Friday, October 21, 2011

iOS5: The iPhone ... Could not be synced because the sync session failed to start

iOS5 continues to be a problem.  One of the main complaints is an error encountered when attempting to sync an iPhone or iPod to iTunes:

"The iPhone [device name] Could not be synced because the sync session failed to start"

Several work-arounds have been suggested including simply restarting the iOS device. One procedure that seems to work well is to remove the device backups from iTunes.  Before you do this, make sure you backup your backups folder: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
  • Connect your device and open iTunes
  • Go to Preferences/Devices
  • Delete all backups
  • Click "OK"
  • Restart iTunes and attempt another sync
Sometimes you may see duplicate backups listed.  I found that by deleting all but one backup also allows the device to sync.

Apple's iOS troubleshooting page has some good tips:  http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529



35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay, this worked for me, thanks.

For Windows users, the folder is c:\users\\appdata\roaming\apple computer\mobilesync\backup

Anonymous said...

Ya it worked for me too..
Thnks 4 the help

Anonymous said...

Worked perfect thanks very much!

Anonymous said...

thanks , it worked perfectly on my ipod ;) thankyou thankyou very much appreciate lot ;)

Anonymous said...

Yay! worked for me as well, thanks buddy

Anonymous said...

Thanks, it worked for me, after deleting the backup. Good clear instructions thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot dear :-)

Anonymous said...

Helped us out here too, great post!

sheri said...

yayers! worked, thanks!

Anonymous said...

this was awesome thank you so much

Anonymous said...

Still working. Scoured Apple's site and 1/2 dozen others, but yours was the solution that worked. Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much! That was a quick easy fix for my daughter's ipod!! Appreciate the simple directions for a beginner like myself! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Yup worked for me too (iPhone 4 with iOS 5 syncing to Windows 7). Many thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much - it was driving me nuts, but this worked perfectly - and so simple!

Anonymous said...

I didn't see a MobileSync folder, but otherwise this worked perfectly. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Perfect solution. Thank you very much!!

Anonymous said...

diddnt work for me!! its still giving me the same error.. please help man

Eclïpse said...

If the above doesn't work for you, try resetting the lockdown folder.

For Windows Vista / 7, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect all iOS devices from your computer and quit iTunes.

2.Open Computer from the Start menu.

3. Choose Organize > Folder and search options in the file-browser window, then click the View tab and change the "Hidden files and folders" option to "Show hidden files and folders." Click OK.

4. Navigate to the following folder on your computer:
C:\ProgramData\Apple

5. Delete the Lockdown folder.

6. Reconnect your iOS device and open iTunes.

For other computers, check here http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529 (option 6).

Anonymous said...

This helped me. Thank you.

Running: iPad2 / iTunes 10.5.2.11 / Win 7 x64

Anonymous said...

Outstanding advice! Worked like a charm.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

It worked. Thanks a lot

Anonymous said...

This worked perfectly. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks. Greetings from Bangalore. I worked really well.

Asterboi said...

This solution REALLY WORKS!
Thank you so much Macninja!
More power to you! :-)

Anonymous said...

Perfect! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

This works! Thank you!

hemanth said...

both the lockdown thing and the preferences thing hvnt worked!! :( any idea y the problem persists!?

Anonymous said...

neither lockdown reset, nor deleting backup work. Any ideas?

ratn said...

Thanks
worked

Frank said...

Nope, none of this has worked. Neither have any of Apple's tips. I may have to call them, but no time today.

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot !! it works for me

Anonymous said...

Thank you! It worked :D

Rusty said...

Awesome.. that instructions are really working on my part. Thanks anyway. - you can check here

Unknown said...

dont delete your backups, leave your device plugged, turn it off and close itunes as well. then turn your device back on and it will sync again.
you could also close itunes and reopen

check over here said...

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