For the past couple weeks, I can't sync my iPhone SE due to a 'sync session failed to start' message. I'm in Windows 10. I have tried restarting/updating everything, connecting with iTunes closed, using a different cable/trying wireless sync, reinstalling iTunes. Nothing works! Only thing I haven't tried is restoring the iPhone – now of course, the latest backup is after the problems started. Any suggestions?
iPhone SE, Windows 10, HP Envy desktop
Final note, I hope. Restoring to factory settings and setting up as a new iPhone is indeed the thing that solved the "sync session failed to start" error. I did not try restoring from a backup, so I don't know that it wouldn't work. Obviously, you need to back up before you factory reset. Apple Support made a valiant effort, but they're just not familiar with this issue.
Final note, I hope. Restoring to factory settings and setting up as a new iPhone is indeed the thing that solved the "sync session failed to start" error. I did not try restoring from a backup, so I don't know that it wouldn't work. Obviously, you need to back up before you factory reset. Apple Support made a valiant effort, but they're just not familiar with this issue.
I had this problem on a 16gb 5S when trying to solve the 'storage full' issue (separately). My iPhone has a huge discrepancy in the 'other' category that's filling the phone, but when trying to sync it failed.
The sync failure appears to have been due to a lack of space. I offloaded all my photos to create some temporary space and the synchronisation is working again.
Hopefully this means I can now address the issue being taken up by 'other' storage taking up over half the phone, and showing as free in iTunes, but occupied in the phone itself.
Another hour of my life I won't get back again though...
Just adding a note that I am not the only one having this problem, as a search of recent posts shows: https://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?q=sync%2Bsession%2Bfailed%2Bto%2Bstart &page=1&content=filterDiscussions&time=m…
Resetting to factory seems to be the only step that has worked, unfortunately: iPhone could not be synced because sync session failed to start Seems pretty clear that the problems are linked to recent iOs 12 update, and that backups are corrupt
Also have this problem (iPhone SE) after "upgrading" to iOS 12+, tried pretty much everything you tried, only "solution" seems to be a factory reset without restore.
Exactly. You have a corrupted file. So just restore to factory and sync as much as you can. Add back your email accounts. Forget your old texts and social junk.
How can Apple know which of your files is corrupt?
To sync music install Media Monkey free version. Get it to scan your iTunes music folder then sync the required songs to your iPhone. Works a treat.
I've had the same issue on my SE since 12 update, definitely not related to third party software as have tried on MacBook as well as Windows PC. Have tried all the suggested solutions (except factory reset) and none work.
My wifes iPhone 6 syncs fine using same cables and both MacBook and pc.
After doing a safety back-up on my C drive, I did the factory reset and my iphone was able to sync just fine. Once I restored the back-up, no go. On Apples advice, I tried it again by backing up I Cloud instead. Still no go. I'm able to sync to my ipad with no issues.
I have spent hours on the phone with Apple. They continue to say it has nothing to do with the update and everything to do with the data on my phone.
Really??? Really???
There must be some corrupted file or something which is causing this. I am going to test this with my old phone - the factory reset. My plan is to do the back up, reset the phone, try to sync before loading the back up folder back to phone. If it will work good, than I will try to put all the files back and do the sync. If the error will be back there is something wrong with one of the files, maybe apps? So the only way which comes to my mind to keep at least the photos and contacts is to back up to Google Photos and get the contact from gmail, I heard that is possible.
Will let you know if I succeeded .
I’m having the same issue. I now have a 128gb iPhone that I can’t put music onto.
Ive tried everything apart from a restore. Something I’m loath to do. This software should work, every time, why do we have to keep jumping through hoops ?
I’m having the same issue. I now have a 128gb iPhone that I can’t put music onto.
Ive tried everything apart from a restore. Something I’m loath to do. This software should work, every time, why do we have to keep jumping through hoops ?
Hi guys, I'm having the same issue. my itunes and phone are up to date, 6S, Windows 10.
Why when apple responds with a solution that does not work, as they did above, do they disappear? Could someone from Apple please step up and respond?
It's things like this that will drive me to Android. After Apple's recent profit warning Cook stated they were going to work on Customer Service. So where is it?
I'm having the same issue, after I updated my Itunes. I troubleshooted for a few hours and finally called Apple. After 1.5 hours on the phone and then restoring my operating system and then restoring the back-up, still no go.
Having this same issue and its very frustrating. I have an iphone 6 with 12.1.3 installed and the newest itunes version on my pc running windows 7. I had an older version of itunes on my pc and i thought that was causing the issue so i updated that and tried again. Nothing, same sync session failed to start message. I tried updating my iphone to 12.1.3, same issue. Tried using an actual apple cable and syncing over wifi, zip. All i want to do is do upload some music to my phone that i have on cds and i can't do that if i dont sync my phone. Apple can you please at least acknowledge that this is a problem with ios 12 and try to fix it?
Dear support,
I have the same issue since I bought a new iPhone X, previously I had iPhone SE, with no problem with synchronizing my music. When I get the new iPhone X, I did a back up of the SE phone and sync with the new X phone. Everything got over, contacts, apps, photos but no music, and the sync ended up with an error. After I tried to do the separate sync of the music and after I plugged in iPhone X I got this message: the iPhone could not sync because the session failed to start.
I literally tried everything, all is up to date, I removed the previous back up I authorize my computer, I tried this on Mac and Windows computer as well. I reboot my iPhone. Only thing I did not do is the factory reset. But as I read below, the ones they did the back up first then factory reset it solved the sync, but as soon as they put the file/back up on the phone the issue appeared again.
This brings me to the end of it where only problem is probably some corrupted file, setting which gets over when you do the full back up, so even if you do the factory reset, and fix the sync, after you put this all back to your phone is not working again.
Could you please find out what part, setting or file could cause this and how to fix it?
Thank you very much
iPhone Sync session failed to start
