Does iOS 11.3 still works with iTunes 12.6.3

Woodmeister, my issues with iTunes 12.7 are somewhat similar to yours. I can live with some of the 12.7 interface and might even be able to live with lost iTunes app management. However, my worst issues with the first try at 12.7 (and why I reverted to 12.6.3) is with podcast management. When I wanted to delete a podcast stream from my iPhone, iTunes 12.7 wanted to remove it from my Mac as well. Also, some individual podcasts (and some of my personal videos) got removed when I first tried 12.7. I do not want to lose podcasts on my Mac, much less lose videos. Until Apple can assure me it won't blow away my podcasts and videos, I really don't want to update to iTunes 12.7.

turingtest2 wrote:

...the apps are pulled directly from the app store over Wi-Fi rather than from local storage.

tt2

An there in is the real issue. If anything in that chain goes wrong,

you could sit there for a very long time with a dead phone. Or if

simply updating and your phone gets borked due to a break in that

chain.

But I guess your okay with that.

It works well enough for everyone who backs up to iCloud. When app thinning was introduced back in iOS 9 devices stopped getting universal versions of apps that ran on all models. Instead they got just the resources they needed. There was no fanfare, but at that point if you downloaded an app directly to your device, then backed up and transferred purchases, it would not have been copied into the library, yet restoring the device worked fine. At the end of the restore process all apps that weren't stored in the local library would be visible on the device on their respective pages and would start downloading over Wi-Fi, which is just what happens now. I am conscious that I spent time making sure that I downloaded apps to my computer that I'd already installed on my devices, and then downloaded updates to that computer, even though my devices had already updated, and then backed up my local downloads because you should. That maintenance effort has gone. There is a 64Gb Mobile Applications folder with some 730 rapidly outdated copies of my apps, many of which don't run on iOS 11, gathering digital dust on my hard drives and their backups. I've added new apps since last September and I'm okay with the idea that if the developer pulls them in a year or two, and I have no local copy, then I wouldn't be able to restore them. Most of the stuff I get is free or cheap. I'll have had my value out of it, and even if I had a copy the chances are they are the kind of thing that stops working after the next update because the developer won't update the code. So yes, I'm okay with that.

tt2

OTA updates have failed more than succeeded for me, I have seen similar comments posted stating this same thing. At this point I will just not update but if this is going to stay this way, Apple needs to give us an ability to turn off the nag to update. For me, I am not using ITunes without app management & I absolutely refuse to attempt any more OTA updates that might brick my device.

MJ1020 wrote:

OTA updates have failed more than succeeded for me,

....I absolutely refuse to attempt any more OTA updates that might brick my device.

It's been a coin toss for me, 3 of the 6 times I attempted OTA

I needed to do a full restore from iTunes.

In a school system we use laptops to manage iPads and their apps using iTunes accounts for each group. Education is one of the major places affected by this PITA removal of the app store from iTunes. As of right now, iTunes 12.6.4 will NOT restore a locked device to the current iOS 11.3 So if you have a locked device you cannot restore and update it to iOS 11.3 using iTunes 12.6.4 I have contacted our Apple engineer.

The engineer referred me to Apple Configurator which can reset and reinstall it.

I have found that you CAN manually install the ipsw file through iTune 12.6.4

This is the process for a passcode disabled device. Procedure may vary for non disabled.

Go to https://ipsw.me/ and find the type of the device (ex iPad), then the exact model (EX: ipad Air (WiFi) ), then select the current Signed IPSW file and click on it. Click the Download button. When the download box appears select ‘Save to File’ to download. When it finishes, locate the downloaded file. The library of the user you are logged in as needs to be visible for the next step. Move the file to the appropriate sub folder in iTunes (iPad Software Updates, iPod Software Updates or iPhone Software Updates) EX (don't include the quotes): /Users/”your home folder"/Library/iTunes/"iPad Software Updates"/”ipad_64bit_11.3.1_15E302_Restore.ipsw” (This is the iOS 11.3.1 restore file for an ipad Air)

Once the file is in place connect the device while holding its home key down and keep holding it down, device starts and eventually shows 'connect to iTunes'. In iTunes, hold down the option key and click 'Restore', then Restore and Update. You will be asked to locate the ipsw file. Do so. Boom goes the headshot. Device is erased and reloaded with the ipsw file you downloaded.

Try explaining that to your users...

Let them know at Feedback - iTunes - Apple.

tt2

Thanks for the update. 🙂

tt2

You may have missed the fact that if you let your devices update themselves they will each pull a much smaller delta update with the changes from the previous version.

tt2

With 12.7.x backup to iTunes works much as before except that during a restore the apps are pulled directly from the app store over Wi-Fi rather than from local storage.

tt2

I cannot upgrade to iOS11.3 with iTunes 6.7.3 or 6.7.4 it request iTunes upgrade to 12.7.3.

DO NOT download iTunes 12.6.3. I opened a ticket with Apple Support.

I have downloaded 12.6.4.3 and it will NOT upgrade my iPhone 6S to iOS 11.3.

It's saying it requires 12.7.3.

This is absolutely unacceptable in a business environment.

I have, but I'm not expecting much based on their previous lack of responses or consideration for business and non-OTA updating and management of devices and apps.

I was mildly surprised by the arrival of 12.6.4.3. Perhaps they'll listen and make another build for iTunes updating. One can only hope.

tt2