new iPhone 16 pro Max will not mount macOS -- cannot access it to Restore from my BackUps

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Level 4

3,263 points

new iPhone 16 pro Max will not mount macOS -- cannot access it to Restore from my BackUps

I just received an iPhone Pro Max 16 direct from Apple-com

I discovered it is not compatible with my iTunes or macOS Ventura 13.7

in other words:

I did a BACK UP of my 13 Pro Max in iTunes (in Mojave 10.14.6) and another BACKUP in Ventura 13.7 via the Finder window location: iPhone 13 icon

When I connect the iPhone 16 in iTunes (Mojave) it doesn't mount

When I connect the iPhone 16 in Finder (Ventura) it doesn't mount

When I connected the iPhone 13, it quickly mounted in both scenarios

After talking with three level one Apple techs who were clueless -- I was put through to a SR Tech -- he quickly told me the problem was a compatibility issue and that I needed to have the latest OS and hardware to mount the iPhone 16 and perform a Restore from my iPhone 13 from my local disks

Problem is the latest macOS won't install on my 'ancient' iMac 2017 hardware

I was recommended to accesses iPhone 13> Settings> General> Transfer or Reset iPhone> Prepare for New iPhone> Get Started (and run my 200GB backup/transfer through iCloud) -- I don't use iCloud for various reasons

but it is the only method available I have (according to the SR Tech) to "clone" my iPhone 13 over to my new iPhone 16 -- I imagine that will take forever ... starting tonite

will update my progress here after the process completes -- if that works or doesn't work -- then I can worry about how to run a BACKUP on the iPhone 16 with no compatible hardware or macOS (until Apple fixes the issue)

if anyone knows how to do this iPhone13> iPhone16 transfer please advise...(I would love to take iCloud out of the process and work hard-wired off local drives

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 8:26 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

getimos

Level 1

14 points

Sep 21, 2024 2:30 PM in response to -g

THIS IS THE WAY!! Thank you! Same problem on macbook pro from 2017 running ventura 13.7. Couldn't get iphone16 pro to connect until I tried this. Need more upvotes on this

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Answer 2

Sep 21, 2024 11:07 AM in response to -g

Didn't work until I tried using the USB-A to USB-C cable. Hope it works for you guys too!

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Answer 3

-g Author

Level 4

3,263 points

Sep 21, 2024 12:27 PM in response to binziebody

binziebody

>Didn't work until I tried using the USB-A to USB-C cable. Hope it works for you guys too!

a USBa to USBc cables SOLVED the complaint here (on iMac 2017 machines, previously connecting through Thunderbolt 3 ports):

on Ventura 13.7

iPhone 16 now mounts in Finder> Locations now as expected

also:

in Mojave, 10.14.6

iTunes 12.9.5.5 automatically launches into set up your new iPhone

I can now return to my original backups and hopefully use my new phone...

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2024 6:19 AM in response to -g

Having the same problem connecting iPhone 16 pro to a MAC 2017 running Ventura 13.7 (latest OS that is available to it)

I HAVE BEEN using USB-A to USB-C cable. It does NOT resolve the problem for me. Cables are fine. Ports are fine.
Problem showed with first attempt to connect, using IOS 18 that came with the phone and continued after upgrading to the version of IOS 18 that I was asked to update to. Rebooted each; no change.
I AM able to connect an iPhone 11 running IOS 18.0 to the MAC and do everything normal (backup, sync, etc.)
I AM able to connect the iPhone 16 PRO to my MACbook pro (2023, Sonoma 14.5), and back it up. Of course, this does not help me sync photos and music which are on the MAC.
INTERESTINGLY, when I connect the iPhone 16 to the MAC (with USB-A to USB-C cable), it activates the battery charging. So there is recognition at some level.

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Answer 5

TeslaJoe

Level 1

8 points

Sep 26, 2024 10:48 PM in response to getimos

Same here! This is insane! I can’t believe I had to plug in a USB-C dongle with USB-A ports into my 2017 MacBook Pro, then use a USB-A to USB-C cable, and boom—everything works!

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Answer 6

Sep 20, 2024 9:45 PM in response to -g

System Requirements

Apple Account (required for some features)
Internet access20
Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
macOS High Sierra 10.13 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later
Windows 10 or later using iTunes 12.12.10 or later (free download from apple.com/itunes/download)

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus - Technical Specifications - Apple

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Answer 7

Oct 28, 2024 7:14 AM in response to -g

I just did the IOS 18.1 update and connected with Mac Book pro Ventura 13.7 and is working perfectly sync with usb c to usb c the cable that came with Iphone 16 pro max

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Answer 8

Oct 8, 2024 1:04 PM in response to -g

I have a macbock pro 2017 running ventura 13.6.4 and I'm having the same problem with my Iphone 16 pro not connecting/charging/mounting. As per Iphone 16 and 16 pro specs it should connect to a mac running ventura, so assuming this is a bug, Apple must fix this problem asap.

System Requirements:

Apple Account (required for some features)
Internet access21
Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
- macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
- macOS High Sierra 10.13 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later
- Windows 10 or later using iTunes 12.12.10 or later (free download from apple.com/itunes/download)

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max - Technical Specifications - Apple

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Answer 9

fizz43

Level 1

14 points

Sep 22, 2024 2:57 PM in response to -g

I had same problem and cured issue with USBa to USBc lead.Thanks for the tip

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Answer 10

-g Author

Level 4

3,263 points

Sep 20, 2024 10:56 PM in response to Johnathan Burger

Johnathan Burger

>System Requirements

>macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder

"iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus" Tech specs (link)

I'm working with the iPhone 16 Pro Max -- and tried Ventura 13.7 with no success -- so that must matter

I would love to see a similar link for the 16 Pro Max...

FOUND IT:

iPhone 16 Pro Max - Tech Specs - Apple Support

Syncing to a Mac or PC requires:
macOS Catalina 10.15 or later using the Finder
macOS High Sierra 10.13 through macOS Mojave 10.14.6 using iTunes 12.8 or later

Based on that I think I have another conversation with AppleCare

my iTunes (Mojave) is supported

Ventura is supported

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Answer 11

Nov 22, 2024 9:30 AM in response to Adrian Andrews

Adrian Andrews wrote:

Sorry, I meant a data transfer from the old phone to the new. I believe you're given various options at set-up.

Yes, you are. But none of them are file transfer over BT. In some cases, BT needs to be turned on but that's just for the handshake. The actual file transfer is over WiFi.

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Answer 12

Sep 21, 2024 4:33 AM in response to -g

I'm having the same issue with my new iPhone 16 pro max and its very frustrating I Mac book bro has Ventura 13.7

But unfortunately, apple support didn't say anything about the compatibility

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Answer 13

Sep 22, 2024 12:19 AM in response to getimos

So usb-c to usb-a hub then usb-a to usb-c, correct ?

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Answer 14

ManuMan1

Level 1

14 points

Sep 22, 2024 6:08 PM in response to -g

Thank You!!!! You Saved My Digital Life!

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Answer 15

Limnos

Level 10

418,813 points

Sep 20, 2024 8:45 PM in response to -g

In general you start to run into issues like this when you have radically different generations of hardware. Apple's standard recommendation is to update everything to the newest OS version. Of course if you have a 10 year old computer that isn't possible so then the solution (according to Apple) is to buy a newer computer.

Nor is it easy to find out where/when the compatibility disconnect takes place. I haven't seen that published anywhere on Apple's site -- presumably because they assume everybody, of course, is only going to be running the newest OS versions.

So, good luck.

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