I cannot get my new iPhone to connect to my 2017 Intel iMac running Ventura via the Apple supplied USB C cable. I backed up my old iPhone 13 to my iMac via USB C to lightning, hoping to set up from that backup. The new phone isn't recognized as an accessory, doesn't show up in Photos, or in the Finder. The same cable does connect the iPhone 16 to a M1 MacBook Pro. Rebooted both iMac and iPhone. Has Apple really broken support for older MacOS?
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iPhone 16/Plus iPhone 16 won't connect to 2017 Mac via USB C cable
- Thread starter drjlb
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Ventura doesn’t know what iPhone 16 or iOS 18 is.
That’s the thing about living in the ecosystem. Everything has to stay up to date. Basically gotta keep on buying new gear
That’s the thing about living in the ecosystem. Everything has to stay up to date. Basically gotta keep on buying new gear
Having the same issue with my 2017 MacBook Pro. iPhone 15 Pro Max works fine but iPhone 16 Pro Max is not recognised. Tried different cables, updated all software and still nothing. Actually thought the phone I’ve received is faulty but seems this may actually be a iPhone 16 or compatibility issue. I do encrypted backups and so need to restore via finder.
Me too. There is at least 1 report over in the Apple Forums of the same issue. That person claims they were told by Apple that the behavior is as intended.
Not great if this is as intended! I will contact Apple tomorrow to see what they say.
Does yours at least charge ok when you plug in? Mine appeared to be charging but with a strange flashing icon which I’ve never seen before. Now it’s not charging at all when plugged in.
I just got my phone and have the same 2017 iMac and am having the same issue. I posted in the Apple Forums and submitted a feedback report. I think we'll be seeing a lot more people with this issue.
Everything works fine on my work laptop, a Macbook Pro M1 Max.
@now i see it is at least wrong about iOS 18. I just updated my iPhone 12 Pro to iOS 18 and synced it before I did anything using a USB-C to Lightning connector. So, no, that's not it. iPhone minimum requirements are MacOS 10.13 and we are at 13.7 (though we are stuck there).
Everything works fine on my work laptop, a Macbook Pro M1 Max.
@now i see it is at least wrong about iOS 18. I just updated my iPhone 12 Pro to iOS 18 and synced it before I did anything using a USB-C to Lightning connector. So, no, that's not it. iPhone minimum requirements are MacOS 10.13 and we are at 13.7 (though we are stuck there).
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A long time ago (9 years ago) when I purchased my iPhone 6 Plus, the version of iTunes I had on my old Mac didn’t recognize the new iPhone.
Problem was, the version of iTunes that was required to read this iPhone didn’t run on my OS and the OS that was required to install the newer iTunes wouldn’t run on my old Mac.
So—
I had to buy a new mac because I had purchased a new iPhone.
Problem was, the version of iTunes that was required to read this iPhone didn’t run on my OS and the OS that was required to install the newer iTunes wouldn’t run on my old Mac.
So—
I had to buy a new mac because I had purchased a new iPhone.
Having the same issue. I tried to restore from back up on my MacBook Pro 2017 and its not connecting via the cable. I was on the phone with apple for 45 mins and I just gave up for now. Ill just do a wireless transfer from my old phone for now.
Im really hoping this gets fixed via an update or a work around. I don't back up on iCloud.
Im really hoping this gets fixed via an update or a work around. I don't back up on iCloud.
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I just spent an hour on with Apple support. No dice, and we’re out of luck. Our 2017s are now “vintage” and out of service per the tech.
Had an iPhone 13 Pro running ios18.
Have a 2017 iMac running Ventura 17.3
The iPhone 16 pro will not sync, or even be recognized by the iMac, even though my 13 pro with ios18 was recognized without issue.
Per Apple, the Hardware in the iPhone 14 and up is no longer compatible with the 2017 or older Macs.
I just updated my iMac with a new SSD and Ram. So looks like I’m returning the phone and sticking with the 13 for a bit longer.
Had an iPhone 13 Pro running ios18.
Have a 2017 iMac running Ventura 17.3
The iPhone 16 pro will not sync, or even be recognized by the iMac, even though my 13 pro with ios18 was recognized without issue.
Per Apple, the Hardware in the iPhone 14 and up is no longer compatible with the 2017 or older Macs.
I just updated my iMac with a new SSD and Ram. So looks like I’m returning the phone and sticking with the 13 for a bit longer.
No. The battery icon will turn green for a second, but that is all. No sustained charging.
This can't be true. My iPhone 15 pro syncs just fine with my 2017 MBP. I don't think Apple support has any idea what's going on. I spent 45-60 mins on the phone as well and they just kept guessing.
On the same boat here!
I tend to sideload a few apps and can’t get my 16 pro max to connect to my macbook pro running ventura 13.7. My 15 pro max works just fine. This is Very frustrating. Hope we can get an update soon!
I tend to sideload a few apps and can’t get my 16 pro max to connect to my macbook pro running ventura 13.7. My 15 pro max works just fine. This is Very frustrating. Hope we can get an update soon!
I was just on the phone with apple support they said that Ventura is not recognizing the 16 via usb c. Hopefully an update will fix that as I have no need to get a new Mac. For now data transfer or I cloud is what will work! What a pain in the ass.
well hopefully they're aware and a fix comes quickly. Seems like enough of us are having the issue.
Guys I had the same issue, macbook pro touchbar 2017 and I found a workaround to this ”bug”. I connected my usb c hub to my mac, I connected to an usb A port of the hub the iphone’s box cable with attacched an usb A adapter and yes, you won’t belive it but it worked. Thanks to this workaround I’ve been able to sync all my music files to the iPhone and enable wireless transfer. You can also do everything, backup restore, the mac recognise the iphone 16 pro max 100%. I hope it can help you. it’s a little bit tricky but it works!
The USB-C socket on my 2017 iMac didn't work for me with an iPhone 16 either so I connected my iPhone 16 via one of the USB-A sockets. After trusting both computers and downloading software (prompted on the iMac) I could access the phone through finder to make an encrypted backup and sync music.
Working for me too. I found this workaround after seeing on the Apple Forums someone saying it works fine if connected to a USB-A port. As my 2017 MBP only has USB-C ports, I used a USB-C (plugged into iPhone 16 PM) to USB-A cable with an adapter (plugged into MBP's USB-C port) to connect to my MBP and it works! Currently restoring from encrypted backup, seems a bit slower but might just me.
Not True - Ventura (13.7) recognises and syncs iPhone 16 (iOS 18) through a USB-A port on my 2017 iMac. It doesn't recognise it through a USB-C though.
Experienced the same with some iPhone and some iTunes version. Don't know what it was. I already had a new Mac but also wanted to use the phone still with the old one.
Other way round seems not to be so problematic 4s on M3 with macOS 15.1:
Just the update checking date looks somehow strange.
Backup worked:
Syncing also, even without unlocking:
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Tried with a USB A to C cable into 2017 iMac. Everything works like it should. $7 Amazon Basics cable if anyone is looking for a cheap workaround.
I just did the same with USB A adapter to USB C and my MacBook finally is playing nice with the 16 pro. Thanks.