Definition of Sync used by the iPhone

Hello,
I am having a frustrating problem "syncing" my AB contacts. Say I have my iPhone contacts exactly like my AB contacts (because I clicked on "replace contacts on the iPhone"). I then edit or delete something in an existing contact in AB (or delete a record entirely) without having touched the same contact on the iPhone, then sync again, and whatever I edited or removed is back as it was before on AB (and the iPhone of course). It is as if Sync prefers whatever is on the iPhone over the same contact on AB, even is this last one has been modified more recently.
Also, if I edit a contact on the iPhone and then Sync, then usually the sync operation aborts, with an error message that "the iPhone has disconnected" (this one I can fix only by resetting sync history on iSync).
Adding a NEW contact either of the iPhone or AB seems to sync fine.
I hope someone can tell me that I am simply doing something wrong. I truly hate to say this, but I never had these many problems syncing with Palm devices, and I used to think that they were a pain in the neck on a Mac...
Thanks,
MC

I think that iTunes and the underlying sync engine is supposed to compare two pieces of data and go with the most recent change.
I was going to ask if, at some point, you selected "Always perform this action" in the Conflict Resolver, but if you've reset the sync history and it still does that, I'm not sure what would be causing it.
Maybe this will help: First, backup your Address Book (File>Export>Address Book Backup) and make sure there's data in it by opening it. Next, uncheck the "Sync Address Book contacts" box in iTunes and hit apply. Disconnect the iPhone, then reconnect it and re-check the "Sync Address Book contacts" box.
If that fails, a Restore might be in order, and if by chance that still doesn't work, I'd say hit up an Apple Store if there's one in a reasonable radius.

Similar Messages

  • I get an error message saying itunes could not sync mail accounts. because the mail accounts are in use by the iPhone.  It asks that i close the mail accounts settings on the iPhone and sync again.  Is it requesting that i delete my email accounts?

    i get an error message saying itunes could not sync mail accounts. because the mail accounts are in use by the iPhone.  It asks that i close the mail accounts settings on the iPhone and sync again.  Is it requesting that i delete my email accounts?

    just as i've posted the same issue here   hope that someone could give us a hand. I have just swtched from nokia to iPhone for my company cell and i have more than 1000 contacts... it would be murder to create those contacts one by one )))))

  • Itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the contacts are in use by the iphone

    itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the contacts are in use by the i phone....  hi i always get this messega when i plug my phone in to the iphone is there anyone have any idea how to fix my phone thank u

    Am I'm the only one with this issue?
    As I investigate the crash logs it appears that the contacts db is corrupted and that is what is killing the phone, contacts, and mail etc settings.
    I have my contacts backed up several places so I'm not worried about losing them.
    Anyone know how to wipe or recreate the contacts db on the phone via an attached PC?
    JT

  • TS3697 I am receiving an error message(iTunes will no longer sync photos to the iPhone "Peter's iPhone". Do you want to keep or remove photos previously synced to your iPhone") I am trying to download pics from my computer to my iPhone. Any ideas? Peter

    When I went to download some pics (originally taken with my iphone 4S) from my computer back to my iPhone I got the following error message: "iTunes will no longer sync photos to the iPhone "Peter's iPhone". Do you want to keep or remove photos previosly synced to your iPhone?"
    Coincidentally, my wife just purchased an iPhone 4S and syncs to iTunes on the same computer.
    Any ideas?
    Peter

    The "best" way to handle it, if you want to keep everything separate, is to create separate user accounts on the computer. make sure you log into your account on the computer before you attempt to sync your phone and log out when you're done using the computer.
    Though it's possible to sync both of them to the same iTunes library, and even share an account for the iTunes store, you're inviting confusion and possible data loss (as you've discovered already). Best to just use separate user accounts on the computer. That also gives you the benefit of not polluting the other persons browser favorites, contacts, etc.

  • The software on iphone has expired + Itunes cannot sync apps to the iphone because the apps installed on the iphone could not be determined + Can't restore = Help!

    Hello guys, I'm begging for your help, I've read so many threads, nothing works for me. I hope you will try to help me
    First message I get when I connect the iphone is
    "The software on iphone has expired and must be updated to a newer version"
    Then it tries to backup but I get
    "Itunes cannot sync apps to the iphone because the apps installed on the iphone could not be determined"
    When I click check for updates it says I have the latest version (5.0)
    When I try to restore I always get "iTunes could not backup the iphone because a session could not be started with the iphone. Please disconnect and reconnect the iphone, then try again"
    Tried that MANY times but no luck.
    This iphone was on a developper account but it is not anymore (removed from developper account).
    I'm the administrator on my PC. When I'm on the summary of my iphone it shows N/A as my phone number.
    Back up to icloud doesn't work because I didn't set it up before it stopped working
    When I try to activate it directly from the iphone I always get "Could not activate iphone. Your iphone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarely unavailable..." (for the past 3 weeks :s)
    I can access my music and everything from itunes.
    I even tried to restore it from the ispw file (using shift + restore) but I got an error message (sorry I don't remember which one) but it didn't work.
    I also tried device manager, select PC, scan hardware for changes (read it worked for some) but not for me after that I don't get the
    "The software on iphone has expired and must be updated to a newer version" and "Itunes cannot sync apps to the iphone because the apps installed on the iphone could not be determined" ...I just get "Itunes could not back up iphone because a session could not be started with the iphone" + "itunes could not sync because a connection could not be established with the iphone"
    Please help me make it work again! I'd go to an apple store but I'm in south-east asia at the moment and there is nothing like it in 700km +
    This little machine would be perfect to travel with, it's a shame it just stopped working like 3 weeks ago, just said I needed to activate it again ...
    Thanks a million times!

    I can't access it on the iphone as I said
    On itunes in summary I have  "Software version: 5.0"
    Yes I tried to restore it
    "When I try to restore I always get "iTunes could not backup the iphone because a session could not be started with the iphone. Please disconnect and reconnect the iphone, then try again" ...did that many times but always the same error message
    "I even tried to restore it from the ispw file (using shift + restore) but I got an error message (sorry I don't remember which one) but it didn't work."

  • "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "ABC" because the iPhone disconnected"

    Hi.
    So, I have an iPhone 4 running iOS 4.3.5. I am syncing it using iTunes version 10.4.1 running on a MacBookPro running Mac OSX 10.7.1.
    When I do a sync it runs through the usual steps, including the step where it says it is syncing calendars, and each step appears to complete in the iTunes window. However, as it finishes, a warning message appears saying "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "ABC" because the iPhone disconnected". Here's a screen grab of the error message:-
    Now, the phone has not physically disconnected. I'm a bit baffled by this. It is a new iPhone 4, but inital syncs were performed without any difficulty. I have tried inserting a TEST event, to make sure that there is in fact a difficulty with the sync, and I can confirm that the error is not a phantom; syncs are not taking place. In additon, I have tried (albeit not methodically) to vary the particular calendars that are to sync, and the sync settings around old events, but to no avail.
    Any suggestions for trouble shooting this would be gratefully received.
    Thanks.

    Seems a workaround solution is here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/9159203#9159203
    This seems to solve the problem but we'll wait and see...

  • Itunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "TheButler's Phone" because the sync server failed to sync the iPhone, anyone?

    Hi
    This is the error message that I recieve when I try to sync:
    Itunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "TheButler's Phone" because the sync server failed to sync the iPhone, anyone?
    Everything has worked perfectly for over 1 year, this is an all of a sudden event.
    Thank you,
    Ron

    If using Outlook, follow the directions here:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2776

  • Itunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone because the iPhone disconnected

    Just went to sync my iphone today and got this message:
    iTunes could not sync calendars to the iphone because the iphone disconnected.
    Any ideas what the problem might be.  Had not had this happen to me before.
    Can't be iCloud because the only thing I use that for is Find My Mac.
    Restarted iTunes as well - still get the warning notice.
    Any ideas?

    I have the same issue - it just started happening.  Any suggestions out there??

  • Sync Error Message: "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone...."

    This just started today:
    "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "My Phone" because an error occured while merging data"
    Info:
    I'm running iTunes 9 and 4.0.1 on my iPhone which is a 3GS. They sync with Google Contacts. I did just install a group contact app called ABCLite (fyi, have no idea if this is related).
    I use my contacts a LOT on both the phone and the computer so I really need them to sync! Help!!!
    Jenn

    Hi,
    same here - or similar: Installed latest iOS4 and only group in my contacts comes up.
    Data do not seem to be lost (phew:-) because when I ring a number, the phone still displays who it is, so the data are there somewhere.
    Any help much appreciated.

  • ITunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because an error occurred

    When I connect my iPhone to my iMac (OSX version 10.6.6), and open iTunes and select "sync" - everything syncs (my Apps, Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, books, Photos and Calendars). However, I get an error message popping up saying: "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because an error occurred while merging data".
    I have unchecked the contacts button in iTunes and then sync works fine.
    I have deleted all my contact in my Address Book on my iMac and tried to sync. Again, same error message as above.
    I have not tried to restore the iPhone as I am worried to loose my contacts saved on my iPhone.
    Who know how to solve this problem? Thanks

    Hi Charlotte
    I had the same problem for one year now and it affected my contacts, then later my calendar.
    I followed the Apple troubleshooting guides and finally managed to make it work again.
    First try the following guide:
    iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Troubleshooting contact and calendar syncing via USB on Window
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1692
    For me I noticed that after I updated ITunes to latest version (using the full uninstall from the last point of the guide above, section "Reinstall Apple Mobile Device Support and iTunes"), I could sync with another Windows user account (on another computer actually)
    Since I wanted my own account to sync again, I then used the advanced troubleshooting guide:
    Advanced troubleshooting for Sync Services on Windows with Microsoft Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2776
    In my case the point 4 in this guide helped, but since I had no MobileMe, I just killed the OS process SyncServer.exe, then renamed the SyncServices folder to SyncServices.old and restarted the PC.
    You should try all the steps in both guides in the order mentioned, to see which one can help, I don't advise you to start directly with a step in a guide
    Good luck
    Iphone 4, iOS 4.3.3, Outlook 2007, Win 7 64Bit

  • Itunes could not sync calenders to the iphone because the sync server failed to sync the iphone. Why not??

    This is the message I get when trying to sync.
    "itunes could not sync calenders to the iphone because the sync server failed to sync with the iphone."
    WHY NOT?

    I'm having exactly the same probs with iphone and ipad, synching to Outlook.
    Both used to work fine, and now getting the same message, with conflicts in Contacts and Calendar - it's sending me round the bend.
    Did you ever get an answer from anybody - don't seem to be able to find one, even though clearly we're not alone with the problem!?
    Kay

  • ITunes could not sync ^0 to the iPhone

    I keep receiving this error, everytime I try to update my iphone to the new 2.1 update. I haven't had problems with my iphone since I upgraded iTunes.
    "iTunes could not sync ^0 to the iPhone "Zelemiah's iPhone" because an unknown error occured (-30)."
    Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
    Gateway 710 2900630
    iTunes 8.0.0.35
    QuickTime 7.5.5
    FairPlay 1.0.15
    CD Driver 2.0.7.5
    CD Driver DLL 2.1.1.1
    Apple Mobile Device 2.1.0.25
    Bonjour 1.0.5.11 (118.5)
    iTunes Serial Number 001C46EB3D1100F9
    Current user is an administrator.
    The current local date and time is 2008-09-24 12:26:57.
    iTunes is not running in safe mode.
    Video Display Information
    RADEON 9600 SERIES
    RADEON 9600 SERIES - Secondary
    ** External Plug-ins Information **
    No external plug-ins installed.
    ** Network Connectivity Tests **
    Network Adapter Information
    Adapter Name: {3B3E6E5B-CA58-42E3-BAA5-E054AAFAB0AA}
    Description: Intel(R) PRO/1000 CT Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
    IP Address: 69.246.6.216
    Subnet Mask: 255.255.248.0
    Default Gateway: 69.246.0.1
    DHCP Enabled: Yes
    DHCP Server: 68.87.77.13
    Lease Obtained: Wed Sep 24 11:29:57 2008
    Lease Expires: Sat Sep 27 20:22:57 2008
    DNS Servers: 68.87.77.130
    68.87.77.130
    68.87.72.130
    68.87.75.194
    Active Connection: LAN Connection
    Connected: Yes
    Online: Yes
    Using Modem: No
    Using LAN: Yes
    Using Proxy: No
    SSL 3.0 Support: Enabled
    TLS 1.0 Support: Enabled
    Firewall Information
    Windows Firewall is on.
    iTunes is enabled in Windows Firewall.
    Connection attempt to Apple web site was successful.
    Connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
    Secure connection attempt to iTunes Store was successful.
    Secure connection attempt to iPhone activation server was successful.
    Last successful store access was 2008-09-24 11:36:50.
    ** CD/DVD Drive Tests **
    LowerFilters: dvd43llh (3.5.0.0), pfc (2.5.0.204),
    UpperFilters: GEARAspiWDM (2.0.7.5),
    M: DX3197O ZRH384K, Rev 1.0
    Drive is empty.
    ** iPod/iPhone Connectivity Tests **
    iPodService 8.0.0.35 is currently running.
    iTunesHelper 8.0.0.35 is currently running.
    Apple Mobile Device service 2.10.31.0 is currently running.
    Universal Serial Bus Controllers:
    Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2. Device is working properly.
    Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4. Device is working properly.
    Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7. Device is working properly.
    Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24DD. Device is working properly.
    Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE. Device is working properly.
    FireWire (IEEE 1394) Host Controllers:
    OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller. Device is working properly.
    Connected Device Information:
    Zelemiah's iPhone, iPhone running firmware version 2.0.2
    Serial Number: 87809WZE0KH
    Most Recent Device Not Currently Connected:
    iPod nano (3rd Generation) running firmware version 1.0.3
    Serial Number: 70744268Y0P
    ** iPhone/iPod Touch Sync Tests **
    Sync tests completed successfully.

    Zelemiah,
    I had the same frustrating problem and found that the way it worked for me was to SYNC the Phone in iTunes first with the SYNC Button on the bottom right of the Summary page at the end of the coloured Data used bar and then do the Version Update it worked first time for me and it appears that the 2.1 Update will not take unless the iPhone is synched with iTunes first as there may be too many differences which is why it keeps bombing...Hope it Works. [email protected]

  • ITunes could not sync bookmarks to the iPhone...

    I've been running into this problem when trying to sync my iPhone 4 to iTunes for a while now. I was hoping that the latest iOS update would have fixed it, but it seems like it didn't.
    I get this error every time I try to sync:
    iTunes could not sync bookmarks to the iPhone "Crake" because the bookmarks are in use by the iPhone.
    Close the bookmarks settings on the iPhone, then sync again.
    I'm running Mac OS X 10.6.7, iTunes 10.2.2 and iOS 4.3.3.
    I have already restored my iPhone, replaced the bookmarks and closed all applications before syncing; nothing seems to work.
    Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a solution?
    Thanks!

    Just spent an hour with Applecare support.. I had been getting a message when I tried to look at Bookmarks on the iPhone "Bookmarks are being synced. Please add the bookmark once syncing has completed" - this has been the message for 10 days now on the iPhone whenever I try to create a bookmark or look at Bookmarks list.  Applecare advised resetting the Bookmarks in iTunes by manual setting but as I was talking on theiPhone I had to finish the call to do the sync.. Then I got the message in iTunes as above that the bookmarks are in use..
    Need to retain Mobileme cos I don't want to lose KEYCHAIN syncing yet until I have worked out waht to do with the service not being available on iCloud.
    I thought maybe the update of the phone to iOS5 would clear up this Safari Bookmark error but it was like safari had remained running throughout the update to iOS5 process - it looked exactly the same..
    So frustrating .. and yet the iPad is working perfectly on iOS 5 - it and two computers are all in sync on all Mobileme items..  Just iPhone Bookmarks is out.

  • ITunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone...the iPhone canceled the sync

    My phone refuses to sync ANY contacts. When iTunesis performing the Sync process, it ends stating that "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "MyPhone" because the iPhone canceled the sync."
    This happened originally when I was running OS 3.0. As a fix, I upgraded iTunes and then my iPhone to the latest versions - v9.0.1.8 and v3.1.2 respectively.
    I just finished doing a "reset all content and settings" and still no dice. Unfortunately, this won't allow me to sync until after I restore a backup, so I'm sure I'm bringing corrupt data back into the phone.
    I tried changing my contacts to sync to my Windows Address Book, instead of the GMail that I use. No luck.
    HOW can I simply ERASE the contact database on my iPhone so I can get it to sync again?

    ...and an update.
    I tried manually adding some contacts to the phone and they just don't save. The contact list stays empty.

  • Could not sync calendars to the "  " iPhone because an error occurred...

    This error message pops up every time I attempt to sync iCal with the iPhone using the "merge" option. Replacing the calendar works but wipes out the calendar entries that are synced from my work Outlook calendar.
    Now the "merge" function seems to work fine on my work PC but NO GO on the mighty Mac.
    Yes all the software has been updated.
    Need suggestions please.

    Before I started to resync calendars one by one as suggested in the troubleshooting article, I remembered something that came up in a sync when I first attempted :  a 'which one do you want to keep' message about a repeating calendar event, which came up with three options, one from Calendar, and two from iCal on the phone.  I deleted that event, then went through the calendar resync one by one, and all seems OK now.
    In Music there is a way to find 'ghost' items that show up as grayed-out on the menus, so that you can try to reassociate or delete them.  It would be nice to have a similar way to work with Calendar!
    Thanks for pointing me to the right article.

Maybe you are looking for