Does iTunes 12.8.0 no longer support older iPods

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Does iTunes 12.8.0 no longer support older iPods

I just bought a new iMac, all software has been updated, however iTunes no longer recognizes my 2nd Gen iPod touch, or my old iPhone 3G. The message I get when I plug them into the machine is as follows:

iTunes could not connect to the iPhone (or iPod) because an invalid response was received from the device.

I have no problem updating my iPhone 5, or my iPhone 6S+. but I can't update or add music to my 2 older devices (BTW - I use them for the gym and in the car as music players)

I have looked and tried the solutions people had a few years ago with other versions of iTunes and issues with these older devices. I have reset to factory setting on both devices, deleted old back ups, did the whole restore from file and from iTunes (which is weird because it recognizes the devise in restore mode). The system profiler shows the iPod or iPhone in the "USB" devices when plugged in so I'm stymied as what the problem is. I am also ****** because I lost some old apps, that are no longer available or have been upgraded and no longer have support for older iOS versions.

Does anyone have a fix for this, or is there any 3rd party software that you can use to do this. I tried iMazing, but it too does not recognize these devices in their new versions.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am running macOS High Sierra, version 10.13.6 - only because some programs I have and need are not 64 bit, and not supported according to System Information > Software > Applications

iMac, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Oct 29, 2018 7:42 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Oct 29, 2018 8:52 AM in response to Sam Iam

Your device should be recognized by current version of iTunes. I'm able to use my iPod classic with both iTunes 12.8 and 12.9 on both Mac and Windows. See If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support. You could try reinstalling iTunes while your device is connected and unlocked. This has been helping iOS 12 users get devices connected to iTunes, and could potentially help with your issue too.

tt2

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Answer 2

Sam Iam Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 30, 2018 3:59 AM in response to turingtest2

I don't think it's a connection issue, it has to do with compatibility and the old iOS. Like I said, the same thing happens with my iPhone 3G. Both are running the old iOS, there seems to be no problem with the new or newer iOS's since my iPhone 5 and my iPhone 6S+ have no trouble with the connection. Both use the new lighting cable over the old 30 pin USB connector. Also getting an error like an "invalid response" while the macOS recognizes it in the system profilers gives me this suspicion.

Like I said, there are many people with the same issue and it's sad that Apple itself won't address this issue (seems with a simple google search) many have called support to be told "older Apple products" are not supported. What kind of answer is that?

What also gives me the suspicion that it no longer works with the old devices, I tried connecting it to my old PowerBook G4 - it has no problem recognizing the device - but doesn't recognize the newer devices - saying that they are not compatible with that versions of iTunes.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Oct 30, 2018 2:37 AM in response to Schwarzstop

I don't have a magic wand for this connection issue, but it should be possible to fix your library. Have you read my recent reply to your thread Re: Two iTunes Issues: Invalid Response from Touch and My Music Library disappeared :-( ?

On the connection front there is a suggestion here Re: Is IOS12 compatible with OS X Yosemite? that booting into safe mode might help. A long shot, but something else to try.

tt2

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Answer 4

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Oct 30, 2018 4:37 AM in response to Sam Iam

I don't think Apple have actively stopped iTunes working with older models, even if they're no longer interested in providing technical support. In terms of older devices. I have an iPod classic, iPod nano 4th gen, iPad 2, and an iPhone 4, all of which connect for me. 😕

I suppose another approach you could try would be to backup to iCloud, erase all content and settings to see if the device connects as a fresh device, then restore the backup from iCloud and see if it still works.

tt2

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Oct 29, 2018 11:59 AM in response to Sam Iam

See iTunes for Mac installers. You could try installing 12.6.5.3 and then 12.8.0.150 once more.

tt2

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Oct 29, 2018 1:45 PM in response to Sam Iam

Well I think I'm out of ideas. You could Contact Apple Support and see if they can help.

tt2

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Answer 7

Sam Iam Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 29, 2018 11:00 AM in response to turingtest2

I've tried the reinstall with the device connected. No go, I've even looked around to see if I could uninstall and then reinstall iTunes, and have tried a few different methods, none have worked. I get problems with permissions and I don't want to turn off SIP, and delete using that method. It really ***** because it seems that there are a lot of people having this same issue when googling this problem. You would figure apple products should work with apple computers!

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Answer 8

Sam Iam Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 29, 2018 12:54 PM in response to turingtest2

Tried that just now, no luck. It won't launch the older version because it says the library was created by a newer version, so it crashes. I connected the iPod and then installed 12.8.0, and i thought it was going to fix the problem because it launched iTunes while the installation was going on.. only to give me the same message that an invalid response was received from the device.

BTW.. thanks for all these suggestions, I really appreciate it!

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Answer 9

Oct 29, 2018 7:27 PM in response to Sam Iam

I've got the same problem and in trying to fix this connection issue, my music library is now not found by iTunes. I started a discussion on October 28 and turingtest2 gave me the same replies he gave me. I guess when I told him his "solutions" weren't working, he just figured it was me and not his answers.

Sam, Please let me know if you ever find an answer that works.

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Does iTunes 12.8.0 no longer support older iPods

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