ITunes cannot handle multi IOS version updates

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Now that Apple has this new trend of having multiple versions of updates that leave customers having to make a choice as to which update to install (i.e. IOS 17.7 vs 18.0 and 18.0 vs 18.1) iTunes needs to be updated to offer a choice of update.

I know most people probably just use the phone itself to install the update, but I find iTunes better because it not only does a backup but clearly shows the steps in the process and I can do it with Ethernet. I am of the understanding the install from the phone does not do a backup and the status messages do not seem as complete as iTunes. When I tried to use iTunes for 17.7 it went directly to 18.0 so I had to cancel and use WIFI on my phone.

 

 

 

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Deo

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If you aren’t being offered iOS 17.7 through iTunes on your PC your only choice might be to update your iPhone to iOS 17.7 over the air. My suggestion is to go that route if you’re not into the iOS 18 update, because there are 16 Security fixes for 17.7. When you’re ready for iOS 18, at least you’ll have a secure device when you take the leap.

For what it’s worth, I’m on iOS 18 with my iPhone 13 and haven’t run into any major issues. New Features for apps like Photos are somewhat overdone but navigation around these is not too tough once you’ve taken them around the block a few times. But if you aren’t sure and want familiarity with the device, OTA with iOS 17.7 seems best for now.

MacOS iPadOS and sometimes SOS

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J9438, PKCano, Alex5723

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I always update my iPhone, iPad, watch OTA while the devices are charging.

Downloads usually take 1-2min on my 1Gb/s fiber Internet connection.
Currently on iOS 18.1b2, iPadOS 18.1b2, watchOS 11.1b2.

No issues at all.

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J9438

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Being a Mac user, I don’t have iTunes for backup, but the Mac does have excellent alternative backup methods in addition to my daily iPhone iCloud OTA backups.  I also backup the iPhone once a week at a minimum to the Mac  via Finder  and then also my Mac itself to the Time Machine external drive.  More often if I know changes have occurred.  I  feel like I’m backed up.

iPhone 13, 2019 iMac(SSD)

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I still use iTunes for taking backups but I always do my updates OTA. Never had any issues.

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Alex5723, J9438

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Myst wrote:

your only choice might be to update your iPhone to iOS 17.7 over the air.

I did go ahead and installed 17.7 over WIFI but it was tricky because phone display had both choices and flipped screens on me so I at first almost installed 18 instead of 17.7.

Myst wrote:

For what it’s worth, I’m on iOS 18

I was holding off since several posts on Woody were reporting issues. I am glad yours was ok.

Alex5723 wrote:

I always update my iPhone, iPad, watch OTA

I think most people do the same. I have small bandwidth cell, generally have my WIFI off so have to sign in to use for cell update, and just plain prefer the full size screen of the PC and the iTunes display and with Ethernet usage.

I will add when I first got the iPhone years ago and at the time it would not allow updates over the cell data (for unknown reason) you, Alex, through Woody told me about using iTunes on my PC. Alex, I am FOREVER GRATEFUL to you for that help. Thanks.

steeviebops wrote:

I still use iTunes for taking backups

Interesting enough, I happened to think of that this time so I did do the backup on iTunes and then went to WIFI for the install. Lot more trouble than just doing the whole thing on iTunes. However, I forgot to do the backup on my other phone. I don’t understand why the install over the cell does not back up to I guess on an Apple iCloud or maybe in the event of a failed install the original IOS can be downloaded from Apple??

 

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Myst

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J9438 wrote:

I don’t understand why the install over the cell does not back up

I always backup to iCloud ($0.99 per month for 50GB) before any updates.
I use iTunes to backup to my PC.

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J9438, Deo

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Alex5723 wrote:

I don’t understand why the install over the cell does not back up

Apple warn users that using cell for install / backup may incur additional expenses.

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J9438

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Great post. TY.

I have an ipad 8th gen 32GB. (I don’t use icloud features ie no ‘Apps using icloud’, are all disabled.) I DO have icloud backup turned on, (paid storage upgrade), which as per Apple back’s up anything that isn’t in their ‘cloud’. Have restored in May using this method, esp after update from 16.7.2 to 17.6.1.

My experience: since 17.6.1, “manage storage” showing icloud back up amount is way off-same 500mb shows up after an icloud b/up, which used to minimalize to 100mb. (Talked to Apple, escalated to engineering-they can’t verify if back-up is ok, “but should be, ya never know’. Far from comfort!).

FWIW, my own data is ONLY 8.6GB of 32G-rest is ios o/s taking it up to “13.17GB”! Leaving only 8.7GB-still wasn’t enough to update to 17.7.

Back to your Post: I have Apple itunes on my PC (not MS bs). It does indeed only allow an update to 18.0. Don’t do it!

Even with “8.6 GB free”, it would not update to 17.7!

My work around to install 17.7 OTA

-I only have 2 apps (not FB nor hogger apps) on ipad

-I deleted (not offload) native Apple apps I do not use. eg, deleted podcasts, magnify, appletv, notes, reminders, voice memos.

-Tho minuscule deletions, I WAS then successful at updating to ios 17.7 OTA.

* I made a backup via Apple itunes & Imazing on PC OFFLINE (so they wouldn’t download the insidious 18 to my PC, as its automatically done/downloaded onto PC IF online!)

I’m cautious, and ain’t going to Ios 18 anytime soon. My SE 2020 ph 64GB with much more storage was able to do OTA. Yet that 1.5 year phone went from 16.7.2 suddenly showing 80% battery service alert to updating to 17.7 showing 83% battery. All native used apps on.

I agree with you- itunes should give us a choice!

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J9438

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Alex5723 wrote:

I always backup to iCloud ($0.99 per month for 50GB)

I never really thought about this but now looking into settings I see there is an option turned on to auto backup to cloud, but mine never does it because I only have 5 GB of iCloud and I think these IOS updates seem to be 6 or 7 GB.

You would think since I have spent hundreds of dollars for an Apple phone that they would at least allow a free backup for IOS updates without using the base amount. Updates and backups should be an Apple commitment to product quality.

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Deo wrote:

I made a backup via Apple itunes & Imazing on PC OFFLINE (so they wouldn’t download the insidious 18 to my PC, as its automatically done/downloaded onto PC IF online!)

I discovered on iTunes under devices there is an option for just a backup without trying to install an update. I used that and worked fine.

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Deo

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Yes, I do know that, ty! IF online, you will notice (even if you  choose ‘don’t download and update) your Recycling Bin will be full of the now unsigned ios update. This happens even if you don’t download/ update, but only backup to PC. Seems automatic; for years. ‘Unsigned’ is the key:)

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J9438

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Deo wrote:

Recycling Bin will be full of the now unsigned ios update.

Not sure if I understand exactly but I get 2 monster files, one is the one you refer to and is in the recycle bin while the other is in an Apple backup file on my C drive.

I would guess the one in the backup file is my current IOS (signed or not signed??) before update and the one in the recycle bin is a temp file used in the update process??

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In my experience, if you are connected to internet, and you plug your ph/ipad into PC (and open itunes to backup, even if you don’t “download & update”), itunes program auto recognizes what Ios version is downloaded to your PC. Once an ios version becomes ‘unsigned’ by Apple, it automatically deletes the unsigned version and puts it in your Recycle Bin as it’s no longer usable.

ie your OP said ‘only ios 18 is available’. Thus, you must have been online & device plugged in to do a backup. So, what’s in your recycle bin would then have been the unsigned 17.6.1.

Now that ios 18 is unsigned, if connected to internet, and you plug in/back up your device, ios 18 update file will be in your recycling bin. It’s fine to empty Recycling Bin, or run Disk Cleanup, as that version is unusable and is simply taking up alot of disk space. Your actual device backups are unaffected.

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J9438

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Deo wrote:

So, what’s in your recycle bin would then have been the unsigned 17.6.1.

Thanks for the explanation. This particular cycle is so confusing with the multiple versions in various states, I decided to do an experiment.

My recycle bin and the Apple backup file on my PC (… roaming/AppleComputer/MobileSync/Backup) were both empty. My phone has 17.7. Online I opened iTunes and plugged in the phone. I did “Cancel” when asked to download and update.

Then to my surprise it automatically started Syncing/backing up. After the backup finished, I checked the recycle bin. It was empty. My PC Apple backup file had a new file.

So that sounds like Apple is adding a backup file to my PC and possibly doing a backup to their Cloud (since it uses the term Syncing with the backup process).

Now normally when I do the download and update I also get the back up followed by the update AND followed by another Sync at the end of the process. In this case I get a new file in both recycle and my PC Apple backup file, and with that additional Sync at the end I suppose another backup might be sent to Apple Cloud. Whew!!

With these multi versions (some signed some not) no telling what is happening!!

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When you open Itunes and plug in your device, to just  do a manual backup (NOT download and update), the default setting in backup section is always ‘backup to icloud’. You have to select ‘to this Computer’’! Then select ‘Back up now’.

Here’s a pic- select your ph, then change from default icloud to ‘this Computer’:

And Yes, when your are actually performing a “download and update”, itunes will always backup your phone to the PC, as it’s does the following:  a) downloads the latest ios file to your PC, then b) it backs up your ph to the PC, essentially moving all your data to PC, then c) it installs the new Ios verson on your ph, then when that’s done,  d) it ‘restores’ your ph’s backup back onto to your updated ios versioned ph! It’s why it takes so long and why it’s important not to unplug your ph at all during the entire process!!

*Note On my PC, I use Itunes downloaded from Apple site, NOT Microsoft App versions which are very different beasts. And I always manually back up to ‘my PC’ (select “this computer) before I do a ‘download and update’ to be on safe side in case Itunes “d/load & update” goes awry! (I also do a b/up to Icloud via wifi aka OTA (over the air), so I am doubly backed up.)

Also, again, don’t worry about ios versions. Just follow/keep atop of the Topics on Ask Woody “Ios/ipad and Apple updates” updated by @Alex5723 & “2000014 Ongoing list of Apple Updates” updated by @PKCano. Reality is: there will only ever be one ios version available to you via iTunes-the latest Apple release! Then you choose if/when you want to update to that release.

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J9438, Alex5723

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Deo wrote:

Here’s a pic-

Thank you so much. I never noticed that icon and the great settings it has.

Deo wrote:

Note On my PC, I use iTunes downloaded from Apple site

I think that is what I have as the original advise I got from Alex years ago told me to do that.

Deo wrote:

it ‘restores’ your ph’s backup back onto to your updated ios versioned ph!

I did not realize it puts a copy of the backup on the phone itself so I guess there must be a setting on the phone to backup to the previous version if having problems

.

Deo wrote:

And I always manually back up to ‘my PC’ (select “this computer) before

Great idea.

Thanks again for all your information. I am sure all iTunes users also appreciate this.

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J9438 wrote:

I did not realize it puts a copy of the backup on the phone itself so I guess there must be a setting on the phone to backup to the previous version if having problems

There is copy before updating for reverting if the update fails. If you don’t have enough free space on your iPhone for the backup file Apple will use iCloud.

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J9438

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