The iPhone cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (-50)

I also just tried rebooting my iphone, complete power off and reboot, then it synched OK.

Your link is specifically relating to Update & Restore errors, not general sync errors. I think Apple's advice on error 50 at your link is extremely off-base for most users seeing this error during a basic sync.

The advice to reset/reboot the iPhone will probably help most users, and I think it's the first thing anyone should try.

see

Error 13, 14, 35 and 50 (or -50)

These errors are typically resolved by performing one or more of the steps listed below:

1. Perform USB isolation troubleshooting, including trying a different USB port directly on the computer. See the advanced steps below for USB troubleshooting.
2. Put a USB 2.0 hub between the device and the computer.
3. Try a different USB 30-pin dock-connector cable.
4. Eliminate third-party security software conflicts.
5. There may be third-party software installed that modifies your default packet size in Windows by inserting one or more TcpWindowSize entries into your registry. Your default packet size being set incorrectly can cause this error. Contact the manufacturer of the software that installed the packet-size modification for assistance. Or, follow this article by Microsoft: How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to reset the packet size back to the default for Windows.
6. Connect your computer directly to your Internet source, bypassing any routers, hubs, or switches. You may need to restart your computer and modem to get online.
7. Try to restore from another known-good computer and network.

Restarting is normally the answer to this problem.. But if youve tried that and it hasn't worked then you are in the same boat as me. I accedentally unplugged my phone durnig a sync and now most my music is gone and doesnt sync back.

You must restore completely then on first boot, restore from backup.

You'll keep all your personal data, and its a bit time consuming, but if you couldnt solve your problem by restarting this is the way to fix it.

I had the same problem with my iPad 2. error 50 on a Wireless sync. Tried most everything. Reset iPad (power + home button held together. Power Reset), checked un unchecked wireless sync button under summary tab. Sync'd in between each step.

What also worked for me was shutting down iTunes and restarting it again. The app even remembered I was setup for wireless sync. I selected the iPad, wireless sync'd. All's well.

ATT Read everything before excuting: I have found that Photos Sync in iTunes causes major problems (Error-50) when I try to sync my iPhone in iTunes. I un-synced the photos and everything else Syncs great.

The problem evolves from photos not associated or taken with iPhones I believe. (Cannon, Net, etc...)

I'm still working on this however, when I use iPhoto Sharing, (Not iTunes) I'm able to bring pictures back to my iPhone. I have found that one of the causes is from drag and drop from the Net. (Screen Wallpaper etc...) These photos can cause a world of issues because of the format.

These pictures can be changed to other formats and may stop this issue. (unproven)

I've also found that my backups have all been contaminated from these pictures. So, I had to go into Perferences in iTunes to erase all my back ups. Att: This may not be needed. Take care before erasing back ups.

This is still a work in process so, tread lightly. However, un-syncing Photos will get you a step closer, and stop the (Error -50) Any input would be great.

Good luck.

I have tried everything suggested - my iphone 5s, iphone 4s & ipad 3 all have the same error when i try to sync photos - if i leave photos off sync they then work ok.

I have found one thing that has worked. I created another iphoto library and at present have just put 1000 photos in from 2 of my albums. They all then synced perfectly including the photos in the 2nd library. It then obviously seems to be caused by the iphoto library not working with itunes. I will continue to add more of my albums to the new library and see if any problem arises.

My one question would be if and when i have put all my albums & photos into the new library will I then be able to delete the old library without losing any photos from my macbook?

If anybody knows the answer please let me know

thanks

I'm not a big fun of iPhoto because it's inability to interact through iTunes stinks. One wrong photo can rain down all sorts of issues.

I have found that in iPhoto, photo sharing works better at getting photos back on your iPhone. You can drag and drop photos etc...

Take time and explore iPhoto Sharing. Also I wouldn't delete anything till you're sure. You can create a desktop Folder and copy all you pictures to that folder. After, you can delete iPhoto pictures then, reload your pictures to iPhoto from that folder.

feel free to ask more questions.

That's Great Jimmy.

It's always nice to see things workout with a positive ending. As to way iPhoto does this is still unknown however, remember you can use iPhotos sharing to get the photos back on your iPhone. All you need to do is turn on sharing and drag and drop to the sharing folder in iPhoto. Make sure iPhoto sharing is on, on your iPhone, and both computer and phone sync.

Always remember to back up. Always remember each program has it's own help section. This will help you to understand the program better, and if a problem brings you here you will have a better idea on how to present the issue at hand.

1bish

I get this every morning. Every evening I plug my iPad into my Mac when I'm done reading and go to sleep. Every morning I have this error.

Quitting and restarting iTunes gets rid of this message.

That "fix" implies that all of the connections work. I infer that the error happens when my computer goes into power save mode.

In that case, it is a bug. Remember when we believed Apple just worked? When we didn't expect lots of bugs that Apple refuses to tell us whether they are being fixed?

Howard Brazee wrote:

I get this every morning. Every evening I plug my iPad into my Mac when I'm done reading and go to sleep. Every morning I have this error.

Quitting and restarting iTunes gets rid of this message.

That "fix" implies that all of the connections work. I infer that the error happens when my computer goes into power save mode.

In that case, it is a bug. Remember when we believed Apple just worked? When we didn't expect lots of bugs that Apple refuses to tell us whether they are being fixed?

And since this issue is extremely rare and the vast majority of users never encounter this, it still 'just works'.

Name me a manufacturer that has a 0% defect/failure occurrence rate.

Mistakes happen. I wouldn't want to have a company that is run by someone who hasn't made mistakes, because I want someone who can handle mistakes.

What irritates me about Apple bugs is that they so very often are not acknowledged. We don't know how they are being addressed. Maybe they aren't considered bugs by Apple. Maybe they aren't considered important. Maybe we aren't considered important. Maybe they have already been fixed and are awaiting the next software upgrade. Maybe they can't be fixed. We don't know.

This particular bug appears to be old, but maybe it is a bunch of different problems that give the same message. In that case, it would be nice to know that a two-year-old fix doesn't apply to the new conditions.

But we aren't told.

I find that I almost always get this when I get done reading before sleeping, and plug it into my sleeping Mac. I rarely get it if I wake my Mac first, before plugging in my iPad.

Which implies this is a bug which Apple could fix, but may decide not to fix. And we all know Apple won't tell us what it decides.

If you are like me you might try the following to fix. I simply turned the need for a password. It seems that syncing is too fast and the prompt to put in password does not appear before your computer trying to gain access. Turning off the password allowed my computer to do the syncing and update with no problems.

I had the same issue, first a error -54. I wiped the phone clean, then restored from backup. This got me to an error -50. Finally resolved it by remembering a post I had seen about a year ago with similar issues. Un-Ticked the "Sync this Iphone Over WI-FI". After un-ticking, the phone syncs again. All apps loading back up. Hope this works for those who are having the same issue..