Level 1

27 points

iOS14 upgrade and iTunes 12.8.2.3 can no longer see iPhone to backup or sync

Posting this to help anyone who has an issue after upgrading an iPhone and subsequently cannot get iTunes on a Mac to see the phone for syncing and backing up. Found the solution was to reinstall iTunes atop the existing copy, allow the installer to also install the 'update needed' for the iPhone, then wait minutes for the install to complete.

This answer for someone who had the issue with iOS 13 solves this for me:

[quote]

I had the same problem, with iTunes 12.8.2.3 (running on macOS 10.13.6) and iOS 14.0.

First, I went through the steps listed at If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support . That didn't fix the problem, but I felt it was important to try those things first before calling in for assitance.

Then, I called Apple Support. After some research, the person I spoke with said to go to Download iTunes 12.8.2 for Mac and install this slightly older version.

I did. While the installer was running, it downloaded additional updates, as did iTunes 12.8.2 itself when I launched it. I then ended up with a re-updated version of 12.8.2.3 that was able to see my iPhone.

This completely fixed the problem for me.

[/quote]

Hope this helps someone else still running older and fully functional macs with OS 10.13. My iPhone is the original SE, btw. Still kicking, both.

iPhone SE, iOS 14

Posted on Sep 23, 2020 5:19 PM

Top-ranking reply

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Posted on Feb 17, 2021 1:50 PM

For iOS 14 you need iTunes 12.8.2.3 or better running on OS X 10.11.6 or better. See How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support if required.

Assuming a suitable version of iTunes is in place then in Finder use the menu item Go > Go to Folder..., copy the following text, paste it into the dialog box and press enter:

/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/Current/Resources

Unlock your device and connect it to USB. Double click on MobileDeviceUpdater in the folder that has opened. It should notify you of a software update. Install it and iTunes should hopefully recognize your device.

If these steps haven't worked you can also try reinstalling iTunes 12.8.2.3 while your device is connected and unlocked.

tt2

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137 replies

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Mar 8, 2021 3:51 AM in response to snufbox

Download the installer and reinstall over the top of the current installation. That should reset all things OS X while leaving your apps and settings in place. Then reinstall iTunes 12.8.2.3 and see if you can make any progress.

tt2

After Hours Author

Level 1

27 points

May 5, 2021 6:38 PM in response to soundboy44

Hmmm -- you bring a new wrinkle. Not sure. What Mac are you running and can you kick it up to 10.13?

For instance, perhaps you are running legacy software that cannot be moved on to a Parallels 10.12 VM. So you are stuck with your environment. Fear not: can you clone your current drive to a spare, boot up from that spare, upgrade the spare external to 10.13, apply the updates and try what I or TT have suggested, and get some results? I fear you will then have to live two lives when you want to update/play with iTunes in 10.13 for your phone, then reboot in your 10.12 world. Gets a little sticky, quick.

FWIW, I live in the reverse -- my work machine runs 10.15, but I use Parallels and have a 10.12 environment so I can use a legacy Filemaker solution I've had and evolved from 1994. I elected to plateau with Filemaker 11, so it was Parallels or abandon 25 years of data (or suck up my pride and buy whatever silly version they now offer).

May 6, 2021 3:20 PM in response to Korukat

I finally got it woking when I clicked on the "needs an update" window.

Would've been nice if they changed it to

"iTunes needs an update" Certainly would've saved some time, but luckily everyone has been helpful in the threads

: )

Thanks!

MDB1967

Level 1

12 points

May 10, 2021 2:51 PM in response to After Hours

I just bought an SE2 with ios 14 and having the issue connecting on Sierra with itunes 12.8.2.3 The link that Apple posted is bad. it gives me the 12.8.2.3 installer so I can't go back one increment. Not the first time they have had bad links here.

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

May 10, 2021 4:42 PM in response to MDB1967

Oddly Apple don't normally write the the full version numbers. 12.8.2(.3) runs on El Capitan and Sierra. 12.8.3(.1) runs on High Sierra. Both version should be able to communicate with iOS devices running 14.5.1 or anything earlier. See my earlier post in the thread.

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,091 points

Oct 17, 2020 5:39 AM in response to Zanton

Hmm. I can only suggest you try again later or reach out to Apple Support to see if they have any other ideas. I suppose you could also try reinstalling iTunes.

tt2

yougghhh

Level 1

4 points

Mar 13, 2021 1:24 PM in response to After Hours

Had the same problem with iPhone 7 and macOS Sierra (10.12.6) and it worked for me too (without upgrading OS), many thanks for the post!

Jul 31, 2021 3:07 PM in response to After Hours

installing the older edition didn’t work for me. I got a message about a newer version of iTunes already being installed band it wouldn’t let installation go any further.

Oct 2, 2020 12:09 PM in response to thesoundandthefury

Another satisfied customer! My venerable (and oh-so-conveniently-small) Original iPhone SE and iTunes12.8.2.3 are communicating again. Thank you so much for sharing the way out of this otherwise un-fixable problem!

Oct 13, 2020 5:01 PM in response to After Hours

iTunes 12.9.9 won't recognize my iPhone after installing iOS 14. I tried to install from the iTunes link you posted but it's telling me my Mac needs iOS 10.10 version or earlier. My Mac is up to date with 10.14. I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro. Got any other ideas? Thank you, Daneille

After Hours Author

Level 1

27 points

Oct 13, 2020 5:41 PM in response to daneillefromenid

Daneille, I'm pretty sure there's an installer for iTunes 12.9.x somehwere. Sorry -- I live in an older OS, so I'm not sure if you need to explore re-installing from a newer iTunes. OS 10.14 is the last OS with iTunes -- surely there's an installer out there somewhere. Good luck.

Steve959

Level 1

8 points

Oct 17, 2020 2:51 AM in response to After Hours

Unfortunately the suggestion didn't solved this trouble in my Mac, even if the software versions is the same described by After Hours. I tried to contact Apple Support in my region, several time, but some ideas but not working. Now I can't downgrade my iPhone XR to the previous version (13.7) because Apple removed the sign from it. If I connect my XR with Mac I've the popup to proceed with upgrade in order to let communicate the devices, but unfortunately the upgrade didn't solve but rather makes unusable iTunes and even some other application. At this point I've to restore through Time Machine backup and wait for several hors to have my Mac back. Of corse I've big disappoint with Apple for yet another nonsense action...

Zanton

Level 1

4 points

Oct 17, 2020 6:22 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks. Yes. I did. They didn’t have a clue and just blamed me for having an old laptop (which is as good as new and performs perfectly) As I can’t really afford to upgrade my laptop and have no need to I’m frustrated that trillion dollar company Apple can’t / won’t put some resource into ensuring old versions of iTunes will work with new versions of iOS. Seems contrary to their environmental commitment to say “ditch a perfectly a good laptop because we refuse to update the iTunes software that we demand you use to add content to your phone. We also insist and encourage users to update to the latest iOS. If doing that means iTunes won’t work, it’s your fault for not needing to buy a new laptop or it’s your fault for not being able to afford a new laptop” If I was worth a trillion dollars I would pay for a website that would give all Apple users access to free iTunes updates to make all old versions of iTunes compatible with all versions of iOS. But that’s just me

Thankfully I found someone that could help and it is resolved. For now. I’m told that is likely that I will no option but to buy a new laptop before the next iOS. One laptop I use all the time and one just for iTunes. What a waste of money.

Nov 2, 2020 12:52 PM in response to After Hours

Thank you so much! I have been working on this for 3 hours. This solved the problem!!!! I did everything else Apple suggested and other links but nothing worked until this fixed the issue. I could not see this until I posted the problem to Apple here. I can't thank you enough.

Nov 9, 2020 10:33 AM in response to turingtest2

turingtest2- Thanks so much! I am running a late 2012 Mac mini with High Sierra 10.13.6 and iTunes 12.8.2.3. MobileDeviceUpdater was exactly what I needed to do. My Mac can now see and sync my iPhone! Thanks again!

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iOS14 upgrade and iTunes 12.8.2.3 can no longer see iPhone to backup or sync