Resolved No iPhone backup option when connecting to Mac

[Oohara]

I need to backup my iPhone 11 Pro before wiping it and switching it out for a 12 Pro Max in store. I don't have any wifi connection where I am, only the mobile data connection of my iPhone, so I have to back it up using my Mac.

When I first connected the iPhone to the Mac, it told me I needed to update the Mac and I did. [For anyone in this situation, what it asks for isn't a normal system update but just a small update specifically for this. Don't be afraid to click Yes, the update was small and only took a few minutes to download and install.] Then I was able to connect the iPhone and have it show up in finder.

However, when I click on the iPhone in finder, all I get is a window congratulating me on my new iPhone and asking whether I'd like to set it up as new or from a backup. There is no option to backup anything. The window I'm seeing is much more barren than the one I'm supposed to be seeing.

My Mac is on Catalina 10.15.5 - yes there is another Catalina update available, but I'd rather not install that right now unless completely necessary because I'd like to backup the Mac itself first. Anyway I'm guessing that isn't the issue here since my phone connects fine and got the update it asked for.

My iPhone is on iOS 14.2 so yes there is an update for 14.3 as well. But again, that doesn't seem like it would be the issue here.

Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks. If there's no other solution, of course I will do those updates but would like to avoid it until I've backed up both devices if possible.

What I'm supposed to be seeing:

What I am seeing:

 

[BugeyeSTI]

It would seem there is no data on the 11Pro and either needs to restore using a backup or as a new device. My suggestion is to restore the phone using your last backup.. Then see what happens when connecting to your Mac

 

[Oohara]

It would seem there is no data on the 11Pro and either needs to restore using a backup or as a new device. My suggestion is to restore the phone using your last backup.. Then see what happens when connecting to your Mac

Thanks, yeah that’s what my Mac seems to think too but the 11 Pro is my daily phone and full of data.

 

[camilasaunder89]

You should try backup your iPhone using a Wi-Fi. Sometimes, due to slow internet connection it hangs in the middle of update.

 

[Oohara]

You should try backup your iPhone using a Wi-Fi. Sometimes, due to slow internet connection it hangs in the middle of update.

Thanks, but the issue is that I don't have wifi where I'm at right now. I have an unlimited mobile data plan though, if only Apple would allow backup from that...

 

[BrianBaughn]

I've seen two-year old posts elsewhere that say selecting "Set up as new device" will straighten out the communication between the two devices.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Thanks, yeah that’s what my Mac seems to think too but the 11 Pro is my daily phone and full of data.

Well it looks like it's last backup on iTunes was January 5, 2017. That backup is useless as you can't use a backup that has an older version of iOS than the currently signed version available for your device from Apple. I'd suggest finding somewhere you can connect to wifi and do an iCloud backup of your device. If that's impossible, you may just have to setup your new device as new with none of your data from the new phone. With no wifi, your options are really limited unfortunately..

 

[chabig]

Thanks, but the issue is that I don't have wifi where I'm at right now.

You said you were going to the Apple Store. They have wifi there. Or, you can transfer your 11 Pro data to your new 12 Pro Max via direct wireless transfer while you're at the store, and you won't even need a backup.

 

[Oohara]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies, the issue is now solved!

I've seen two-year old posts elsewhere that say selecting "Set up as new device" will straighten out the communication between the two devices.

Yep, that did it. Thank you so much! I didn't dare click that button at first since I was afraid it'd initiate the setup process. Even after reading your post I was still reluctant, but it helped me narrow my search and finally I found confirmation in this article: https://www.iphonelife.com/content/got-new-iphone-heres-how-to-set-your-device
I just clicked that button and boom, straight to the backup and restore screen I was looking for.

The backup is now done locally on my Mac which took about 5 minutes. Ready to go pick up my brand new 12 Pro Max, yay!

Replying to the other suggestions as well, for future reference if anyone else comes here with the same issue:

Well it looks like it's last backup on iTunes was January 5, 2017. That backup is useless as you can't use a backup that has an older version of iOS than the currently signed version available for your device from Apple. I'd suggest finding somewhere you can connect to wifi and do an iCloud backup of your device. If that's impossible, you may just have to setup your new device as new with none of your data from the new phone. With no wifi, your options are really limited unfortunately..

Thanks but I wasn't looking to use that old backup, I wanted to make a new backup. Things are much easier with wifi indeed but that was precisely my issue, I had none available. Once I was through to the correct backup screen though, backing up locally on the Mac was very quick and painless.

You said you were going to the Apple Store. They have wifi there. Or, you can transfer your 11 Pro data to your new 12 Pro Max via direct wireless transfer while you're at the store, and you won't even need a backup.

I didn't say Apple Store, just "store" which in this case meant my phone provider store. Thanks for the reminder though, in principle I could have asked to do a direct transfer there or use their internet. The people working there tend to be completely clueless however, and I didn't want to hang around a minute too long since covid is going wild in my area.