Issues with iPhone sync from MacBook after iOS17 **Apple watchOS 10 to Blame**

Since updating to iOS17 I have been having issues syncing my iPhone with my MacBook:

Devices involved:

• iPhone 11 (iOS 17.0.3)
• 2020 MacBook Air M1 (MacOS 14)
• Apple Watch SE (watchOS 10)

Issues:

• After updating iPhone to iOS 17 issues syncing started - when trying to sync music from my MacBook to my iPhone, process gets stuck at 'preparing to sync' (I'm not using Apple Music streaming - all of my music is purchased) - I was able to work around this by unplugging and replugging in the USB and eventually it would sync. 
• I initially thought when MacOS was updated from macOS13 to macOS14 the problem would resolve, but it has persisted. 
• I've restarted both devices several times.
• I've tried deleting the Music app from the iPhone. 
• I deleted and rebuilt my Mac music library.
• I reset the iPhone and set up as a new Phone, AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED.
• UNTIL I paired my Apple Watch (watchOS 10). As soon as I paired the Apple Watch the sync problem reappeared.
• I un-paired the Apple Watch and the sync worked normally and as expected.

One more thing, my wife has an: 

iPhone (iOS 17.0.3)and MacBook Air M1 (macOS 14)

BUT her watch is an Apple Watch Series 3 (watchOS 8.8.1 (the latest for that series watch)

and syncing from Mac to the iPhone works normally with that combination of devices/OSs.

The only difference between my  devices and my wife’s is the model of watch and therefore the watchOS version.

My setup WILL NOT sync correctly while my watch is paired and hers will operate as expected with her watch paired.

THEREFORE watchOS 10 is to blame for the syncing problems I am experiencing.

I hope this helps someone and I hope it’s solved soon.

Thank you.

ps I am not able to TAG this conversation the way I want to so I hope this message is in the correct place.