On 17.2.1 this happens using Windows 10 (I have an Apple Watch). When turning on airplane mode and turning off WiFi and Bluetooth it completes but log files aren’t removed. I’m thinking maybe the way co-logs are made (watch +phone) may have changed- who knows - Apple is not the company it once was - sad!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Syncing Stuck on Step 2 On Mac (MERGED)
- Thread starter papbot
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have now found that no sync is possible between my phone and mac. Turning off my Apple Watch had no effect, force quitting that MDCrashreporttool only stops the attempt but no sync occurs. I sync all my content through iCloud so this is not a critical function for me but for those who use their computers to sync content this could be devastating.
^this.
Last sync last week, with all the suggestions, was a mess for me (also affected iPad: was not seen).
Since sync is pretty much meaningless these days for me, what with iCloud handling the important stuff, crash/diagnostic logs is only item of possible issue. But since looks like these are only retained for last seven days, and storage on my phone is not an issue, will skip this for now.
Last sync last week, with all the suggestions, was a mess for me (also affected iPad: was not seen).
Since sync is pretty much meaningless these days for me, what with iCloud handling the important stuff, crash/diagnostic logs is only item of possible issue. But since looks like these are only retained for last seven days, and storage on my phone is not an issue, will skip this for now.
Enabling Airplane mode and disabling Bluetooth to disconnect Apple Watch allows iPhone to sync and remove logs in iTunes again with 17.3 beta 2.
That’s not actually a fix. In 17.2 beta 3 none of that had to be done and syncs were working. However anyone reading through here should be aware quite a number of people are reporting their phones being unuseable after this latest beta. They are apparently attempting a restore to hopefully fix this. I’ll sit out until 17.3 is fully released. No fix for syncing and a possibly bricked phone, I think not.
I received an email from Apple that the current 17.3 beta may fix this issue. After installing that I found that it does not. Force quitting MDCrashreporter does not work either. I was able to complete a sync by turning off my Apple Watch. That had failed to work also prior to installing 17.3. So I foresee no fix in the near future.
I've been having this same issue on my 15 Pro Max on every iOS 17.x beta and official release. I stopped using betas after 17.1. The only fix I found has been unplugging my 15 Pro Max from my MacBook Air once I see it's stuck on step 2, plugging it back in and pressing sync always completes the sync with no issue. Unfortunately, I have to do this same dance every time I try to sync. I hope a fix is coming.
@Jimmie Geddes This also works for me but it doesn't copy or delete the analytic log files for me.
@papbot Yup. Seems we're back to 17.1 where it will work when you turn off the Apple Watch. Logs are copied over to the Mac and some logs files are deleted off the iPhone.
I hope they fix this completely in this release but I'm doubtful.
@papbot Yup. Seems we're back to 17.1 where it will work when you turn off the Apple Watch. Logs are copied over to the Mac and some logs files are deleted off the iPhone.
I hope they fix this completely in this release but I'm doubtful.
I just found out that the MDCrashReportTool has been preventing my M1 Mini from properly sleeping properly. The only way I noticed this was that my SSD Thunderbolt raid wouldn't stay powered down when the Mini was supposed to be sleeping. So far after killing MDCrashReportTool, and preventing my iPhone 12 from automatically connecting/syncing va wifi has resolved that issue.
As this issue appears to have been occuring for years, I am wondering if this has been the reason for sleep issues in the past with my iMac. Also of note, is that of my 2 iPads and 2 iPhones, only the iPhone 12 causes the problem.
Scratch that, it must just be this latest update of Sonoma:
As this issue appears to have been occuring for years, I am wondering if this has been the reason for sleep issues in the past with my iMac. Also of note, is that of my 2 iPads and 2 iPhones, only the iPhone 12 causes the problem.
Scratch that, it must just be this latest update of Sonoma:
Last edited:
I’ll try this in the morning. Why Apple can’t get this right, since it doesn’t affect iPads, only the phones, I don’t know. Of course the watches only pair to phones so that may be a factor.
Turning off the Apple watch first had no effect. Syncing stopped at step 2, stayed there for about 2 minutes then quickly flashed across the screen as if it completed. I knew it hadn't as I have a sysdiagnose file on my phone and those take a considerable amount of time to be copied over. No sync occurred and no files were copied over or removed from my phone. Still completely broken.
Is your Mac running the RC? My MBP is and sync took a few seconds to start and complete step 2. Apple Watch has to be powered off before connecting the iPhone to the computer.
My Mac is on the current general release. I’ll try it again after the new full Sonoma release. But this is tiresome.
OT but curious - are you getting a string of ASL Sender Statistics in the console in the hours your Mini should be sleeping? I have a Mac Studio and though the screen doesn't wake, my console is peppered with overnight ASL messages. I have an external Samsung 4t SSD attached. Also have sync issue...
Thank you
I'm on latest iOS 17.2.1 and Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1
Today I was trying to sync audiobooks to my iPhone with no luck – Finder got stuck on Preparing To Sync (step 2)
It went through instantly after I turned off my Apple Watch (S9)
Glad to see I wasn't the only one!
Had syncing issues for weeks (not sure it is related but it started when I had my first Apple Watch...) and didn't find a proper solution.
It always endlessly got stuck at " Preparing to sync (step 3 of 5)" in the Finder.
I updated iPhone and Watch with the new .3 updates (macOS wise I'm stuck with Catalina) and I'm now able to perform syncing with no issues. Hope it lasts.
Had syncing issues for weeks (not sure it is related but it started when I had my first Apple Watch...) and didn't find a proper solution.
It always endlessly got stuck at " Preparing to sync (step 3 of 5)" in the Finder.
I updated iPhone and Watch with the new .3 updates (macOS wise I'm stuck with Catalina) and I'm now able to perform syncing with no issues. Hope it lasts.
Last edited:
All devices are now updated to latest releases - 17.3 for iOS and Sonoma 14.3. A sync still does not occur even with Apple Watch off. it hangs at step 2 then quickly clears after a minute or two without performing a sync. Also it no longer begins a sync when the phone is connected by cable as it is supposed to when that setting is enabled. I see that some are reporting this was improved for them but apparently for others it's still broken.
Today I updated my M1 Mac to Sonoma 14.3, Watch Ultra V1 to OS 10.3 and iPhone 15 Pro to 17.3... did it make a difference? No. It didn't. Still have to use the Activity Monitor - quit MDCrashReporter work round. Oh well...
Last edited: