A software update is required to connect to iPhone - Fails to install

[macrlz9]

I'm getting this message when I connect my iPhone 14 Pro to my MacBook Pro 14".

"A software update is required to connect to iPhone"
Clicking install goes through the motions but returns an error "Installation failed. Can't install the software."

I've restarted the Mac and the iPhone. Both are running the latest OS. macOS 12.6 & iOS 16.0.1

 

[Graham Caracas]

Try clicking Not Now. It should connect without the update.

 

[bogdanw]

This might be the update needed

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/38/30/012-08532-A_QS18E2ZIK2/sq385yvtaohe6zx3bz4feg33gtfkh2xmy8/MobileDeviceSU2.pkg

 

[macrlz9]

I was actually only plugging in the phone to charge which works fine, not sync so for my use case, I don’t *need* to install that compatibly software. It just gets annoying popping up every time I plug in.

 

[davemac616]

This might be the update needed

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/38/30/012-08532-A_QS18E2ZIK2/sq385yvtaohe6zx3bz4feg33gtfkh2xmy8/MobileDeviceSU2.pkg

I'm not saying that isn't the needed update, but it generated a security warning on my M2 MacBook Air running 12.6, and I couldn't get it to load even after relaxing the startup restrictions.
I have this error on my 2020 Intel iMac also, and I do want to back up my phones there.

 

[bogdanw]

I'm not saying that isn't the needed updat

I can’t confirm that the above MobileDeviceSU2.pkg is the needed update, because I don’t have an iOS 16 device to test.
I installed MobileDeviceSU2.pkg on a M1 MacBookAir running 12.6 with SIP disabled without any issues. I didn’t disable SIP for the install, I have it disabled all the time.

Someone could easily confirm what is the needed update by opening /Library/Updates/ in Finder, connecting an iOS 16 device and see what folder/package is downloaded/modified.

 

[hwojtek]

"A software update is required to connect to iPhone"
Clicking install goes through the motions but returns an error "Installation failed. Can't install the software."

Same here, MacOS 12.6 and iOS 16 on an Intel Mac.

 

[MacGizmo]

Trying to install this annoying update, I managed to grab the package before it self-deletes after failure to install. The file name is "CoreTypes.pkg".

Installing both MobileDeviceSU2.pkg and the CoreTypes.pkg does nothing to fix the situation. I still get the error message upon connecting my iPhone running iOS 16.

 

[MacGizmo]

After doing more research, it appears this little issue (which should only appear if your iPhone is running iOS 16) will resolve itself once we updated our Macs to the shipping version of macOS Ventura.

 

[MacGizmo]

...aaaaaand after doing even more research, you can fix this error right now by installing the latest version of Xcode from the Mac App Store. I can confirm this works (or at least, it did for me).

 

[bogdanw]

Trying to install this annoying update, I managed to grab the package before it self-deletes after failure to install. The file name is "CoreTypes.pkg".

The link for the latest CoreTypes.pkg

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/41/002-77833-A_KXWZB1A4E4/riyftg8g7grb5nmf0uq74xtp1ykrlfgcgt/CoreTypes.pkg

 

[bogdanw]

...aaaaaand after doing even more research, you can fix this error right now by installing the latest version of Xcode from the Mac App Store. I can confirm this works (or at least, it did for me).

Maybe just Xcode Command Line Tools would be enough

xcode-select --install

 

[davemac616]

I can’t confirm that the above MobileDeviceSU2.pkg is the needed update, because I don’t have an iOS 16 device to test.
I installed MobileDeviceSU2.pkg on a M1 MacBookAir running 12.6 with SIP disabled without any issues. I didn’t disable SIP for the install, I have it disabled all the time.

Someone could easily confirm what is the needed update by opening /Library/Updates/ in Finder, connecting an iOS 16 device and see what folder/package is downloaded/modified.

It tries to install a package to connect to an iPhone 8+ running iOS 15.6.1

 

[davemac616]

The link for the latest CoreTypes.pkg

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/41/002-77833-A_KXWZB1A4E4/riyftg8g7grb5nmf0uq74xtp1ykrlfgcgt/CoreTypes.pkg

That package installed itself when I double clicked it, but even after rebooting the Mac still tries to install something. I can see a folder appear in /Library/Updates but it disappears too quickly.

 

[bogdanw]

I can see a folder appear in /Library/Updates but it disappears too quickly.

Make a Screen Recording https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208721

 

[davemac616]

I contacted Apple and went through a bunch of steps to convince them it's not my phone, my Mac, my Zodiac sign, etc. It's possible they will eventually agree that there is a problem with the update and correct it on their end. That said, this morning I finally saw the Xcode update that mentions fixing a problem with simulating the iPhone 14, but I haven't had a chance yet to see if that fixes it.

 

[davemac616]

I contacted Apple and went through a bunch of steps to convince them it's not my phone, my Mac, my Zodiac sign, etc. It's possible they will eventually agree that there is a problem with the update and correct it on their end. That said, this morning I finally saw the Xcode update that mentions fixing a problem with simulating the iPhone 14, but I haven't had a chance yet to see if that fixes it.

Today’s Xcode update solved the problem for me. If you don’t have Xcode, I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[brian163]

Today’s Xcode update solved the problem for me. If you don’t have Xcode, I don’t know what to tell you.

If you don't have Xcode, install it from the App store. It's free.

 

[brian163]

Maybe just Xcode Command Line Tools would be enough

xcode-select --install

To potentially save someone else looking to solve this problem. Installing the Comman Line Tools is not enough. You have to install the full Xcode from the App Store, and run it once so it installs the necessary components. Others have suggested deleting Xcode to save space, only to see the problem return with the next iOS release (eg. 16.0.3). So until Apple finally resolves this, it's best to just leave it installed.

Once Xcode is installed, you probably won't even be prompted to install the additional software again when you plug-in your iPhone.

 

[bogdanw]

Installing the Comman Line Tools is not enough. You have to install the full Xcode from the App Store,

This is ridiculous. Mac users should not have to install Xcode, not even Command Line Tools, to be able to connect their iOS devices.
Those still experiencing the problem should contact Apple. https://support.apple.com/contact

 

[Rice-Bag]

Seems to be fixed, finally, with iOS 6.3

 

[bogdanw]

After updating my iPhone to iOS 16, I’ve connected it to Monterey and looked into /Library/Updates/ to see what was being downloaded. The files CoreTypes.pkg and MobileDeviceOnDemand.pkg were in the folder named 012-67717.
These are the files, directly from Apple
https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...oooq1bi5yr7n8g6qbb0w/MobileDeviceOnDemand.pkg
and
https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...n3t2702w8i0oooq1bi5yr7n8g6qbb0w/CoreTypes.pkg

 

[antonionoriega]

...aaaaaand after doing even more research, you can fix this error right now by installing the latest version of Xcode from the Mac App Store. I can confirm this works (or at least, it did for me).

Thanks, worked for me
macOS Monterrey 12.6.3
iOS 16.3.1

 

[bogdanw]

The current CoreTypes.pkg & MobileDeviceOnDemand.pkg:

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...jwh5ejfbm5a11c2wqj2a6ahu6hb0qx1/CoreTypes.pkg

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/dow...11c2wqj2a6ahu6hb0qx1/MobileDeviceOnDemand.pkg

 

[wwwonka]

Hey, I get a forbidden error now.
How can I find the current ones?
Writing this in January 2024.