Syncing iPhone 11 Pro Max or iPad Pro 12.9 2020 to new MacBook Air M1 kills 3rd Party apps on those Devices.

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Level 1

11 points

Syncing iPhone 11 Pro Max or iPad Pro 12.9 2020 to new MacBook Air M1 kills 3rd Party apps on those Devices.

Tl:dr at bottom.

Initial Issue

When I sync my iPhone 11 Pro Max (running Latest 14.3 iOS) and my iPad Pro 12.9 2020 (running latest 14.3 iPadOS) to my 4-day old MacBook Air M1(Running Latest version of MacOS Big SUR) it essentially kills 3rd Party apps on my devices other than the MacBook Air. I can try and open a 3rd Party app and unless already opened prior to Sync and still open in background it will start to open for a second and then return to home screen as if nothing happened.

Troubleshooting

I originally thought it was a issue with my iPhone and I troubleshooted as such. While I am a IT Admin I am no Apple Genius and am new to the Ecosystem after having avoided it my whole life until this year. Now I am in deep. I do, however, have good troubleshooting and googling/forum searching skills. I did the following to troubleshoot what I believed at the time was an iPhone issue;

Power on and Off Multiple times throughout all other Troubleshooting Steps.
Delete and reinstall the apps (Even though it was all 3rd Party Apps)
1. This didn’t work either. The App deleted fine but when I tried to reinstall It would download ¾’s of the way and then go right back to as if I never clicked download.
Reset All Settings.
Restored from an iCloud Backup by Resetting Phone Completely and used my Backup to Setup Phone.

Troubleshooting and other Info

Submission was too long with all the troubleshooting steps I have taken and my Appointment with Apple Repair Specialist. So all that was put into the Additional Text, for anyone wanting to really get an Idea of what's going on I would suggest reading it.

Please Help

Hoping for some suggestions as searching for hours online has brought me no results and I can't find a single case of this otherwise. I have verified it is a genuine MacBook Air via its Serial number and can't think of anything else to try. This is my very first time with a Mac at all and feel out of my element. Any help, tips, guidance, or anything is appreciated.

Tl:dr

When plugging iPhone or iPad into MacBook air and Syncing in Finder App it keeps me from opening third party apps. All major troubleshooting steps taken and still it's happening. Thought it was phone at first now closed in on MacBook and resetting it. Hoping for some help.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 7:40 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Laurent_dms

Level 1

21 points

Dec 21, 2020 11:25 AM in response to DrEagleTalon

Well, I tried something and it is working for 2 days so far (crossing my fingers)

I checked that my old pc was dismissed from the list in the apple id (tap on your avatar in settings)
I made a last backup
I restored my iPhone.
I restored my last backup
I made a sync AS SOON AS the iphone was starting up and just BEFORE 3rd apps start to reinstall (all grey)

For my watch, apps didn’t launched at all but I just used the watch app on phone to unload/reload them from the list.

Worked for my ipad too.

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Answer 2

Dec 19, 2020 11:12 PM in response to Laurent_dms

Having the same problem with both an iPhone 12 Pro Max and an old iPhone 6 with an M1 MacBook Pro. Currently chatting with Apple Support via Twitter. I just tried to sync with iTunes on the PC to get the apps running again, but it doesn't appear to be working for me. The only way I've been able to recover is to erase the iPhone and restore from an iCloud backup.

I have noticed in the console logs (viewed via Configurator 2) that it looks like after syncing with an M1 Mac, the FairPlay encryption appears to die. I think something on the M1 Macs is corrupting one of the encryption certificates, causing any App Store app to fail to launch.

YouTube Launch Errors

I've noticed at least two other threads on here with people having the same issues. It looks like it might be a more widespread problem.

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Answer 3

DrEagleTalon Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 17, 2020 7:44 AM in response to DrEagleTalon

Additional Text File as I had some Issues with it. This is a continuation and more info on the issue.

Issues Continue

Phone worked All Day until I got home and again synchronized with my MacBook. Same issue. Same results. I still didn’t suspect the MacBook because of the time between Sync and finding the issues occurring due to me only having used Podcast app during work.

Issue Worsens, Boot Loop

After that time, I Restored from Backup I had just made on MacBook and during the Process where the iPhone goes to Reboot with Apple Logo and Progress Bar it got ¾’s of the way through and stopped and rebooted and then rebooted over and over From Black Screen to Apple Logo back to Black Screen and repeated for a long time.

I wasn’t sure if I should stop it by unplugging it but that seemed like a worse option and just in case it was working or going to work. I looked for help online and got on Apple Support Chat and they said to unplug, power off by quickly pressing Volume Up then Volume Down then holding in the Side button until Apple Logo Appeared.

Once on restore screen I plugged it into my Windows 10 Laptop running Windows 10 Version 1909 on a HP EliteBook 745 G6 since I had suspicions of the MacBook. This laptop has the most recent version of iTunes installed (I think 12.0.11?).

This was my daily driver laptop and what I synchronized my iPhone with prior to getting my first MacBook recently and I still used it for my Job. When I plugged it into the PC iTunes immediately recognized it was in restore mode and asked if I wanted to Restore or Restore from Backup.

I chose to just reset it and start from nothing as I didn’t trust my backups due to corruption. It failed and asked to try again and after rebooting the PC and the Phone I tried again to no avail. It was still stuck in a boot loop.

Best Buy Geek Squad Appointment

I made an appointment at nearest iPhone Repair shop listen on Apples Support Site after creating a case and it was a best buy 45 minutes away (Rural Midwest). Getting there they got my iPhone reset in a jiffy and were extremely nice and helpful. I told them what had been going on and the tech thought it was iPhone but had never heard of the problem. I told him I thought it might have something to do with MacBook but couldn't confirm. He didn't think so since it was new and said it could be my iCloud account. He offered to try and get my Phone replaced as it was still under warranty. I declined as I wanted to ensure it was my Phone before going through the hassle.

Focusing on MacBook and Verifying Source of Issue

Returning home, I decided to dig deeper and try some things out. Synced my wife's iPhone 11 and BOOM, same issue. We restored from Backup form iCloud made moments before the syncing. Did it with my new iPad Pro 12.9 2020 and BOOM same thing. Restored all the same and then tried it on backup iPhone 6 S and BOOM Nothing happened. It was fine. No issues. It has all the same apps and content as my other iPhone and iPad and nothing bad has happened to it yet. I am positive it's the MacBook.

During all this it has caused havoc with setting up Apple Watch 5 44mm over and over and my Air Pod Pros and Apple TV 4k are the only things not giving me problems at this point.

What I am doing now

I am currently in process of resetting MacBook Air by Erasing Disk in Disk Utility after booting into "Restore Mode" or whatever Apple calls it and reinstalling BigSur. I will see how it see if I can Sync after this is done.

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Answer 4

Dec 17, 2020 11:25 AM in response to DrEagleTalon

The is certainly on of "the odd ones".

Personally, I have one of the new MacBook Airs and have been syncing my

iPhone 11 Pro just fine and all works as expected. Even updated the iPhone 11 Pro

to iOS 14.3 just a short time ago and after reading this post, double checked

my iPhone 11 Pro and all 3rd party apps are working just fine.

If I read correctly, it also did the same thing when trying to "fix" by connecting to iTunes

on a Win10 Machine.

It seems to me, that somehow some permissions/ownership validation

may some how getting corrupted. So you may want to try and start

back at ground zero, totally ground zero.

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Answer 5

Dec 18, 2020 11:33 PM in response to woodmeister50

I just bought a Mac mini M1 and I got exactly the same problem. I was on windows 10/iTunes just before. When I sync with Big Sur, all 3rd apps won't open. As soon I sync with Windows, It works fine (even without restarting anything just switching connection), all my apps are opening.

Could it be the M1 chip? I don't want to erase all if it won't change anything. I called Apple support and they don't even know what it could come from...

I will keep on sync on Win 10 until they fix it or if someone find a solution.

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Answer 6

Dec 18, 2020 11:40 PM in response to DrEagleTalon

I got the same problem after I bought my Mac mini M1, and sync my iPhone 11 or iPad (originally from Win 10). can't open, install or reinstall any 3rd app. I called support but couldn't find any clue about it. seemed to be a new (and isolated?) problem...

I tried everything from restoring iPhone, reinstalling Big Sur, to all kind of backups... Nothing worked. The only way to keep having apps running is to sync again with win 10. It works instantly, even you switch from win to Mac directly. I will wait until they find a fix, I bet erasing everything won't work. Tell me if you find something else. I keep testing soft solutions.

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Answer 7

Dec 20, 2020 12:31 AM in response to CodeMonkeyZimbu

I tried the erase/icloud bkp but the problem came back two days later. I am pretty sure it’s a M1 bug so I will keep using itunes sync now. Hope they will fix it soon. Thanks for sharing too. Maybe itunes works for me as I was on oTunes all the time before Mac M1...

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Answer 8

Dec 20, 2020 6:13 AM in response to DrEagleTalon

What exact version macOS is on the M1 Mac and what version of iOS/iPadOS

is on the devices?

I just connected to my M1 MacBook Air this morning (macOS 11.1) and backed

up and synced to my iPhone 11 Pro (iOS 14.3) with none of the resulting issues.

Out of curiosity, did any one try logging out of your AppleID on all devices

and computers and then log back in one at a time?

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Answer 9

DrEagleTalon Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 20, 2020 8:14 AM in response to woodmeister50

As stated in Original Post and Follow up comments (5000 Character limit in Troubleshooting Forums is dumb);

iPhone 11 Pro Max: iOS 14.3

iPad Pro 12.9 2020: iPadOS 14.3

MacBook Air M1: MacOS Big Sur 11.1

Also, yes, I tried logging out and resetting all three devices and my watch and had removed all from "Find My" and my Apple Account. Then one at a time and still failed.

Also as stated in Original Post and Follow Up comments DO NOT RESET YOUR m1 MACBOOK! it will brick it as we have found. When you reinstall MacOS it goes through it fine then lets you login to iCloud account then next you create your Account for the MacBook and when done and hit 'Continue' it fails then reboot and the Profile is there but unable to login as if password is wrong and won't let you reset password with iCloud account either.

I have been to 2 Different Certified Apple Repair Specialists and the first couldn't figure it out and tried a clean install from a Bootable Drive and that didn't work and the next is still trying with no success so far, but he was excited for the challenge and said he would figure it out for $100 no matter how long it took him.

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Answer 10

Dec 20, 2020 8:47 AM in response to woodmeister50

2014 MacBook Pro with macOS 11.1

2020 M1 MacBook Pro with macOS 11.1

iPhone 6 with iOS 12.5

iPhone 12 Pro Max with iOS 14.3

Syncing either of the iPhone to the M1 MBP results in the apps crashing.

Syncing either of the iPhones to the 2014 MBP has no issues.

Tried resetting, logging out, wiping phones, etc. The iPhone 6 is basically disposable, so I can try just about anything on that device.

Got the iPhone 12 so messed up trying to test things last night for Apple Support that I had enter recovery mode and completely reinstall iOS and the Firmware (which I did via the M1). Worked fine after reinstall while connected to the M1. Did a sync after it was up and running and got the same error with apps crashing.

Apple had me try using a new user account on the M1 MBP (which was not logged in to iCloud). Same results. Apps crash on launch.

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Answer 11

Dec 21, 2020 11:32 AM in response to Laurent_dms

After the rest of the apps install, have you tried doing another sync, and have you tried rebooting your phone?

I did a very similar process when I had to restore my iPhone on the M1, and it appeared to be working properly, but then I unplugged my phone and reconnected it to do another sync and it started failing again.

You also have to test with apps you haven't run recently, or reboot your phone. Any apps that were running or very recently run when you sync appear to keep working until you reboot, or until they've been closed long enough.

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Answer 12

Dec 21, 2020 11:50 AM in response to CodeMonkeyZimbu

After the full install of the backup i tried some apps and it worked. I plug/unplugged several times and next day too. All was working fine. The only thing that changed from first attempts was to sync as soin the backup is installed and before third apps start to install again. I also disabled the wifi connexion with iphone. Not sure it was a problem bit at least i avoid some automatic syncs.

Even new apps are installing correctly.

maybe also try to disconnect from apple id/icloud from mac and phone, reconnect mac then iphone just before restoring?

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Answer 13

Dec 21, 2020 1:03 PM in response to DrEagleTalon

Something I am doing is showing my iPhone 11 Pro when on WiFi set

and I believe it automatically does a backup if I plug in the charger.

Also, I just did a backup via WiFi and all was good.

Whether this means anything or not? Also, I noticed mention from two

of you that you had moved from backup/sync on a Windows machine

to an M1. Did you move your libraries from the Windows machine to the

M1 as well? Also, when you did connect to the new M1, did you receive

a 'Trust this computer" message. I know apps are no longer kept on a host

computer but there could have been some obscure/hidden authorization

somewhere in the library file.

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Answer 14

Dec 21, 2020 1:16 PM in response to woodmeister50

I didn’t move any library from itunes. My music is on an external drive so i just added it to the mac M1. I only exported the playlists. All other things are backed up or sync via icloud. I didn’t use the windows migration as my fav or docs were already synchronised

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Answer 15

Dec 23, 2020 8:04 AM in response to Laurent_dms

No, I tried the same process but it did not resolve the issue for me. The only difference is I did not "remove my old PC from iCloud" because for me that means removing several working computers where I still use iCloud from my account.

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Syncing iPhone 11 Pro Max or iPad Pro 12.9 2020 to new MacBook Air M1 kills 3rd Party apps on those Devices.

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