sync won't start

Ok, I'm having the same issue with this, at the Waiting for sync to start and I can see my iphone under the devices, after a while I get this message:

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

Attempted to manually start the sync in the corner of the iTunes, but that doesn't work either. Is there a fix to this?

Thanks

Mine is doing the same. Neither Ipad or Iphone will sync

APPLE PLEASE FIX THIS !!!

Surprised not to see a few more with this problem, and no answers either; last time this happened, when I first bought the iPad, I had to restore it to the factory settings, just a day after getting it set up the way I wanted.

Yesterday, my iPhone sync wouldn't start, but this morning it has - but again, the iPad won't; I'm getting that same message "... could not be synced because the sync session failed to start". I really don't want to have to restore it again!

Having the same problem. I synced my iPhone yesterday, no problem. Tried syncing my iPad today and got the error message that the session failed to start. So I tried my iPhone and now it won't sync either. I really don't want to restore or reinstall anything if there's an easier way.

Hello all,

I was having the same problem with my iPad 2 failing to start a sync session. I tried restarting my iPad, but that didn't work. My next action (which ending up being successful) was ejecting my iPad, quitting iTunes and restarting iTunes.

Summary:

Shut off and unplug iDevice.

Quit iTunes.

Plug in iDevice.

Open iTunes if it does not automatically open.

Sync iDevice if it does not automatically sync.

I hope this works for you as well.

Hi all,

My first day on here ;o) I haven't been able to sync my i-Phone today after re-booting several times. I got the same message as others 'failed to start' and I didn't want to re-set my i-Phone. I switched my phone off, unplugged usb to dock, closed iTunes and then switched phone back on, plugged in and it was successful! Very frustrating and worrying at first as I thought my i-Phone was sick!! ;o)

This worked for me, too. Thanks for the tip. ('Hope we don't have to do this every time!)

I was having a simular problem today. I have previously synced this phone with system before.

iMac i7

iPhone 4

The sync would say "unable to sync phone because itunes can not detect applications"

I then unplugged phone from USB and tried again and it would not recognize the phone.

After troubleshooting, I found I was using a Belkin aftermarket USB cord with a USB extension cord.

I unplugged all that and used an apple USB cord and all works fine.

Weird.

Ok, found another solution instead of down powering the iPhone and restarting it to sync. Apparently there all the programs you open remain open, but are hidden. If you double click the home button (circle) it will show which programs are currently running on the iPhone. I had a TON of them on that little bar. If you hold down one of the icons it will start to quiver and show a <-> in the upper left corner. This is where you can close that program. I ended up closing a lot of these and then attempted to sync to my computer and it did sync. This is another way to clear the iPhone without actually powering it off.

Thank you everyone for your help in this matter too.

Being an absolute novice, I really am struggling to see the home (cirlce) button you are talikng about. Is it on the 'phone or on the itunes page on the PC. Please advise an bona fida technophobe!!

The home button is the only button on the face of the iPhone. Bottom center with rounded cornered square on it.

Yes, I am that obad. You must have a good laugh about that. I'll never forget that now!!

And yes, I do feel like a bit of an idiot
Thanks for the help, problem now sorted.

This worked for me and my iPhone 3G. Thanks.

Having the same problem, having just upgraded to Snowleopard from Leopard, syncing appears to initiate but times out. Photos sync through iphoto but itunes just times out!!

Excellant! Thank you and good call! Worked for me too