might still be unwise to do so as there is no telling if or when Apple might make a change that breaks compatibility.

tt2

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Answer 7

CWT TX Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 16, 2016 3:34 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you very much for your effort and advice. Much appreciated.

I do have the capability to do an upgrade of my iPhone 5s to iOS10 over the air, but share the concern you have raised about the possibility that Apple will do something that prevents the presently apparent ability to sync to iTunes on my XP machine. I guess I am also hopeful that the powers-that-be at Apple will, in time, offer a stepchild version of iTunes for folks like myself. My recollection was that the 12.1.2 and subsequently 12.1.3 came a few weeks after iOS 9 was introduced last year, after the dust had settled from what I recall was a somewhat rocky roll out of ver. 9

Admitting that I am a dunce when it comes to this stuff, would appreciate any thoughts you might have about this site I found when researching my problem. Sounds too good to be true, but then again, I sure don't know. They claim to have an option for older Windows versions.

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/70-apple-itunes-for-windows.html

If this is a fix, I would be thrilled, but equally, I am not interested in blowing something up with something that is not legit.

Thanks again for all of your help.

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Answer 8

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 16, 2016 7:03 PM in response to CWT TX

The descriptions on that page are wrong. iTunes 12.5.1 is for Windows 7 upwards only. I wouldn't download iTunes from a site like that, it will probably involve some adware-ridden download helper.

tt2

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Answer 9

Sep 16, 2016 7:03 PM in response to CWT TX

CWT TX wrote:

would appreciate any thoughts you might have about this site I found when researching my problem. Sounds too good to be true, but then again, I sure don't know. They claim to have an option for older Windows versions.

I completely agree with turingtest2: No third-party site has any legitimate version of iTunes that you can't get directly from Apple. Out of curiosity I clicked their special link for XP, and it gave me what appeared to be an iTunes 11.1.5.5 installer - an old version that would be useless for supporting mobile devices running iOS 8, 9 or 10. Of course I then deleted the file.

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Answer 10

CWT TX Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 16, 2016 7:05 PM in response to turingtest2

Thank you for your point of view. Like I said, I thought it might be too good to be true. You confirmed my hunch.

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Answer 11

CWT TX Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 16, 2016 7:09 PM in response to Marvin Martianul

Thanks for jumping in. Appreciate that you checked out the link for XP at that site. Great advice about not relying on third parties for anything "Apple" that cannot be sourced directly from Apple.

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Answer 12

Sep 18, 2016 7:56 AM in response to CWT TX

Get from evergreen file depositories like filehippo, eg http://filehippo.com/download_itunes/history/

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Answer 13

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 18, 2016 8:27 AM in response to Ideasmiths

All versions of iTunes 12 and the last build of 11 are here, direct from Apple's own servers. Selected older versions, usually the last of each major revision, or the last compatible with a given platform, can be found at http://support.apple.com/downloads/itunes again direct from Apple.

tt2

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Answer 14

yacheah

Level 1

19 points

Sep 19, 2016 8:40 AM in response to turingtest2

Hi

Have there been any developments to this since 16 Sep?

I am in the same boat and would like to try iOS 10. I can update over Wi Fi rather than iTunes but would still like to be able to sync with iTunes afterwards.

The same thing happened to me on iOS 9. Then my Mac OS X 10.6.8 was too old for a newer version of iTunes that was compatible with iOS 9. I was able to update via Wi Fi then and then sync with my older iTunes afterwards on the initial release. I didn't know there was even a problem because I didn't update through iTunes. However, I thought it would be OK from then and did the next iOS 9 update via iTunes - it did update but then iTunes could no longer detect the iPhone thereafter. Apple then basically told me to buy a new Mac or pay for more backup space on iCloud. I didn't because I rip my own music from CD's and don't purchase anything from iTunes.

I left my iPhone 4S unbacked up for months until I got a a 6S. I transferred iTunes from Mac to 12.1.3 on a Windows Vista 32 bit PC which was the other computer I have. It's been working fine since until now, the same problem rears its ugly head with iOS 10.

So if turingtest2 can confirm that after the latest over the air update, his 6S will still be able to sync music and backup the phone to iTunes 12.1.3, then I don't mind trying it out. My biggest use other than the phone itself is to be able to sync music via iTunes. If I am unable to do that then all the bells and whistles of iOS 10 do not matter to me and I will stick with iOS 9 until I can afford to buy a new computer which won't be in the near future.

I believe Apple is making a mistake as users of older PCs who had originally wished to purchase a new iPhone 7 will now find themselves having to cough up for a new computer too.

By the way Vista is still supported by Windows until April 2017.

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Answer 15

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Sep 19, 2016 9:15 AM in response to yacheah

You really don't get to try a new version of iOS. You either upgrade or you don't. You cannot go back if you're not happy. As given when I tested my iPhone 6+ on iOS 10.0.1 it was able to backup to iTunes 12.1.3.6, updating a backup that had earlier been updated by 12.5.1.21. I didn't actually update the phone as I was testing with an empty library, but iTunes offered to transfer purchases and I've no reason to think it wouldn't have worked if I had tried.

While making images for this post I noticed (last image) that Apple Mobile Device Support has been using the same set of driver files since June last year. It begs the question why do so many people have trouble connecting to their devices after an iTunes update if the driver is unchanged, but hints that you're unlikely to have problems until that driver really does change. Of course for all I know Apple could release iOS 10.1 next week as a mandatory update, and the break compatibility with anything before 12.5.x... 😕

Whatever Microsoft's position, Apple have stopped supporting Vista. Not a decision they are likely to reverse.

tt2

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