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iTunes stuck on last stage of sync, "Waiting for items to copy", NEVER COMPLETES??

Ive upgraded all my software, OSX, iOS 5, new iTunes, etc. Now, whenever I try to sync my phone, either via WiFi or USB, I get stuck on the last stage that says, "Syncing Genius Data to Iphone (Step 7 of 7) - Waiting for items to copy". It won't complete the sync. Whats up???


Also, not all of my previous Ringtones will upload, so I cant use them. HELP!

iPhone 4, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Oct 12, 2011 6:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 12, 2011 7:40 PM

I have the exact same problem - updated to ios5 and iTunes 10.5 today and now can't complete a sync because it's wating to genius items to copy. Kind of frustrated.

301 replies

Oct 12, 2011 9:41 PM in response to matobii

Same problem here.

Stuck at Syncing Genius Data.

I've let it sync for over 2 hours and it still is stuck there.

Cancelling the sync once i get there is the only thing i can do now. Not that it affects the backup but it still feels bad to stop the sync when it's not done.

Hope they fix this soon.


Having problems in Windows 7 64 bits.

Oct 12, 2011 11:47 PM in response to matobii

Hey, I was having the same problem,, i just got mine to work. Take off everything but your apps (meaning take off pictures, music, ringtones, movies, tv shows, etc just leave on the apps) Then go up to the top and go to Store and turn off Genius. Restore your iPhone (It'll ask you to back up, click yes.) Restore from back up, Let your apps come back then when those are done add each category one by one. (i.e. click Photos -> Sync Photos and let them finish, then click something else like music) Hope this helps!

Oct 12, 2011 11:57 PM in response to matobii

It's the same deal for me. I have Windows 7 and an iPhone 3GS. The loading window just says "synching artwork to iPhone (Step 4 of 4)-- Waiting for items to copy." The loading bar under the message looks like gives the illusion that it's finishing but this has been going on for more than an hour. I've had many other problems with this iOS 5 download.

Oct 14, 2011 1:15 AM in response to Nader H

I was having these sync problems after I upgraded my iPhone 4 to iOS 5 but found a simple solution.


Cancel the sync in iTunes. In iTunes turn off Genius (Menu > Store > Turn Off Genius). Then un-tick the Sync options for all the following for your device (iPhone, iPad etc.):


Sync Ringtones

Sync Movies

Sync TV Shows

Sync Books

Sync Photos


Now press the Sync button. All the items will be removed (quite quickly).

Now go back to iTunes and reselect the Sync tick box options for all the items you disables as in the list above.

Press the iTunes Sync button. After all the items have been re-synced press the Sync button again as some further artwork may need syncing.


Now turn Genius back on (Menu > Store > Turn Genius On) and then press the Sync button again. After it finishes press Sync one more time and after this all should be back to normal. 🙂

iTunes stuck on last stage of sync, "Waiting for items to copy", NEVER COMPLETES??

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