Issues on iPhone after iOS 17.2.1 update

I was able to resolve all my issues by simply removing older messages from my message box. Go to:

Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and select it 1 year or less depending on the number of messages you have.

After deleting older messages and rebooting my system:

1.) Messages not opening - Fixed

2.) Not being able to respond to calls - Fixed

3.) Apps Crashing - Fixed

4.) Sync Issues - Fixed

I think people who have large number of text messages in their message box are all facing the same issue. By the way i was on a 1 TB device with more than 600 GB remaining.

On Jan 18, 2024 I gave a "thank you" to rishiynr for the suggestion about Mail messages, that seemed to fix the problems I was having with iOS 17+, including slow response to screen taps, apps hanging, apps crashing (including camera), iPhone rebooting without warning, getting hot. rishiynr suggested deleting old email messages - so I tried that, and it worked for me. I already had 30 GB free, so how that old Mail was implicated I don't know. (Maybe the new upgrades do their own indexing and take all the CPU time?) The iPhone has been OK since then, including the 17.3.1 upgrade. Maybe a coincidence, or maybe it was a fix. Might not work for you, but worth a try.

@Splinterw - Yes there appears to be a known issue with the mac to phone syncing. I found that the necessary step is to Force Quit the MDCrashReportTool within Activity Monitor. Apple support suggested this as one of the steps to achieve it. The others they suggested (turn off apple watch, reset phone privacy settings) didn't work, but this one did.

https://macreports.com/how-to-fix-finder-stuck-in-preparing-to-sync/

To be honest I've had other problems further on in the process but this definitely resolved the issue of being stuck on Step 2 Preparing To Sync

I finally found another solution.

Complete uninstall of iTunes from my PC with a fresh installation from scratch (Old version from Apple website which I then updated using the Apple Software Update Tool), just be sure you have your settings updated so that the iTunes media copy is there to update your library afterwards.

I'm pretty sure Apple would not want to encourage the deletion of their programme as a solution to peoples problems - but who am I to question their wisdom........

THANK YOU for the suggestion. I was having slow responses to screen touches, apps crashing (even camera and messages), iPhone heating - and emails getting stuck in Outbox with a message saying they could not be sent because 'not enough memory on device'...even though there were 30 GB free. I went through the emails and deleted anything older than about 6 months (had a lot stored for business reasons)... and IT WORKED (apparently). Haven't had any of the problems for the last 24 hours. Fingers crossed that it holds...🤞

Yes, it’s insane! My phone is basically a useless brick now.

Some other things that’s happening to mine is, I’m not getting text notifications at all, and my alarm isn’t going off either. No sound, no vibration, no banner, no Lock Screen notification, nothing.

I contacted Apple support and the best they could do was send me articles and suggestions including “did you make sure notifications are on?” and “Did you make sure your volume is up for the alarm?” They treat you like an idiot who doesn’t know how to use their phone, when crystal clear after reading a few threads that their software is the problem -_-

have you tried the “Apple Devices” app (by Apple) on the Microsoft store? They’re trying to phase out iTunes, and it works with my iPhone on 17.2.1.

IOS 17.2.1 is causing videos to black out and freeze.

I have been updating my devices ever since I bought my first device in 2009. iPhone 3Gs, 4S, 5, 6, SE (1st Gen), 7, 8 and iPhone 12 Pro, iPad Pro, iPhone 13, Macbook Air 2019, MacBook Pro 16"

I never had any issues with any iOS, iPadOS, or macOS updates to date.

I would personally recommend everyone update their devices instead of listening to rumors from people who may not have kept their devices free from any spurious software.

iOS / iPadOS devices cannot be hacked or infected with Virus / Malware / Spyware if it is updated to the latest iOS/iPadOS unless you have intentionally downloaded spurious software or unauthorized apps directly from the internet and installed them on your device or/and have Jailbroken. 

iOS updates generally aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. Issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

This seems purely coincidental so please check the Setting on your device.

See what each update does: About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

Starting yesterday my iPhone 14 pro and my wife’s 14 have not been able to sync with her iMac or my MacBook Air. The sync process appears to start then just sits there saying “Syncing (step 2 of 4) - Preparing to sync”. I left it overnight to see if it was an indexing issue and it was still chewing in the morning. Also, it blocks the mac from shutting down/restarting until I force quit Finder.

I've never had any real problems with updates in the past, but after all the iOS17 updates the iPhone XR has been hanging, taking seconds to respond to a touch on the screen, and apps have been crashing. Tried taking photos today and the camera app crashed a couple of times, had to restart it each time. Others have done that too (e.g. mail). The phone also dings multiple times every now and then, and nothing appears to be happening. Sometimes the phone gets hot. I have to reboot the phone at least once a day, sometimes a few times to get it back to 'normal' operation for a little while. This is the worst update I have experienced.

Same here. Since 17.2.1 update unable to sync my personal music on PC using iTunes or on MacBook using Apple Music!

My iCloud sync work (well, it doesn’t, it’s a complete mess, but that’s another very long story). Seriously thinking about binning Apple altogether, until they can work out their own tech!

Personally, will not be doing anymore upgrades until at least a month after release. Hopefully they may get some of it right?

I updated my 14 Pro Max to iPhone to 17.2.1 and now I absolutely hate it

1.) Messages do not open. All i get is white unresponsive display

2.)The caller id display does not work. The dynamic island shows that you are getting a call but no display when you click on it. I have to tell siri ro answer my call

3.) The phone is slow and hangs often

I've just updated my iphone XR to 17.2.1, had synced and backed up immediately before and all was good, updated through iTunes, and now iTunes no longer recognised my phone. Very ****** off. Same thing happened to my wifes phone earlier today, different model but less than 2 years old, i made the mistake of updating that one and itunes wouldn't recognise that one on the PC, mine was updated in trying to solve the problem.

It's a new PC, new iTunes installation, checked for updates, restarted everything, updated everything, checked drivers, swapped usb ports, removed other connections, device manager, everything. I've wasted hours on this. I wish there was a rollback system.

Suggesting that others aren't using genuine updates or that problems are unrelated is unhelpful. As for "never having issues following an update" I'm not convinced that is an honest or serious statement. I really regret todays update as both phones are dysfunctional now, so I wish Apple had their act together before releasing updates.

I used to love Apple, but I can’t be the only one who’s noticed EVERYTHING has gone downhill quite rapidly since Steve’s been gone. It’s like nobody at the company care about quality anymore. It’s sad really. I still like them better than any other tech giants, but not by much..