Restore Backup iTunes Out of Date and Cannot Be Updated

[michaelfitzgeral]

Hi! Hope this subject line isn't too confusing - kind of a very particular (and frustrating!) problem I'm having here:

I have my old phone, an iphone 5C, totally backed up on my 2008 MacBook (black one, pretty old!) running OS 10.6.8. Unfortunately, I did not back it up to iCloud. I signed in to my iCloud and checked. The phone is not there.

The screen of said old iPhone was smashed, incl. LCD. I cannot use the screen at all. When I plug my new phone, a (used) iPhone 5S, I receive a message that I must update iTunes in order for it to be able to communicate with the new (used) iPhone 5S. When I click "check for updates" iTunes states that it is "the latest version, 11.4", which of course is not the latest version, merely the newest that my old computer's OS supports.

I need to know if there is a way that I can get this iPhone that is backed up on my computer onto my new phone. That is one thing, but I also don't want to have a phone that cannot communicate with my computer through iTunes. Is that un-solve-able? I am not sure my late-ish 2008 black MacBook can support any operating system newer than the one that I have...It may be able to go a few tiers higher, yes, but what are the chances that is high enough to support a recent enough iTunes to talk to this phone? I'm assuming not, and would very much appreciate any insight.

Also would like to add that I plugged my 5C phone in again to select "backup to iCloud" instead of "backup to this computer" and now it is saying that I need to enter the passcode on my phone to do this. I cannot do that, as the screen is destroyed.

Thanks very much!

 

[Mlrollin91]

Hi! Hope this subject line isn't too confusing - kind of a very particular (and frustrating!) problem I'm having here:

I have my old phone, an iphone 5C, totally backed up on my 2008 MacBook (black one, pretty old!) running OS 10.6.8. Unfortunately, I did not back it up to iCloud. I signed in to my iCloud and checked. The phone is not there.

The screen of said old iPhone was smashed, incl. LCD. I cannot use the screen at all. When I plug my new phone, a (used) iPhone 5S, I receive a message that I must update iTunes in order for it to be able to communicate with the new (used) iPhone 5S. When I click "check for updates" iTunes states that it is "the latest version, 11.4", which of course is not the latest version, merely the newest that my old computer's OS supports.

I need to know if there is a way that I can get this iPhone that is backed up on my computer onto my new phone. That is one thing, but I also don't want to have a phone that cannot communicate with my computer through iTunes. Is that un-solve-able? I am not sure my late-ish 2008 black MacBook can support any operating system newer than the one that I have...It may be able to go a few tiers higher, yes, but what are the chances that is high enough to support a recent enough iTunes to talk to this phone? I'm assuming not, and would very much appreciate any insight.

Also would like to add that I plugged my 5C phone in again to select "backup to iCloud" instead of "backup to this computer" and now it is saying that I need to enter the passcode on my phone to do this. I cannot do that, as the screen is destroyed.

Thanks very much!

Two things:

1) When you plug your phone into iTunes and click backup to iCloud vs. backup to computer, that is NOT making an iCloud backup. Manually clicking backup in iTunes will only ever make an iTunes backup, no matter if iCloud backup is selected or not. The only way to make an iCloud backup is from the phone itself.

2) Do you have a second computer you can use that is on a later version of OS X/iTunes. If so, you can copy the backup from your older computer to the newer computer and then restore your backup to your phone on that newer computer. Or if your friend has a newer computer with a newer version of iTunes. Worst case, if you are near an Apple Store, you could even potentially bring your computer in or a flash drive with your backup and hook it up to a machine there to transfer that backup to your phone.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful, but this should point you in the right direction. A few annoying steps, but should ultimately give you your iPhone backup back.

 

[michaelfitzgeral]

Two things:

1) When you plug your phone into iTunes and click backup to iCloud vs. backup to computer, that is NOT making an iCloud backup. Manually clicking backup in iTunes will only ever make an iTunes backup, no matter if iCloud backup is selected or not. The only way to make an iCloud backup is from the phone itself.

2) Do you have a second computer you can use that is on a later version of OS X/iTunes. If so, you can copy the backup from your older computer to the newer computer and then restore your backup to your phone on that newer computer. Or if your friend has a newer computer with a newer version of iTunes. Worst case, if you are near an Apple Store, you could even potentially bring your computer in or a flash drive with your backup and hook it up to a machine there to transfer that backup to your phone.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful, but this should point you in the right direction. A few annoying steps, but should ultimately give you your iPhone backup back.

Thank you! I believe what you're saying about transferring my computer's file of my old iPhone's back-up to a friend's computer with a more up-to-date iTunes will allow me to restore that back-up to my new phone. My remaining concern is that whether or not I could ever be able transfer songs or iTunes-based anything from my computer directly (or with very little difficulty!) onto my new (old) iPhone 5s moving forward? Thanks again!

 

[Mlrollin91]

Thank you! I believe what you're saying about transferring my computer's file of my old iPhone's back-up to a friend's computer with a more up-to-date iTunes will allow me to restore that back-up to my new phone. My remaining concern is that whether or not I could ever be able transfer songs or iTunes-based anything from my computer directly (or with very little difficulty!) onto my new (old) iPhone 5s moving forward? Thanks again!

Unfortunately not. Anything on your computer could not be transferred over because of how old iTunes is. But by using a friend's computer you could at least get your photos, messages and settings back. But the other data can't be transferred over. But once you get your new phone back up to date and working, any music, movies and apps can be redownloaded for free (Those that you originally purchased from iTunes).

 

[GrandeLatte]

Same problem here. I got a new iPhone SE, went home to hook it up to my MacAir. Same message. It just means my MacAir is outdated and will not be supported. I used my sister's MacBook to sync to iTunes.

So right now, my SE is a device on its own. I need to get a new MacAir. Thankfully, I went on Apple site and it says my 2008 trade in value for my MacAir is $145. I think I might get a new computer later in the year.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Same problem here. I got a new iPhone SE, went home to hook it up to my MacAir. Same message. It just means my MacAir is outdated and will not be supported. I used my sister's MacBook to sync to iTunes.

So right now, my SE is a device on its own. I need to get a new MacAir. Thankfully, I went on Apple site and it says my 2008 trade in value for my MacAir is $145. I think I might get a new computer later in the year.

It is not your MacAir that is outdated it is the iTunes software. I know people who backup with very old computers but have the latest copy of iTunes installed.

 

[now i see it]

Mac OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.8 can not work with the iTunes version required to sync an iPhone 5, 5S or newer.

My only mac runs Snow Leopard too. I can't backup my iPhone 6 or 5 to it. So what! I back up to iCloud and who gives a crap about iTunes. Totally not needed (if you have a fast internet connection).

You'll need to get a new computer (maybe used Mac mini if you want to save cash) that can run a modern OS if you want to back up to iTunes. Personally I'm done with backing up via iTunes. It's iCloud from here on out. Works perfectly.