How to Fix “A Software Update is Required to Connect to your iOS Device” Error

Users having Mac running macOS 10.11 or higher when they connect their iPhone to Mac to sync with iTunes, may get a message saying “software update is required to connect to iPhone”. Due to this error, they can’t sync, restore or charge their iPhone. If you are also one of those users who is going through this same situation, then you have come to the right page. Here, in this guide, we have covered some fixes that can aid you to come out of the error.

How to Fix “A Software Update is Required to Connect to your iOS Device” Error

Here are all possible solutions to fix this error so, try out the below-mentioned fixes one by one and maybe it works for you.

Fix 1: Update Mac Software

The first solution you can try is to update the software on your Mac to the latest version. Especially, if you have Mac running macOS Sierra or lower, then you must update your Mac to macOS High Sierra. This will probably fix out the error you are going through. Here are the steps on how to check and update Mac software:

Step 1: To begin the process, go to App Store on your Mac and then, click on the “Updates” tab.

Step 2: Here, if updates are available for the software, then update it immediately to fix the error.

Fix 2: Follow the Prompt Message

If you don’t want to update your Mac software, then you can go for this fix. When you get the message saying that “a software update is required to connect to iPhone error”, simply tap on the “Install” button. This will update your iPhone software so that it works again with iTunes as usual it works. If the installation failed, then don’t panic as you can still fix the problem using the below-mentioned fixes.

Fix 3: Install Xcode on Mac

If you click on “Install” button when the prompt message appears on your Mac screen, and you get another error message saying “Can’t install because it’s not currently available from Software Update Server”, then you can install Xcode on Mac to resolve the error. Below are the steps on how you can install Xcode on Mac:

Step 1: Go to the App Store on your Mac and search “Xcode”.

Step 2: Next, install Xcode and launch it after installing it.

Step 3: Now, close Xcode once you see “Welcome to Xcode” and then, open iTunes, and connect your iPhone to Mac.

By installing Xcode on Mac may help you to fix the error and now, you may don’t get an error message and you may be able to sync your iPhone with iTunes.

Conclusion

That’s all on how to fix a software update that is required to connect to iPhone. This post has mentioned every possible way that can help you to resolve the error. If the error gets fixed out for you, then don’t forget to share the guide with more people. Also, if you have any more doubts, then you can ask your query in the below comment section.