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iTunes 11.1.2.31 Won't Finish Sync with iPad 3

I just updated to iTunes 11.1.2.31 and when I sync my iPad (model MD368LL/A) iTunes gets stuck on "Finishing Sync". It does not seem to have any ill effect on the iPad when I disconnect it.


My iPhone 5S syncs without problem.

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 10:44 AM

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105 replies

Oct 31, 2013 11:51 PM in response to Gingahippy

Well...last night, I thought I had it all figured out. I had several successful syncs after I used the method in my post above. Even when making changes to playlists, everything synched successfully every time.


Tonight, however, it's back to the same crap. Hanging on "Waiting for changes..." and no changes being made. Sometimes iTunes crashes in the process.


The only thing that seems to complete correctly is the backup, as it logs it correctly under "Latest Backup"...but ****, who knows if THAT'S even working right.


Really frustrated, Apple. And yes...I've sent detailed iTunes feedback here and via the error box that pops up when iTunes crashes.

Nov 1, 2013 9:38 AM in response to B504

Same problems here. I was about to do the restore from scratch and add everything manually. The tip above about wi-fi sync made me think to simply turn off wi-fi on my phone. I was sync'ing via usb cable anyway. The sync'ing of my library is now finishing and not getting stuck/cancelled. THANKS!


I'll try adding new music/pics/video to see if they sync properly. I am just happy I have my music back now.

Nov 1, 2013 8:32 PM in response to gprof

Same problem with my 4S. My fix is to hit the sync button when the message says "waiting for sync to finish". A new sync begins without any message indicating I had interrupted anything. The new sync finishes in a few minutes and everything is fine til I reconnect and sync again. (I sync with iMac. Could the problem be that Apple is focusing on syncing over the cloud? Or is it another step toward making the 4S obsolete? Or is it simply a coding glitch? We may or may not know with the next upgrade iOS.

Nov 2, 2013 4:29 AM in response to gearmaster

This is the same as my "solution" but requiring the extra step (manually starting the extra sync) is not a real solution. Several people have indicated that the sync does not always get stuck at the end, i.e., that the issue does not always occur. I just synced my iPhone 4S with my iMac first by USB and then over wifi and in both instances the sync did not get hung up. This suggests an epigenetic coding error - something else in addition to running a sync is a prerequisite either for the hangup occurring or not occurring. If Apple is listening, I hope that helps find the error and fix.

Nov 2, 2013 4:43 AM in response to Tony in Ottawa

Ok. This is what fixes it; at least with Windows 7 and iOS 7.0.3 on an iPhone 5. The problem appears to be with iTunes, not the phone.

In iTunes go to Preferences, under Advanced Reset then change the iTunes Music folder (You don't need to use another folder, just reselect it). Ok your way out and sync. No more endless Finishing Sync loop!!

Nov 2, 2013 9:43 AM in response to Tony in Ottawa

Experiencing same glitches, quirky device behavior, and very noticeable slowing of all Apple devices (iPad, 2-iPhones, iMac) since all of the recent "updates".

Come on Apple; If I wanted to turn wrenches on a computer all day, I'd have paid half the price and stuck with crumby Microsoft devices!

Sorry to be rude, but I sort of thought I'd left all of this behind years ago...

Nov 2, 2013 10:06 AM in response to Tony in Ottawa

OK, so this is not anything original: But iTunes, which began a decade ago for music and drag-and-drop to your iPod, has become bloated by attempting to be a do-all -- a media player of several types, a store, and a sync app for various devices, all built on a decade old and unattractive platform. Solutions have been offered all over the tech world for this sluggish, buggy, dinosaur of a program, but Apple plods along, which raises this question: Why does a company that at one time, and in some areas still does (e.g. iOS 7), prided itself on replacing functional old products with revised new ones, which are more attractive and work better, still lumber on with this iTunes format?

Nov 2, 2013 10:21 AM in response to drjwr

drjwr wrote:


OK, so this is not anything original: But iTunes, which began a decade ago for music and drag-and-drop to your iPod, has become bloated by attempting to be a do-all -- a media player of several types, a store, and a sync app for various devices, all built on a decade old and unattractive platform. Solutions have been offered all over the tech world for this sluggish, buggy, dinosaur of a program, but Apple plods along, which raises this question: Why does a company that at one time, and in some areas still does (e.g. iOS 7), prided itself on replacing functional old products with revised new ones, which are more attractive and work better, still lumber on with this iTunes format?


Although this is a topic for another thread, I couldn't agree more. Apple needs to separate out iTunes (music, movies, etc.) from the rest of the support pieces. This is what's really holding them back from being fully embraced in Enterprise IMHO. As soon as you mention having to connect an iDevice to "iTunes" for updates, file management, etc. to an uninformed CEO, CFO, etc. they immediately associate it with entertainment rather than business and the conversation gets sidetracked or comes to an immediate end in my experience.


These sorts of bugs may or may not be a result of iTunes trying to be all things, but it certainly can't be helping, again, IMHO.

iTunes 11.1.2.31 Won't Finish Sync with iPad 3

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