How can I update an iOS device using Finder without backing it up? As of macOS Catalina, updating iOS devices is now done using Finder rather than iTunes. Thus, the solution proposed here which uses the command defaults write com.apple.iTunes AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true no longer works.
How can I disable automatic backups when updating an iOS device from Finder (as opposed to iTunes)?
The defaults key still exists. However, the iPhone-related functionality in iTunes was extracted in macOS Catalina, the domain was changed.
The following command is now required:
defaults write com.apple.AMPDevicesAgent AutomaticDeviceBackupsDisabled -bool true