pcdunk

Q: Is iTunes 12.5.1 a requirement for syncing a device with iOS10.

I have a 27" 2011 iMac running Mountain Lion. I have no desire to update the OS as some of my current software won't run. Now I use this machine for syncing up my music, calendar, etc  to, 1 iPad mini, 1 iPad mini2, 2 iphone 4 and 1 ipod touch and all sync fine.

All this hardware works fine for me. However if I wish to purchase an iPad mini 4 and it is running iOS10 I am basically out of luck as iTunes 12.5.1 won't run on Mountain Lion. Also I have no desire to use iCloud. Any solution apart from trying to get an iPad mini 4 that is still running iOS9

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 15, 2016 9:24 AM

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Q: Is iTunes 12.5.1 a requirement for syncing a device with iOS10.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Sep 15, 2016 9:59 AM in response to pcdunk
    Level 9 (53,914 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 9:59 AM in response to pcdunk

    There is no solution, nor has there been any solution to this issue since computers were first made.  From what I have read iTunes 12.5.1 was released to "support iOS 10", and iTunes 12.5.1 requires OS X version 10.9.5 or later.  Typically an iOS version requires the iTunes version that exists at the time of the iOS release, and iTunes 12.5 was released at the same time.

  • by pcdunk,

    pcdunk pcdunk Sep 15, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (21 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Limnos

    Is a pity they couldn't have removed such a stringent installation requirement and left minor compatibility with Mountain Lion at least for syncing. Better make sure my wife does not update her iPad mini 2 to iOS10 and if I want to get myself an iPad mini 4 I will need to try and get one with iOS9 or lower.

    I suspect this limitation was put in place because of the large change to iTunes  

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Sep 15, 2016 12:03 PM in response to pcdunk
    Level 9 (53,914 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 15, 2016 12:03 PM in response to pcdunk

    Apple nominally supports hardware pretty much as-is for 5 years. Hardware support in practice extends to 8 years as long as you do software upgrades. iTunes 12.5.1 would work on my late 2008 MacBook if I decided to install it (I am happy with iTunes 7.5).  Apple's response to you would be, "You should be running El Capitan on a 2011 Mac."  As for the older software the stock reply would be, "Upgrade your other software."  Once software or hardware enters unsupported status it is as if it had never existed, and your Mountain Lion has been replaced 3 times already and about to be relegated to 5th place when Sierra comes out next week.  Once a system is 4 years old and been superseded 4 times I bet they don't even try to run newer developments on it.