iTunes refuses to sync with iPhone 15 Pro Max

I’ve found that the cable that comes in the box with my iPhone 15 pro max does not allow syncing with my iTunes (latest version) on windows 11. If I use a USB-A to a USB-C the sync will occur as expected. This is still inconvenient as the speeds are higher with the apple cable but it does work.

I got a new iPhone 15 Pro right after Christmas and couldn't get my computer to recognize it. But today when I saw on another forum that it might be the cord, I bought one (USB-C to USB-A) specifically for transferring files and now, my phone is syncing to iTunes. I spent several hours on the phone with Apple Support last week and even asked if it might be the cord. I told them that my laptop didn't have a USB-C port and I was having to use a different cord and was told that wouldn't be the problem. So if you have tried everything else, uninstalling, reinstalling, restarting, updating, and you still don't have an answer, try the cord.

I was also told by Apple Support that they will soon be doing away with the music portion of iTunes altogether and will have Apple Music and Apple Devices for music. ITunes will be solely for podcasts and books. He didn't say when that would occur. But if you download Apple Devices while still trying to use your iTunes, it will disable iTunes.

OK, a little more digging and I found that killing the process "MDCrashReportTool.exe" will let it proceed. I happened upon this thread first but I am on a Mac. It works on either Mac or Windows. Here is the thread I found it on.

Original thread

I see that Apple has fixed the issue with iOS 17.3. Since that update my iPhone 15 Pro Max now works without any issues. Runs through the sync process from step 1 through 5.

Update to 17.3 it was fixed over wire

I finally got mine to sync today. I switched on ‘sync over WiFi’ and then plugged in my cable and iTunes completed the sync process. Give it a try to see if it will help you.

Quitting "MDCrashReportTool.exe" only terminates the process and does not complete the sync/backup. I am now in the process of syncing by Wi-Fi and it appears to be working, only much slower. The task was completed.

I'm glad I found this. I'm on a Mac mini M1 and I got it work by kill the MDCrashReportTool while it was stuck on preparing to sync 2 of 4. Hope this helps others and better yet Apple just fixes this bug.

Is there enough storage space?

The sync over WiFi option is in iTunes. It’s a checkbox on the first summary page of you iPhone but you have to have the phone plugged in first to select it (obviously). In later OS they moved it to the finder but you can find it easy in the Music app under summary and select “sync settings”. That will open your phone in a finder window also.

I noticed above you were having problems with iTunes, did you get those straightened out? Restart the machine first. I had been having some issues as well but that seemed to help.

I was just able to sync iTunes to my new Iphone15. Plugged it into my computer but clicked on WIF and it worked!!!! Tried for weeks and it would not do it! Thanks to who ever suggested this!

I have an iPhone 15 Pro - 512 GB and I also have problems Syncing my iPhone with iTunes on a Windows 10 pc.

After several call sessions with Apple support (started begin december) they told me I will have to wait for an update which should solve the problem. Funny remark from Apple support was that the issue needs to be important enough before it gets in one off the following updates. So what I will be waiting till summer? Come on Apple!

It is more than infuriating. State of the art phone and nothing (iPhone 15 Pro Max). If I plug in via cable, the session fails to start. If I try over WiFi, I get to step 4 then receive “An unknown error occurred (-42553)”.

The last time I tried this and spoke to apple, I was told it was “something to do with licensing” and how as this cannot be verified, apple are no longer allowing people to sync their music. They did give me another option of paying to add all of the music I have already bought via CD to receive Apple Music instead (or an older version of that with a slightly different name which will also become defunct eventually). What’s the point? Genuinely? I think I will just buy a Sony Walkman to add all of my CDs to.

Did you kill the MDCrashReportTool.exe? That’s what works, unfortunately you have to do it EVERY time you sync.

Hmm...not for me.