iTunes 12.9.5.5 sync with ios 18.3.1

The problem is that iTunes 12.9.5.5 (on Mojave) no longer syncs with the iPhone 14 (iOS 18.3.1). The phone icon doesn't appear in iTunes.

This issue has been mentioned in other threads, but they have since been closed by the system or the community team in the meantime.

However, I've found a solution.

The limited information I found suggested that a software update is required to connect to the iPhone. Normally, this happens automatically when you plug in your device. Like this:

But in my case, nothing happened.

So, to try to force it, I tried something: since I was able to upgrade my MacBook to Catalina, I launched the Catalina update — and then, coincidentally or not, the software update window appeared a few seconds later.

I didn’t complete the Catalina upgrade (I didn't want to, due to software incompatibilities), but I can now sync my iPhone 13 mini running iOS 18 with iTunes 12.9.5.5.

Once again, it might just be luck — but it might help.