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Level 1

88 points

iPhone 13 Pro is stuck on "Sync (Step 2 of 4) - Preparing to Sync"

Details:

iPhone 13 Pro running iOS 17.2.1 connected via Lightning-to-USB-C cable to MacBook Pro 16" M1 Max running macOS Ventura 13.6.3

Problem:

Syncing (see screenshot above) seems to be stuck here. I have tried this several times, just in the course of trying to update the iPhone to iOS 17.2.1, which I was intending to do as usual via Finder. Trying to cancel the sync so as to proceed to the update didn't work; the update got to a point where it wanted to know whether to cancel the sync and proceed with the update, or let the sync continue. Unchecking Automatic Sync on connection, then reconnecting also didn't work; after reconnecting the Sync ran nevertheless. I finally ended up installing the update wirelessly instead, and have now returned to attempting to sync while connected to the Mac, in the hopes that the update might have changed something. With respect to taking ages to get past step 2, it evidently didn't.

Now I'm wondering what processes are involved so that I can see in the Activity Monitor what might be stuck. I did notice -- or think I did (after trying so often one isn't sure of anything anymore) -- that I wasn't prompted to enter the passcode on the iPhone to OK the connection to the Mac.

Suffice to say, I have tried some of the solutions mentioned in similar threads, e.g., turning off Bluetooth and Hotspot, and turning on Airplane Mode on the iPhone, all to no avail.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 17

Posted on Dec 20, 2023 4:17 AM

Best reply

Steve A.

Level 3

716 points

Posted on Dec 20, 2023 6:15 AM

This is a known bug that (yet again) has reared its ugly head with the last round of major updates (iOS, macOS, watchOS). I'm on Ventura as well, but people running Sonoma have had this same issue.

It stems from the running process MDCrashReportTool - the process that gathers the error logs from the iPhone (from app crashes and what not) and ultimately deletes them from the device upon a successful sync. However, something with one of these recent updates has affected that process.

To finish the sync to "completion", use Activity Monitor to find that process name and force-quit it - the iPhone will then skip that step in attempting to transmit the error logs, and proceed onto syncing Contacts and Calendar info. (hence "completion" in quotes, it's not a complete sync as those logs will still be on the iPhone)

Myself (and others) have pointed out that this is seemingly more common amongst those who have an Apple Watch paired with the iPhone. Personally, I wasn't having any sync issues until updating each to iOS 17.2 and watchOS 10.2 (respectively). Once I removed my Apple Watch pairing, syncing the iPhone via USB performed as per usual each and every time the iPhone was connected.

When the Watch was paired again with the iPhone, the sync issue returned.

Advice - fill out a bug report here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone/

The more people who report this, the more likely it will get onto Engineering's radar.

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iPhone 13 Pro is stuck on "Sync (Step 2 of 4) - Preparing to Sync"

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