iOS 14.0.1 Requires OS update from Mojave?

[Trouble1]

The plan was to update iPad Pro 10.5 from 13.3 to 14.01.1.

This message pops up:

"When you connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a Mac with macOS 10.11 or later, you might need to update the software on your Mac in order for it to recognize your iOS device."
"If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch has a newer version of iOS than is supported by your Mac, you may see this alert: "A software update is required to connect to your iOS device. Would you like to download and install this update now?"

I'm interpreting that IF I don't install this update on my Mac my iPad will not sync or play well with the MBP.

Do I have to update my MBP (Late 2013) software from Mojave 10.14.6 (all Mojave security updates as of yesterday) to the latest Catalina OS?

If your Mac says that a software update is required to connect to iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

You might see this message if the software on your Mac needs to be updated to support the newer software on your iPhone or iPad.

support.apple.com

 

[DomC]

I've seen that in the past with previous OS's. It was never a big deal and did not update me to the next OS.

 

[iAssimilated]

This is normal. The software update only allows your Mac to talk to the new iOS on your iDevice (ie it will not upgrade your macOS).

 

[Trouble1]

OK good, it sounds like this "update" would only be doing something within the current MacOS Mojave and it's not going to install a newer MacOS like Catalina.
Thanks for the replies.... this is valuable information and much appreciated.

 

[CTHarrryH]

I had it on Catalina - had to do an update was a small patch before I could plug my phone in to my mac

 

[b.c.]

This is normal. The software update only allows your Mac to talk to the new iOS on your iDevice (ie it will not upgrade your macOS).

This warning has worried me in the past, given that for various reasons my iMac is usually an OS version or two+ behind. Also not helpful how Apple doesn't clearly say an OS update isn't what's going to happen.

got this message on my iMac (High Sierra) after updating my iPhone to iOS14, but thanks to this thread I'm reminded its ok to click "install" on that warning. Took a couple minutes to update whatever it needed to, but didn't upgrade macOS.

 

[Trouble1]

Glad to hear that I wasn't the only one concerned and confused by this and happy to know that it helps others that end up here on a similar search.

BTW, the "update" was fast and easy.

Thanks again.

 

[Racineur]

Same here. So in a nutshell, it means that I have to upgrade to Catalina (Mojave now) in order to make my iMac talk to my iPhone on iOS 14? I was about to upgrade my iPad to iOS 14 and now better not not doing it. Do I have it right?

 

[iAssimilated]

Same here. So in a nutshell, it means that I have to upgrade to Catalina (Mojave now) in order to make my iMac talk to my iPhone on iOS 14? I was about to upgrade my iPad to iOS 14 and now better not not doing it. Do I have it right?

No, the update simply allows for a newer iOS version to talk to your iTunes on Mojave. Mind you, if you are referring to the same prompt posted by the OP.

 

[Racineur]

Ok then where is this update? Do I click on "Update" and thats' it? No move toward upgrading to Catalina which I absolutely don't want.

 

[iAssimilated]

Once your iPhone is updated to iOS 14.x you could be presented with the following prompt when you plug your iPhone in to your Mac:

Simply click Install to allow you iPhone to connect. All this does is install an update to allow iTunes to communicate with newer versions of iOS. This does not update your macOS.

 

[b.c.]

Ok then where is this update? Do I click on "Update" and thats' it? No move toward upgrading to Catalina which I absolutely don't want.

just to reassure you, if you see the above dialog box posted by iAssimilated and click Install, it does NOT update the OS e.g. Mojave to Catalina. Yeah it’s a stupid dialog box that really should be clearer that this isn’t an OS update.