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The iPhone "..." could not be synced because the sync session failed to start

I am trying to sync my iPhone 4 with iTunes and I receive this "The iPhone 'XYZ's iPhone' could not be synced because the sync session failed to start." I have synced this phone many times in the past without any issues and this error just started to occur. I have done all the usual: reset my phone settings, restarted my computer etc. Does anyone have any suggestion as to what I could do?

iPhone 4, Mac OS X (10.6.7), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 24, 2011 8:32 PM

Reply
242 replies

Feb 17, 2012 1:10 PM in response to FalakShah

I ran into this running IOS 5.0.1 on the iPhone 4S and iTunes 10.5.3 (3) and syncing my phone and computer to iCloud.


The solution....very simple.


In System Preferences, under iCloud, input iCloud ID and password, and select Mail & Notes, Contacts, Calendars

In Settings on the iPhone, do the same in iCloud option, making sure Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Notes are on (the rest is optional)


Plug iPhone into computer, open iTunes

Click on iPhone in left side menu

In Summary make sure "Back up to iCloud" is selected

In "Info" on right side of screen, (beside Summary) deselect (remove check mark) the following:

Sync Address Book Contacts

Sync iCal Calendars

Sync Mail Accounts


Other for Notes and Safari bookmarks is to whatever your preferences are.

All other


These options are already automatically synced through iCloud, and thus does not require iTunes as a "go between."

Mar 29, 2012 3:15 PM in response to jgalicinski

FYI, I was having the same problem, couldn't sync/wouldn't get past "Starting sync 1/7" blah blah blah.

I turned off iTunes Match on my phone, turned the phone off for 5 min, quit iTunes, then turned the phone back on. Once it was on, I restarted iTunes and woop, there it is. Assumedly when I flip Match back on I'll have the same problem, but I'm just glad I got it to sync. It had been about a month since my last backup because of this problem.


37 apps to sync.. good lord.

Mar 29, 2012 3:15 PM in response to jgalicinski

FYI, I was having the same problem, couldn't sync/wouldn't get past "Starting sync 1/7" blah blah blah.

I turned off iTunes Match on my phone, turned the phone off for 5 min, quit iTunes, then turned the phone back on. Once it was on, I restarted iTunes and woop, there it is. Assumedly when I flip Match back on I'll have the same problem, but I'm just glad I got it to sync. It had been about a month since my last backup because of this problem.


37 apps to sync.. good lord.

The iPhone "..." could not be synced because the sync session failed to start

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