Sometimes, iPhone users fail to sync their devices when they try to use iTunes and the message accompanies as “The iPhone could not be synced because the sync session failed to start. ” However, there’s no specific reason why the issue is exactly encountering. The software on the device might be outdated, or the damaged cables could be the culprit.

In this article, you will get to know how to sync iPhone, iPad, and iPod to iTunes and fix the “sync session failed to start issue”. Just go through the article till the end. So without wasting much of your time, let’s get started.

Force Restart your device

Before doing this step, close every running application that is running in the background and then performs a restart before. However, restarting your device is the major thing you can do. Some users have reported that doing the same trick twice before attempting sync resolved the issue.

For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch who have Home buttons: Press Home and Power at the same time until the Apple logo is displayed.

For iPhone 7, 7+, and iPod 7th generation: Press and hold both the side volume down buttons for 10 seconds until the Apple logo is displayed.

For iPhone 8 or above, iPad with no home button present: Press and release the volume up button, then press promptly release the volume down button, now, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo is displayed.

Restart iTunes while your iDevice is connected

While the device is connected to the PC with a lightning cable, just restart the iTunes. Once done, tap on Trust this computer if the prompt appears on your iDevice. Wait for some time and iTunes will be launched automatically. This may take more than two tries to work.

Check your cables and ports

Here, the cable that you’re using to connect the iDevice to the PC might faulty. Also, check if the ports of your device are working well. Also, try to sync the device with iTunes with another lightning cable, also avoid using third party lightning cable as it is less reliable.

It might possible that there’s debris located on the ports of the device, pass a compressed air to resolve it.

Reinstall iTunes on your computer

There are chances that iTunes or some file present there could be corrupted. In that case, you just need to reinstall iTunes from the scratch.

Reinstall iTunes on Mac

It’s not easy to reinstall iTunes on Mac, to do so, you just need to reinstall the entire macOS from the recovery mode. Make sure to create a backup before doing the process.

Step 1: Visit Apple, and Shut down the system.

Step 2: Now, turn on the system, press and hold command+R

until Apple logo appears.

Step 3: Enter the password if required.

Step 4: Now, macOS Utilities window will appear then select Reintsall macOS.

Step 5: Just follow the on screen instructions, let the reinstalltion process to be finished.

Reinstall iTunes on Windows

Reinstalling iTunes on Windows is a little complicated, it depends on the version of your Windows. You can just go to any web browser and download the suitable iTunes from the respective site.

What if Nothing Works?

If the solutions mentioned above won’t work for you, then the final and last thing you can do is to restore your iOS device to its factory settings. Mind you, it is highly recommended to create a backup before doing this process as it will erase all data.

Additionally, you can restore the device using Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode. DFU mode will allow you to remove and reinstall each and every data including applications, software, and firmware on your device.