iPad Pro iPad Pro 2021 can be recognised by iTunes 12.6.5.3

[Shirasaki]

Ok. I will just keep this simple and sweet.
iPad Pro 2021 with M1 chip CAN be recognised by iTunes 12.6.5.3, and I can perform sync or install apps. I can’t update iOS through that but it’s neither here nor there, I don’t miss that feature anyways.

So for the few holdout (me included) that still want to use iTunes 12.6.5.3, you will be glad to know that you can still use that version on Windows 10 and save tons of data and maybe time as well for multiple app downloads. Such backwards compatibility is pretty rare in the Apple land.

 

[AutomaticApple]

So for the few holdout (me included) that still want to use iTunes 12.6.5.3, you will be glad to know that you can still use that version on Windows 10 and save tons of data and maybe time as well for multiple app downloads. Such backwards compatibility is pretty rare in the Apple land.

Does it depend on if you use the version from the Microsoft Store or the version from the web?

 

[el-John-o]

Ok. I will just keep this simple and sweet.
iPad Pro 2021 with M1 chip CAN be recognised by iTunes 12.6.5.3, and I can perform sync or install apps. I can’t update iOS through that but it’s neither here nor there, I don’t miss that feature anyways.

So for the few holdout (me included) that still want to use iTunes 12.6.5.3, you will be glad to know that you can still use that version on Windows 10 and save tons of data and maybe time as well for multiple app downloads. Such backwards compatibility is pretty rare in the Apple land.

The iTunes eco system is one really amazing case where Apple has kept backwards compatibility.

macOS Big Sur no longer includes iTunes and instead has integrated syncing into the finder. And it still works with the original FireWire iPod. Still has the drivers, updated to work with 64-bit macOS on ARM and everything, to connect to it over FireWire. 20 year old device. Really amazing stuff.

 

[Shirasaki]

Does it depend on if you use the version from the Microsoft Store or the version from the web?

This iTunes 12.6.5.3 version does not exist in Microsoft Store. So it has to be downloaded from the web.
Plus, it is possible to update Apple Support Software separately to allow iTunes to be used a bit longer In Windows.

 

[katbel]

Ok. I will just keep this simple and sweet.
iPad Pro 2021 with M1 chip CAN be recognised by iTunes 12.6.5.3, and I can perform sync or install apps. I can’t update iOS through that but it’s neither here nor there, I don’t miss that feature anyways.

So for the few holdout (me included) that still want to use iTunes 12.6.5.3, you will be glad to know that you can still use that version on Windows 10 and save tons of data and maybe time as well for multiple app downloads. Such backwards compatibility is pretty rare in the Apple land.

Nice and sad at the same time: why can’t we have the same on MacOS?!

 

[Shirasaki]

Nice and sad at the same time: why can’t we have the same on MacOS?!

If one can decouple apple device support driver from iTunes itself there might be a chance, but given how intertwined it was for iTunes on macOS, that will never happen.

I just noticed today that iTunes 12.6.5.3 can’t even check M1 iPad Pro software updates anymore. Again, no big deal.

 

[commander.data]

Ok. I will just keep this simple and sweet.
iPad Pro 2021 with M1 chip CAN be recognised by iTunes 12.6.5.3, and I can perform sync or install apps. I can’t update iOS through that but it’s neither here nor there, I don’t miss that feature anyways.

So for the few holdout (me included) that still want to use iTunes 12.6.5.3, you will be glad to know that you can still use that version on Windows 10 and save tons of data and maybe time as well for multiple app downloads. Such backwards compatibility is pretty rare in the Apple land.

To get your M1 iPad Pro 2021 to work with iTunes 12.6.5 in Windows 10 did you need to update the Apple Mobile Device Support and/or Apple Application Support libraries and if so to which versions? I'm trying to connect an 11" A12Z iPad Pro 2020 to iTunes 12.6.5 on Windows 10 x64 and have tried multiple combinations including the ones below and all result in an error message saying either a newer version of iTunes is required or the required software is not installed when opening iTunes 12.6.5 with the iPad Pro connected and the iPad Pro is ultimately not detected by iTunes although in some combinations it can be detected by Windows itself to allow for photo transfers. The iPad Pro is running iPadOS 15.0.

• vanilla iTunes 12.6.5 with original Apple Mobile Device Support 12.0.0.1039 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 15.0.0.16 from iTunes 12.12.1 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4

 

[rui no onna]

To get your M1 iPad Pro 2021 to work with iTunes 12.6.5 in Windows 10 did you need to update the Apple Mobile Device Support and/or Apple Application Support libraries and if so to which versions? I'm trying to connect an 11" A12Z iPad Pro 2020 to iTunes 12.6.5 on Windows 10 x64 and have tried multiple combinations including the ones below and all result in an error message saying either a newer version of iTunes is required or the required software is not installed when opening iTunes 12.6.5 with the iPad Pro connected and the iPad Pro is ultimately not detected by iTunes although in some combinations it can be detected by Windows itself to allow for photo transfers. The iPad Pro is running iPadOS 15.0.

• vanilla iTunes 12.6.5 with original Apple Mobile Device Support 12.0.0.1039 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 15.0.0.16 from iTunes 12.12.1 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4

Back when this thread was started, the 2021 iPad Pros were shipping with iOS 14. That iTunes version probably doesn't support iOS 15.

 

[Shirasaki]

To get your M1 iPad Pro 2021 to work with iTunes 12.6.5 in Windows 10 did you need to update the Apple Mobile Device Support and/or Apple Application Support libraries and if so to which versions? I'm trying to connect an 11" A12Z iPad Pro 2020 to iTunes 12.6.5 on Windows 10 x64 and have tried multiple combinations including the ones below and all result in an error message saying either a newer version of iTunes is required or the required software is not installed when opening iTunes 12.6.5 with the iPad Pro connected and the iPad Pro is ultimately not detected by iTunes although in some combinations it can be detected by Windows itself to allow for photo transfers. The iPad Pro is running iPadOS 15.0.

• vanilla iTunes 12.6.5 with original Apple Mobile Device Support 12.0.0.1039 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.0.20 from iTunes 12.10.5 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 14.5.0.7 from iTunes 12.11.3 and Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23
• iTunes 12.6.5 with Apple Mobile Device Support 15.0.0.16 from iTunes 12.12.1 and original Apple Application Support (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4

My combo is apple application support and mobile device support from iTunes 12.9.5, the last version of iTunes that is still shipped with AAS, and it works on M1 iPad Pro and iPhone XS Max, both of which would’ve never worked with iTunes 12.6.5.3 according to apple. You cannot install anything past that version cause iTunes 12.6.5.3 still need Application support to function properly.

 

[commander.data]

My combo is apple application support and mobile device support from iTunes 12.9.5, the last version of iTunes that is still shipped with AAS, and it works on M1 iPad Pro and iPhone XS Max, both of which would’ve never worked with iTunes 12.6.5.3 according to apple. You cannot install anything past that version cause iTunes 12.6.5.3 still need Application support to function properly.

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately iTunes 12.6.5 with AAS 7.5 and AMDS 12.2.1.12 from iTunes 12.9.5 didn't work for me. It continues to say it requires a newer version of iTunes. I believe iTunes 12.10.8 was the last version to bundle AAS and I've previously used iTunes 12.6.5 with AAS 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23 and AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 with an iPhone 7 running iOS 12-15 and an iPad Air 2 running iOS 12-14 however it doesn't see the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro. A full install of iTunes 12.10.5, the first version of iTunes with official support for the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro, works so there's nothing wrong with the computer or the iPad Pro itself. I guess there might be some lockout for the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro that isn't in place for the 2021 M1 iPad Pro.

I'll document the other ultimately unsuccessful combinations I've tried for completeness:

• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 from iTunes 12.9.5 and original AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.5 from iTunes 12.9.5
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.9.6
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.38 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.10.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.38 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.0 from iTunes 12.10.1
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.41 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.3 from iTunes 12.10.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.0.20 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.4 from iTunes 12.10.5
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.0.26 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.4 from iTunes 12.10.6
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.6 from iTunes 12.8.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.10.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.6 from iTunes 12.10.8

 

[Shirasaki]

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately iTunes 12.6.5 with AAS 7.5 and AMDS 12.2.1.12 from iTunes 12.9.5 didn't work for me. It continues to say it requires a newer version of iTunes. I believe iTunes 12.10.8 was the last version to bundle AAS and I've previously used iTunes 12.6.5 with AAS 8.7 from iCloud 7.21.0.23 and AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 with an iPhone 7 running iOS 12-15 and an iPad Air 2 running iOS 12-14 however it doesn't see the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro. A full install of iTunes 12.10.5, the first version of iTunes with official support for the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro, works so there's nothing wrong with the computer or the iPad Pro itself. I guess there might be some lockout for the 2020 A12Z iPad Pro that isn't in place for the 2021 M1 iPad Pro.

I'll document the other ultimately unsuccessful combinations I've tried for completeness:

• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 from iTunes 12.9.5 and original AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.5 from iTunes 12.9.5
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 12.2.1.12 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.9.6
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.38 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.10.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.38 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.0 from iTunes 12.10.1
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.0.0.41 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.3 from iTunes 12.10.4
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.0.20 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.4 from iTunes 12.10.5
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.0.26 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.4 from iTunes 12.10.6
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 6.6 from iTunes 12.8.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 from iTunes 12.10.8 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 7.6 from iTunes 12.10.0
• iTunes 12.6.5 with AMDS 13.5.1.2 and AAS (32-bit and 64-bit) 8.6 from iTunes 12.10.8

Thanks for the strenuous test. I looked up Wikipedia to figure out which version of iTunes should provide the best support, but for me, even the stock iTunes 12.6.5.3 driver is supported nicely with my M1 iPad Pro and iPhone XS Max. It is interesting to see certain iOS device acts differently on this version of iTunes.