Some users have reported an issue in which iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPod and iPod fail to sync after the update to iTunes 10. iTunes may display the error message “An unknown error occured (13010).”
There are a number of potential fixes for this issue:
- Reinstall iTunes. In some cases this issue can be resolved by completely removing then reinstalling iTunes as described in this Apple Knowledge Base article.
- Remove third-party backup or antivirus software. If you’ve installed software for an external hard drive or another device, it may include an automatic backup utility that recognizes the iOS device as a storage device, interfering with the normal sync process. Try uninstalling any such software then re-syncing.
- Disable network connection. In some cases, simply disabling your network connection (turning off AirPort or unplugging your Ethernet cable) will resolve the slow or stuck backup phase. It appears that iTunes performs some data network data transfer during the backup process which can, for unknown reasons, take an extremely long time or become stalled.
- Restore instead of update. Backup your iPhone or iPod touch, then perform a restore process instead of using the check for update function. This may allow the iPhone or iPod touch to successfully receive the iOS 4.0 update, after which sync processes should occur at normal speed.
- Switch USB ports. Try switching your iPhone or iPod touch to a different USB port. In particular, if you are using a hub or other intermediary device, try connecting the device directly to your computer.
- Delete iTunes .plist. If you are using Mac OS X, delete the following file ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.itunes.plist then restart
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October 3, 2010 at 5:13 PM
I have installed itunes 10, plugged in my ipod to sync and I received an error message. I restarted my computer and then reinstalled 10 again but it still doesn’t work. I’m leery removing my antivirus software because I can’t afford to get a virus. I can’t believe that you guys can’t figure this problem out on your end. I just purchased 2 albums but can’t sync them to my ipod and I’m not happy. Please advise.
October 4, 2010 at 3:59 AM
Not only that i can’t open itunes 10 now, my Ipod Touch crashed too!
here’s what I did:
>I downloaded iTunes 10 compatible to Windows7
>I installed iTunes 10
>Tried opening it but it didn’t work the first time
>Plugged in my Ipod Touch and it worked fine.
>Downloaded apps
>Downloaded Ipod Touch System Update
>Installed Ipod Touch System Update
>Ipod Touch crashed, asking to Restore
>Restore didn’t work
>Restarted the PC
>Now my iTunes DOESN’T WORK and my iPOD Crashed and won’t turn on.
>Tried turning off the firewall to start iTunes (didn’t work)
>Tried Compatibility Options (didn’t work too)
October 21, 2010 at 5:12 AM
Hi guys did anyone get a resolution ? I am having major issues with my iphone and itunes 10 on windows 7
* updated it and it was fine the first time
* next time i tried to sync it said it was already synced to another itunes library.
* i said “yes erase everything and sync with this library option” it erased everything and didn’t sync
* tried to sync again and i am back to “its synced with another library option erase and sync ? “
October 25, 2010 at 2:21 AM
I’ve got an original iPhone and it’s been brilliant. Always kept sync with my Outlook, always.
My iPhone did an upgrade and now it’s all gone ‘Pete Tong’.
I’ve spent hours and hours trawling through the internet for a fix. Tried all sorts, all to no avail.
With iTunes open, I can tick the sync with outlook contacts and calendars. The ticks appear. When I click on apply for it to accept and to start syncing, the tick’s dissppear and it syncs without any Outlook contacts or calendars.
I now have an iPhone which has no contacts or calendars in it. I have to guess who’s texting me as I just get a number.
Hasn’t anyone found a resolution to this ? I phoned iPhone support and was told that I don’t have any support cos I’ve had my phone to long ???
HELP SOMEONE before I loose faith in what has been a superb phone until now.
October 28, 2010 at 7:43 AM
WOW. Same issue here. iPhone 3gs worked perfectly and sync’d in about 3 or 4 minutes (Windows XP) until I followed the Apple advice adn updated the Itunes to 10.0.1 adn the phone to 4.1
Now it gets hung on one of the sync steps and stays there forever. I only have 500 contacts and no music, video etc. Talked with Apple support and after explaining I didnt call to buy some support for a 2 month old phone, I talked with a tech and eas advised to do a clean uninstall of iTunes per their procedures. I did that and disable the AVG antivirus adn reinstalled. Same thing and iTunes wants to lock up occasionally. Reset my phone to original settings. Same thing!
It will sync apps in a few seconds but Outlook Contacts and Calendar seems impossible.
Whats up? From 3 or 4 minutes time to infinity now? Anyone have any suggestions? We switched to iPhones because the Blackberry’s were always iffy to sync. Has to be a solution somewhere. It has to be in the updated software.
October 28, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Hi, same issue here.
Only that i can sync apps though, from itunes 10 to iphone4 (win7 64). For example Navigon. When it comes to musik,audiobooks,movies,podcast,ect. it just don’t sync….
why the hell is that `?
November 2, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Major issues with iPhone 4 sync – will sync calendar & contacts but NOT notes!
I can’t function without my notes…
Anyone found a lead to a resolve this?
November 6, 2010 at 9:33 AM
Love the iphone/iTouch apps, but iTunes upgrade and sync is as usual a disaster. Had same problem with many people here. To get new app – had to go to OS 4.x for iTouch, and that OF COURSE meant going from iTunes 9x to 10. On my windows XP that meant had to use Admin acct. did that, got all updates ran them, iTunes did auto syn (as admin) wiped out iTouch music which scares hell out of people and didn’t upgrade any app. Went back to reg. user acct luckily all music was still there, but all apps are gray and no updates I paid for will sync with my iTouch all gray…dead. When will apple ever get this right? Do they have any idea work it takes to remove major virus software – if you can???? -
November 14, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Just removed iTunes from my MacBook Pro and downloaded again (fresh install) and it works ok … (sync)
Restarted this morning and back to the old problem – IT WON’T SYNCH ! grrrrr
November 15, 2010 at 12:14 PM
I have an ipad that I updated with itunes 10. Now it will connect to the computer but does not show up as a device so there is no way to sync it. I have tried about everything. Does anyone else have this problem?
November 16, 2010 at 10:49 AM
YIKES! New version of Outlook on PC. Calendar on PC syncs to iPhone 4 but appointments added to the phone don’t sync to PC. USED TO WORK!!!! More Suggestions please!
November 20, 2010 at 4:10 AM
Hi – I, too am, totally frustrated after doing a recent update on XP. Itunes keeps freezing. Ipod won’t sync. Have uninstalled and reinstalled and the same thing happens. When I connect ipod to base charger it won’t work at all. If only I hadn’t updated everything was fine.What on earth can we do to overcome the problem?
November 22, 2010 at 9:06 AM
I tried all the above then plugged into BACK USB port. No issues and it worked for my iPad and new touch. I have been avoiding synching due to constant issues. Apple, love your toys but please, we need to have this work! (Windows 7)
November 25, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Do yourself a favor. Minimize itunes during sync or any communications with the ipad and it will likely be much faster.
November 25, 2010 at 7:37 PM
After updating my iPhone with the new OS (4.2.1), my calendars won’t sync. This happened after I went to 4.x the first time. What gives with this calendar-sync issue?
November 26, 2010 at 2:55 AM
UGH! So I just updated to itunes 10, upgraded my iphone and now my apps won’t sync. They are in itunes but refuse to sync…i’ve tried everything and its getting really frustrating.
It seems like loads of people are having issues with these updates and its unbelievable really that its happening. I love my iphone and this is the first issue i’ve had with it…but for such an expensive phone, this should NOT be happening.
November 26, 2010 at 5:18 AM
I have an iPhone 3Gs and an iPhone 3G. Both have been updated to ver. 4 and we have iTunes 10. Both worked great until yesterday. Now it just keeps coming up missing file and won’t sync. It even took pictures off of our phones. This sucks!!!
I have tried removing and reinstalling iTunes and have tried readying the iPhones. Still won’t sync. WHAT CAN WE DO NOW!!!!
November 28, 2010 at 6:25 AM
I am a OSX user en de solution was not so easy , first I start console.app and open system.log then I connect my iphone with my Imac and see that there is a request denied for access to file /var/db/lockdown//SystemConfiguration.plist Solution for me was chance the permission from the map in access to all . And now the ipad sync with Itunes normally . I did the chance with right mouse, info, and chance the permission.
December 7, 2010 at 5:44 PM
we just had a similar problem with one of our staff using iPhone 3GS with iTunes on Vista. He had to authorise the iPhone and then it all worked fine…
not sure if that helps but it seems you need turn off your phone. turn it back on. Log in to iTunes and then authorise your computer and it worked for us.
December 9, 2010 at 4:41 PM
This is very frustrating. A company requests turning of antivirus and disconnecting from your network, how about thousands of users seem to be having the same problem, maybe the companys product is faulty. I called Apple and they want $30 to talk to me. I’ve had it with Apple. Zune and Droid for me.
December 13, 2010 at 8:29 AM
I had the same problem on my jailbroken 3gs and thought it was because it was jailbroken, Then I recently upgraded to the iphone 4 and jailbroke that as well and had the same problem. Before I decided to call Apple I did some research and if you follow the last instruction on this page it should work for you as it did for me.
“Delete iTunes .plist. If you are using Mac OS X, delete the following file ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.itunes.plist then restart”
Hope this helps you!!!!
December 16, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Frak. iPod, Calendar, Contacts non-sync since “upgrade” to 4.2.1 on iPhone 4 and iTunes 10 (running on Vista Ultimate… I know, I know… but anymore the gap in the frustration index between MSFT and APPL is closing… Seems like there are more worms in ye olde apple these days.)
December 17, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Thanks, these two solutions worked for me!!
Will:
“Delete iTunes .plist. If you are using Mac OS X, delete the following file ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.itunes.plist , then restart”
peter:
HD/private/var/db/lockdown/SystemConfiguration.plist —Solution for me was change the permissions of the path to “read & write” . the “private” folder is invisible. iPod syncs again with iTunes . I did the change with: right mouse, info, and change the permission.
December 18, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Well obviously i’m here bc i’m having the same problem with my Ipod Touch, it was working perfectly fine before I did the 4.2 update! Then everything was erased and it wouldn’t install any apps plus 3/4 of my music had ! next to it saying something was wrong so my music wouldn’t load either. Just did a complete restore for the 3rd time (i’ve been sitting here for hours) and i’m setting it up as a new ipod now, appears to be installing apps at the moment so we’ll see. I lost all my notes and calendar though and i’m TICKED!
December 26, 2010 at 12:18 PM
itunes was unable to load provider data from sync services
- Reconect or try again later….. Have been getting this message
on iphone 4 sync all the time yet ipod sync no problem – WHATS THE
PROBLEM!!
December 27, 2010 at 6:28 AM
I have similar issues that most here have had. I have an
Iphone 3g. Was going to upgrade the operating system on the phone
but was required to downlowd Itunes 10.1. Did that and now Itunes
won’t recognized the Iphone. Instead of the standard connection
sound that you get when connection, I get a multiple beep sound.
The device never shows up under devices.
December 28, 2010 at 8:24 AM
I just got an iphone 4 yesterday and am having trouble
syncing itunes. The apps from the phone will go to my Mac, but
what’s in itunes on the computer won’t go to the phone. It says
it’s syncing, then 30 seconds later it says sync is complete, but,
not so much. My phone ipod just keeps telling me ‘no
content.’
January 2, 2011 at 12:07 PM
help got shuffle for christmas
January 2, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Same here… Having problems syncing after I updated ipod touch 4.1 to 4.2. This is crazy. So many people having the same problem after soooo long and Apple not doing anything about it. They have no shame!
January 11, 2011 at 12:10 AM
for me, my phone won’t even register as being connected. i
bought a new usb and everything for nothing..it didnt make a
difference. reinstalled itunes doesnt make a difference. this is
pathetic… dont release stupid updates if its not really an update
but an epic fail…. at least make sure the update is compatible
with all systems before you go prompting users to download it.
goddddd why the hell am i making these people rich?
January 12, 2011 at 5:26 AM
So……how do we get these issues resolved? I keep waiting for the definative answer but all I see are new complaints.
January 14, 2011 at 9:19 PM
updated to itunes 10 now when I connect ipad or iphone 4 the devices tab doesnt appear. I have tried everything apple advice suggests and I’ve run out of ideas… super annoying
January 15, 2011 at 3:17 PM
iTunes 10 won’t Sync iPhone Windows XP
I have had the shits with itunes 10 & sync with my iPhone 4 for a long time now & have tried just about everything posted.
Best advice –
1. Disconnect Ethernet cable;
2. Disable all Antivirus & Firewall;
(Using Bitdefender put it in Game Mode!!!!)
3. Reconnect iPhone & my life is finally back to normal! IT SYNC’S AND RESPONDS NORMALLY AGAIN!!!!
January 17, 2011 at 12:13 AM
totally frustrating and agree with all of the comments posted. i have just wasted 6 hours tonight reinstalling updates and playing with every imaginable option to try to get my daughters Ipod Touch and Ipad notebook to both work and sync. i was told by Apple to try this and that to no avail.this is bullcrap for truly the updates to Itunes and everything have been a pain in my a–. for all the monies i have spent on these products Apple should be providing a better product. the customer service rep i spoke to tonight i had to give him an inservice.
January 18, 2011 at 9:42 PM
3 months ago I upgraded both my son and daughter’s ipod touch to iTunes 10.1 and now both are locked-up and unuseable. I have done everything known to man to fix the problem. I even went to the Apple store and got new ipod touch units. Disabled my anti virus software and firewall, configured everything per the instructions from Apple and my CA Security software an still nothing works. This is beyond stupid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 20, 2011 at 3:45 AM
This is ridiculous – I will start telling all my friends not to buy mobile Apple devices from now on. They must be joking or taking the piss. I cant believe I bought an iPhone which doesnt effin work after iTunes 10 update. no content… did the phone reset but didnt fix it, on top of that my old apps dont work anymore and my device is now EMPTY and i cant SYNC ANYTHING. all the other fixes didnt work i didnt try the anti virus disable – i mean are they serious, i really cant allow my pc to get a virus… cheers Apple this is a total failure!!
January 24, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Try this:
you need to trash a file
- go inside the system folder- library- LaunchDaemons- and trash the file called
com.apple.usbmuxd.plist
try restarting. This usually works, occasionally you also will need to then trash iTunes after the steps above. Hope it works!
Tony
January 27, 2011 at 8:02 PM
THANK YOU!!! Searched all over for solution to “This copy of iTunes does not support iPod, iPhone, or iPad syncing.” Deleting ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.itunes.plist was the answer I found nowhere else but here. Worked like a charm!
January 31, 2011 at 7:14 PM
For all of you who are stuck with itunes and usb screen – try Blackra1n app(google->blackra1n download).Download it, ,,make it rain” and when it says “running” simply hold home button and sleep/wake button for about 12 sec to reboot iphone – worked for me:))
Btw if you get error: can`t find asl.dll simply open
c->program files->common files->apple->Apple Application Support and rightclick on Asl.dll file and browse with and select blackra1n.exe
Good luck guys it worked for me after soooo long:)
February 2, 2011 at 7:49 PM
I just updated iTunes to the latest version last night, and the new iTunes now doesn’t even recognize my iPhone. It’s a 3G, and my computer is Windows XP, and it’s only had this trouble once before when the phone was in restore mode (which was fixed after an hour). However, the phone works properly, my computer picks it up, but only iTunes now doesn’t recognize it. I’ve been through every piece of possible advice from the apple support page and many other suggestions. Uninstall, reinstall, make sure it’s started under “services and applications”, etc. Nothing works! Is there some kind of bug in the latest update? Whatever the problem is, I need help! This is really frustrating.
February 15, 2011 at 12:58 AM
I have installed latest itunes. im using windows vista, and now my iphone 3gs is not syncing with itunes, but my vista can see only my pictures like a thumb drive, what is the best to do with this? please advise APPLe!
February 28, 2011 at 7:55 PM
Thanks! Deleting the preference file worked for me.
March 31, 2011 at 1:13 AM
How do we file Class Action Law suit? Apple selling the products that don’t even work with the program, and they want to charge $30 for asking for help? This is purely scam by Apple.
March 31, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Hey guys spent all day working on this. Some sort of glitch with usb launch file .If you have 10.6 installed go here and follow the steps
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3540
Works! Hope it helps
April 12, 2011 at 6:40 PM
http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php ,You can try an older iTunes app
April 29, 2011 at 7:26 PM
this is ridiculous. I am not taking off my anti virus protection. It’s obvious that a lot of people are having problems, what are they doing about it?
May 1, 2011 at 10:33 AM
I have a Dell laptop, Windows XP, just downloaded the latest version of iTunes (10.2.2) and can’t get it to sync the newly purchased songs on to my iPod Nano (4th generation). I, too, don’t want to pay $30 to get the magic answer, nor do I want to mess around endless with my computer, turning off virus protection, etc. only to find it still doesn’t work. Apple is no better than Microsoft for selling non-functional products. I’ll probably go to the local Apple Store to try to resolve this.
May 5, 2011 at 5:24 AM
Solved the issue with Windows 7 and ITunes 10.2 with a Iphone 4 where it wouldn’t sync music, went into the firewall setting and made sure Itunes was allowed via public or home network and just disable the Trend AV software.
went to sync the Iphone and the music sync perfectly
May 5, 2011 at 7:06 PM
Had all the problems everyone posted. Just tried something different for PC users.
Open Outlook in safe mode (press CTRL key while clicking on Outlook). Let it go through the install process.
And it works
May 11, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Me again. I went to the local Apple Store and it turned out that, because I selectively transfer my music (meaning, I exclude some songs), I had to check the artist name in a second list found under the Music tab (at the top) after I selected my iPod itself (at the left sidebar) before it would transfer to the iPod (meaning, having it checked in your library isn’t enough anymore). However, this morning, after purchasing new songs, I have had the problem of the newly purchased songs showing up in the library, but not showing up in the crucial second list (iPod/Music). I will play around with it some more this evening, hoping to get it to magically appear, but I may have to make a second trip to the Apple Store to learn what the problem is now. I am not happy.