Still Running OS X Yosemite? Beware, iTunes 12.8.1 Breaks Safari

[MacRumors]

Apple this week released iTunes 12.8.1 for OS X Yosemite up to macOS High Sierra. The minor update resolves an issue that prevented iTunes from streaming media to third-party AirPlay speakers, and contains other minor improvements.

However, anyone running OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 specifically should avoid updating to iTunes 12.8.1 for now, as users across the MacRumors Forums, Twitter, Reddit, and Stack Exchange report that the update somehow breaks Safari 10.1.2, the latest version of the browser for OS X Yosemite.

After updating to iTunes 12.8.1, some users have encountered the following error message when opening Safari on OS X Yosemite:

Safari cannot be opened because of a problem.

Check with the developer to make sure Safari works with this version of Mac OS X. You may have to reinstall the application. Be sure to sure to install any available updates for the application and Mac OS X.

One user on Stack Exchange believes that the iTunes 12.8.1 update may update the MobileDevice.framework in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ to a version incompatible with Safari 10.1.2, but the cause is not entirely clear. We've flagged the issue with Apple and asked if and when a fix will be available.

In the meantime, workarounds include using an alternative browser such as Firefox or upgrading to a newer macOS version -- of course, those still using OS X Yosemite likely don't want to or can't upgrade. Updating to iTunes 12.9 is not possible on OS X Yosemite, as that version is only compatible with macOS Mojave.

Update - How to Fix

Some users have been able to fix Safari by opening the Finder app, clicking on Go > Go to Folder... in the top menu bar, typing in /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ and dragging MobileDevice.framework to the Trash.

Article Link: Still Running OS X Yosemite? Beware, iTunes 12.8.1 Breaks Safari

 

[JosephAW]

Is there an iTunes 12.6.x with App Store support for Mojave that works?

 

[tywebb13]

Safari cannot be opened because of a problem.

Check with the developer to make sure Safari works with this version of Mac OS X. You may have to reinstall the application. Be sure to sure to install any available updates for the application and Mac OS X.

If you need to reinstall Safari 10.1.2 for Yosemite you can get it here:

http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...w6j4t386ym6q8d5p1g5m/Safari10.1.2Yosemite.pkg

 

[pika2000]

I’m surprised people are sticking to Yosemite. It was not a good macOS release. Stock apps like Mail were hugely problematic and crashing for me. It’s not until El Capitan that I enjoyed using my Mac again.

 

[Kimba]

Did Apple pull this update? I saw the update last night (December 13) but didn't install it. Tonight, I saw the badge was still there indicating an update but when I opened up the App Store and clicked Updates it disappeared! (See the screenshot below.)



Please note I'm running High Sierra 10.13.6.

 

[Naraxus]

What on EARTH is Federighi getting paid for? Ever since Bertrand Serle and Scott Forstal left Apple, and Craig took over, Apple software has been plagued with one bug or critical software flaw after another.

 

[jasonefmonk]

Oof. This is a painful one, hopefully resolved shortly.

 

[chineseguy38]

We want an update version of iTunes 12.6.5 for Mojave!!

 

[justperry]

I wish there were a solution.

There is help, I know 100% sure lots of people help you out here, including me, BUT...

You should start fresh again instead of complaining and pointing fingers, you are a newbie and should act responsible and and accountable for your mistake not to have a backup.
Your files/work should still be there as long as you didn't wipe your disk, reinstalling the OS version you had prior to updating should leave your personal data on your disk, a reinstall does not wipe your data as long as you don't partition/formatted the disk.

 

[Scerby]

Reinstalling the OsX is not necessary!!
I had the same problem with Safari yesterday... After 2 hours of finding solution (safe boot, combo update etc.) I've just completely deleted the file "MobileDevice". The path to this file is in Safari's error message: "Referenced from: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

After deleting this file (on your own risk) Safari successfully opened with the last session, all bookmarks etc.

I recommend to move this file to another place or just rename it!

 

[R10k]

What on EARTH is Federighi getting paid for? Ever since Bertrand Serle and Scott Forstal left Apple, and Craig took over, Apple software has been plagued with one bug or critical software flaw after another.

There have always been bugs, there will always be bugs.

 

[pika2000]

What on EARTH is Federighi getting paid for? Ever since Bertrand Serle and Scott Forstal left Apple, and Craig took over, Apple software has been plagued with one bug or critical software flaw after another.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Apple only supports the current and -1 release of means Mojave and High Sierra. This is affecting Yosemite, released in 2014.

If you want a desktop OS with extended support lifecycle, then use Windows 10 enterprise. Even each version of the regular Windows 10 Home releases is only supported for about 2 years.

 

[Hawkeyepilo]

Reinstalling the OsX is not necessary!!
I had the same problem with Safari yesterday... After 2 hours of finding solution (safe boot, combo update etc.) I've just completely deleted the file "MobileDevice". The path to this file is in Safari's error message: "Referenced from: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

After deleting this file (on your own risk) Safari successfully opened with the last session, all bookmarks etc.

I tried this and it worked for me. Have you seen any side effects of this? Thank for the help!

 

[Scientifichick]

Reinstalling the OsX is not necessary!!
I had the same problem with Safari yesterday... After 2 hours of finding solution (safe boot, combo update etc.) I've just completely deleted the file "MobileDevice". The path to this file is in Safari's error message: "Referenced from: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

After deleting this file (on your own risk) Safari successfully opened with the last session, all bookmarks etc.

Thanks for this work around! I deleted this file and my Safari is back to working like normal. I am running OsX Yosemite 10.10.5 and haven't upgraded to Mojave yet, gotta do the back up first.

 

[Linda25g]

Reinstalling the OsX is not necessary!!
I had the same problem with Safari yesterday... After 2 hours of finding solution (safe boot, combo update etc.) I've just completely deleted the file "MobileDevice". The path to this file is in Safari's error message: "Referenced from: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

After deleting this file (on your own risk) Safari successfully opened with the last session, all bookmarks etc.

I'm not very tech but there is no private frameworks folder in my library

 

[Osxguy]

Does anyone else get tired of being an unregistered beta testers for a trillion dollar company?

 

[flygbuss]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Apple only supports the current and -1 release of means Mojave and High Sierra. This is affecting Yosemite, released in 2014.

If you want a desktop OS with extended support lifecycle, then use Windows 10 enterprise. Even each version of the regular Windows 10 Home releases is only supported for about 2 years.

I think Sierra is also still provided with security updates. El Capitan received updates until Mojave was released.

Yosemite was released more the 4 years ago. Even if you upgrade to El Capitan now you’ll get security updates from this fall.
[doublepost=1544880030][/doublepost]

Does anyone else get tired of being an unregistered beta testers for a trillion dollar company?

Also, apple provides regulary updates and new OSs’ for free. So you’ll get new features and functionality without paying anything.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Apple only supports the current and -1 release of means Mojave and High Sierra. This is affecting Yosemite, released in 2014.

Well, while I might agree with the sentiment of what you're saying you're wrong. If Apple are going to not check a software update against all the OS versions it will install on they should narrow down the OS versions it will install and/or update on. Period! If you make anything install on Yosemite you're saying it will work. This is Apple's bad.

 

[poppt987]

Hi
Can anyone tell me how to access 'PrivateFrameworks'? It doesnt seem to be in my Library. Thanks

 

[flygbuss]

Well, while I might agree with the sentiment of what you're saying you're wrong. If Apple are going to not check a software update against all the OS versions it will install on they should narrow down the OS versions it will install and/or update on. Period! If you make anything install on Yosemite you're saying it will work. This is Apple's bad.

Fair enough.
They shouldn’t have provided the update for Yosemite if it’s not compatible.

 

[Scerby]

I tried this and it worked for me. Have you seen any side effects of this? Thank for the help!

Not yet. Safari and iTunes seem to running fine after deleting this file.

 

[davejayirl]

Reinstalling the OsX is not necessary!!
I had the same problem with Safari yesterday... After 2 hours of finding solution (safe boot, combo update etc.) I've just completely deleted the file "MobileDevice". The path to this file is in Safari's error message: "Referenced from: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

After deleting this file (on your own risk) Safari successfully opened with the last session, all bookmarks etc.

I can confirm that works, as does renaming the MobileDevice file.

 

[bms204]

Thanks for this work around! I deleted this file and my Safari is back to working like normal. I am running OsX Yosemite 10.10.5 and haven't upgraded to Mojave yet, gotta do the back up first.

Would you be willing to do a step by step instruction guide for how you did this? Im excellent at following directions, but terrible at anything beyond the basic use of a Macbook. If so, thank you in advance!!!

 

[Claire B-I]

Thanks for this work around! I deleted this file and my Safari is back to working like normal. I am running OsX Yosemite 10.10.5 and haven't upgraded to Mojave yet, gotta do the back up first.

I can't find this file path in my finder..." /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework/Versions/A/MobileDevice"

Can you tell me how to access it? I also searched for a MobileDevice and nothing pulled up. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
[doublepost=1544882011][/doublepost]

I can confirm that works, as does renaming the MobileDevice file.

Where do you go on the Mac to find the Private Frameworks? Do you just find this in the "Finder" by searching top right corner? When I did this nothing came up? thoughts?

 

[4jasontv]

Also, apple provides regulary updates and new OSs’ for free. So you’ll get new features and functionality without paying anything.

Hmmm? I pay for my OS updates upfront when I buy a Mac or iOS device. The OS and its updates are bundled in with the cost of the device. That’s why Apple’s terms state it can only be installed on Apple hardware when it (clearly) can be installed on custom hardware.