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.
I just forked out $$$ for a new iPhone 8 and having the same issues syncing to my Macbook. Have spent hours trying to resolve, including 2-3hrs with apple support and upgrading OS and iOS, but still not working. If i wanted to spend hours of my life fixing this stuff i would have switched to a cheaper android.
Is Apple working on a fix in return for their profits?
Shaun, I took your advice and used Monkey Media. It worked without an issue. Thank-you!!! This after I spent hours and hours and hours with the help desk and on my own trouble shooting. I'll be getting a new phone in a month. Bye Bye Apple.
Same issue. Obviously a problem impacting many so is anything being done to rectify it? Would an iOS update with a fix be possible?
PS, this is after we jumped thorough hoops regarding drivers and storage and security software, and and and and.......
Thanks for the response. I removed most of my photos, have over 4 GB's available, and it still won't work. The album I really want to get back on my phone I purchased on my phone but it would crap out halfway through the first song. So I deleted it from itunes on my phone and figured I'd simply then move it back from my itunes desktop back to my phone. But nope, won't work. "sync failed to start." And it seems I can't request a refund as it's not within 90 days.
Man, such a simple situation with no simple solution. Apple???????
Thanks Jeremy. I'll run through a couple of these, but this cause seems unlikely to me. None of the problems described at the top of the page are what I am experiencing, and the security software isn't throwing detections. I think if Windows Defender suddenly started blocking iTunes, I wouldn't be the only one having this problem, which I apparently am!
iPhone Sync session failed to start
