Solution to "The Finder can't quit because an operation is still in progress on an iOS device."?

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Level 1

39 points

Solution to "The Finder can't quit because an operation is still in progress on an iOS device."?

Thought is was a Catalina thing, but it has continued in Big Sur..but is getting worse.

In Catalina, the solution was to open the Activity Monitor, find the AppleMobileBackup activity, and use the Force Quit to allow the OS to shot down, restart.

Unfortunately, recent OS updates have meant that this is not longer a viable workaround. And the "obvious"choice to restart the Finder still doesn't solve it, either.

Has anyone else figured out a solution?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jun 10, 2021 8:01 AM

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Answer 1

nathan_h Author

Level 1

39 points

Jun 11, 2021 11:59 AM in response to Eric_G1

Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated.

The issue arises when trying to shut down or restart the mac. I realize I can force a shutdown by holding the power button, but that is a problematic practice to use on a regular basis since it is like a "force quit" for the whole system.

My iPhone was trying to sync / backup / connect via wifi, so I was seeing it in the Finder sidebar, with an activity indicator next to it. Trouble is, the activity indicator went for days at a time before I finally concluded it would never complete on its own. I cannot say that this activity is definitively related to the error message preventing me from shutting down / restarting the computer, but since the error message indicates activity with an iOS device and this activity is going on (and not concluding) I infer there is a relationship.

I will try to set up another user and see whether than helps. Seems like the only solution is to disable the wifi connection between phone and computer and only use a wired connection.

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Answer 2

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Jun 11, 2021 2:31 PM in response to nathan_h

nathan_h,

Thanks for the additional details on what you're experiencing.

Just to clarify, forcing the shutdown via the power button was just so that we could try starting it up into safe mode. If you had a chance to try safe mode out, did that seem to help with the issue?

Based on your note and the error, it does sound like the wireless syncing may have been at play. Does restarting the iPhone itself seem to help at all? Which version of iOS is installed (Settings > General > About), and which version of macOS Big Sur is the Mac on (Apple menu > About This Mac)?

Cheers.

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Answer 3

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Jun 11, 2021 10:54 AM in response to nathan_h

Hi nathan_h,

We see you have some questions about an error you're seeing, and we'd like to help out with it.

Do you currently have an iOS device connected to the Mac, or have recently connected one? If so, try launching Finder, check the sidebar on the left for an iOS device, and see if there's activity indicator next to it (spinning circle).

Also, are you attempting to shut the Mac down when this error comes up, or does it seem to come up at random?

You can try forcing the Mac to shut down, if needed, by holding the power button. After that, try launching it in safe mode, just to see if the same issue happens here: Start up your Mac in safe mode

You may also try setting up a new Admin user to see if it happens here as well: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac

That would help to see if it's system-wide or user-specific.

Take care.

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Solution to "The Finder can't quit because an operation is still in progress on an iOS device."?

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