iPhone stuck at Step 3 When Syncing Apple Music

iPhone 13mini (17.3) syncing via Finder (macOS 14.3). iPhone sync issue continues with update (1/23/24). Using Activity Monitor to Force Quit mDNSCrashReportTool remains only way getting sync to proceed beyond Step 2.

I have been updating some photos in Photos (as a sync test to MyPhotos on my iPhone) & those changed photos are syncing. So, Force Quit of mDNSCrashReportTool using Activity Monitor, seemingly is allowing sync to proceed & not simply quitting the Finder's Sync process. But, I have had to complete this "work around" each time I initiate a Finder Sync.

I've again reported to Apple's Feedback Page for macOS.

Also, I have not experienced this same Sync issue with iPadOS (both previous & now, 17.3).

"Quitting the MDCrashReportTool process in Activity Monitor" did work for me when I used "Force Quit." It did not work using just "Quit." This is a very annoying glitch and very strange work around. A work around I would have NEVER figured out until I got here. I was dubious at first, but it does seem to work.

I have a 12 mini running iOS 17.2.1.

I have this exact same problem and it's all over the discussion pages. What works for me is to open 'Activity Monitor' go to the MDCrashReportTool and force quit it by clicking on the little x in the menu bar.

Your phone should then begin to sync as normal after that. You have to do this every time you sync, but this works until Apple fixes this bug.

The new, high quality cable only worked for a couple of sync sessions so that is definitely NOT a fix.

Quitting the MDCrashReportTool process in Activity Monitor is the only consistent workaround. I find that I don't have to "Force Quit," just clicking "Quit" works.

Calculus_Entropy wrote:

LadyArthur wrote:

MacBook Sonoma 14.2.1

Iphone 14 Pro 17.2.1

So many thanks for your help. Up to now nobody (Apple assistance, an Apple tech level 2 who succeeded in locking my MacBook Pro M3 that had to be reinitialised - I hate you, guys, at the Apple tech !!! - and the Genius bar !!!) has been able to provide any effective assistance. Like all of you, the sync was stuck at "Step 3 to 5 - Preparing to sync". I hope Apple will fix the problem, quitting the process as shown above cannot last...

I am in the same boat. Syncing is impossible. Stuck preparing for hours on end. Mac Pro 3.3 GHz 12-Core Intel Xeon W is the new computer (with absolutely nothing on it other than applications!) running Sonoma 14.2.1 and my iPhone 13 Pro Max is running iOS 17.2.1.

Read all the "so-called" help articles which are useless. Did various searches with tips (tried turning off the Bluetooth, for example) and none of them worked. I am not subscribed to Apple Music. I miss iTunes as it was seamless and easy. Music sucks. Directed to the correct library. Beyond annoying.

Thanks to the person who said to open ACTIVITY MONITOR and force quit MDCrashReportTool . Sync done it two minutes!!!

After much searching the internet I found two fixes which solved the problem.

iPhoneXV to iMac synching problems.

Synching would lock up at Step 3.

Fix 1.

The lightning Cable that came with iPhone appears to be for charging only.

I used my third party USBa, not the Apple supplied lightning cable

Fix 2:

 On your iPhone, toggle-off Bluetooth, followed by plugging your iPhone into MacBook/iMac and select sync - p.s. if you have an Apple Watch w/iOS 10, this may be linked to cause of issue. I hope this helps!

Good Luck,

Aussie Pete.

I had the same issue and got stuck for hours. I was using a different cable. I replaced the cable with the original one and it works.

I had the same issue using iTunes (version 12.13.1.3) on a PC running Windows 11 Pro (version 23H2, build 22631.2861), with an iPhone 13 mini running iOS 17.2.1.

iTunes sync (through USB-C cable) was stuck on Step 3 (Preparing to sync). I launched the (Windows) Task Manager and terminated the "MDCrahReportTool" task (which is to be found under iTunes in the Apps section). It had the effect to resume the iTunes sync, which then completed normally. Thanks @dpx !

I was stuck syncing my itunes music from my macbook pro to my iphone 15 pro.

1. I found ‘activity monitor’
2. tapped on MDCrashReportTool
3. went to the tool bar and selected ‘X’ in a box
4. then selected ‘force quit’

My phone began to sync! Thank you DPX for that brilliant tip. I had already sat frustrated for two hours. Happy New Year!

Thanks Peggy

this one solution worked for me

entering Acitivity Monitor, waiting for the MDCrashreport to appear at stage 3.

then double click and force quit, immediately the backup resumed.

just finishing backup, within normal backup times

all the best

I've been having this problem frequently with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.

First, try using a different USB cable, preferably an original Apple cable or another MFi certified cable. This worked for my syncing issues so far. Another thing would be to try a different USB port on your Mac.

I like the Belkin silicone cables & have found them to be the only non-Apple cable that works consistently with CarPlay in My Honda Pilot or Odyssey and they are much sturdier than the Apple cables.

I have encountered this same problem. I have an iPhone 12, running iOS 17.2.1 on a Windows 11 Pro computer running iTunes 12.13.1.3. I am connected using a USB-C to lightning cable from Apple (relatively new: I think I purchased it last year): everything was fine until about a month ago.

The sync always seems to get stuck at step 3 (preparing to sync, after completing the backup at step 2). It usually happens when I first connect in the morning and start my sync and backup. I have found that if I just disconnect the iPhone, let the sync abort, then immediately reconnect and start the sync anew, the sync and backup complete without problem. I tried aborting the sync within iTunes without disconnecting the cable, but iTunes is still stuck, so the sync doesn't abort that way.

I cannot comment on if the problem might recur later: I typically only perform the sync and backup at the start of the day. I tried forcing MDCrashReportTool to quit, which did let the sync advance, but as others have reported that the sync doesn't always complete using that technique, I don't trust it.

Worked for me. iPhone 15 stayed stuck at step 3 overnight, came here and learned about this trick. Quit MDCrashReportTool on step 2 and it got hung up again at step 3 because MDCrashReportTool was back up. Quit again while the phone was stuck on step 3 and everything moved forward!

I key Activity Monitor running with the search term "MDC" (without quotes). Then I just wait for the process to show up, select the process, click the "X" in the upper left then Quit by pressing the return or enter key on my keyboard. No need to "Force Quit" although that doesn't hurt. I find I do have to wait a bit sometimes for the process to show up or to disappear after Quit.

The advice given regarding the Activity Monitor and go to the MDCrashReportTool and force quit it by clicking on the little X in the menu bar partially worked for me....some things transferred...others did not.

The phone got backed up; so I erased and started fresh...without restoring previous backup and it synced without any issues. So that is another way of getting it to Sync without getting stuck on Step 3.