ITunes cannot read the contents of iPhone. It's telling me I have to restore to factory settings

Why am I getting this message when trying to sync to iTunes? iTunes cannot read the contents of iPhone. It's telling me I have to restore to factory settings. Say it ain't so! help!

I don't want to restore, since I will lose my voice memos which are not yet backed up.

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ITunes cannot read the contents of iphone "Teresa Pearcy". Help?

Everytime I plug in my phone to charge, this is what pops up. "
ITunes cannot read the contents of the iphone "Teresa Pearcy". Go to the Summary Tab in iphone preferences and click Restore to restore this iphone to factory settings."
It also says if I do this then I will lose everything that's been put into my phone.
I've even tried everyway I know to get around iTunes just to get a new ring tone downloaded. I can't get any of my music... I don't want to lose what I have on my phone already by restoring it to factory settings.
It will transfer photos from iphone to computer. But nothing else.
I've been struggling with this since I got the phone. Can anyone help me out with this?? Please? It's been very frustrating. Thank you.

Hi,
I've the same problem too.
I had made iPhone sync on my PC in the past. But my HDD went in trouble and I had to buy another and reinstall Windows, so I lost my iTunes library.
Having no sync was ok, since I was comfortable with the photos, applications and music in my iPhone.
But yesterday my iPhone went out of disk space, and my problem started. I then needed to sync. I tried to extract my paid applications from iPhone using "transfer purchases from my iPhone". Unsuccessful, since it did not copy every application. I've tried to download the applications again, but iTunes say I need to pay for them. And now, after some unsuccessful purchase transfers and backups, iTunes says "iTunes cannot read the contents of iPhone", so I think I'm forced to restore the original settings.
What should I do?
I don't want to pay again for the applications I already purchased.
I don't want to loose my application data.
I don't care about my music, photos and videos, cause I can get them elsewhere anyway.
Is there a way to save my iPhone, applications and data?
Thanks

ITunes cannot read the contents of iPhone/iPod Touch?

After following these instructions to update iTunes https://discussions.apple.com/message/21853130#21853130 , Whenever i connect my iPod Touch 5th gen i get this message:
iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPod “(my ipod name)”. Go to the Summary tab in iPod preferences and click Restore to restore this iPod to factory settings.
i click ok then iTunes says:
The software required for communicating with the iPod is not installed correctly, and you must manually eject the iPod before each disconnect. Please reinstall iTunes to install the iPod’s software.
I am NOT restoring my iPod as i know this is iTunes' problem. I went to the apple website and downloaded iTunes for mac and then installed it Installer said it was succuesful but after opening itunes i get the same problem. What do i do?
I WILL NOT DO ANYTHING IN TERMINAL. I never touch terminal and never will.

Hi,
I've the same problem too.
I had made iPhone sync on my PC in the past. But my HDD went in trouble and I had to buy another and reinstall Windows, so I lost my iTunes library.
Having no sync was ok, since I was comfortable with the photos, applications and music in my iPhone.
But yesterday my iPhone went out of disk space, and my problem started. I then needed to sync. I tried to extract my paid applications from iPhone using "transfer purchases from my iPhone". Unsuccessful, since it did not copy every application. I've tried to download the applications again, but iTunes say I need to pay for them. And now, after some unsuccessful purchase transfers and backups, iTunes says "iTunes cannot read the contents of iPhone", so I think I'm forced to restore the original settings.
What should I do?
I don't want to pay again for the applications I already purchased.
I don't want to loose my application data.
I don't care about my music, photos and videos, cause I can get them elsewhere anyway.
Is there a way to save my iPhone, applications and data?
Thanks

Itunes cannot read the contents of Iphone after updating to 2.1

Hi!
I have the original Iphone and I decided tonight to upgrade to the 2.1. At the end of the process, when it was restoring my iphone contents (pics, contacts etc.), an error came up "ITunes cannot read the contents of the Iphone" and it is telling me to restore to factory settings? My phone now is updated with all the new stuff but in Itunes it is not reading my Iphone. I am trying to make a ringtone from Itunes and I can't do it because of this problem.
Please help!

Hi,
I've the same problem too.
I had made iPhone sync on my PC in the past. But my HDD went in trouble and I had to buy another and reinstall Windows, so I lost my iTunes library.
Having no sync was ok, since I was comfortable with the photos, applications and music in my iPhone.
But yesterday my iPhone went out of disk space, and my problem started. I then needed to sync. I tried to extract my paid applications from iPhone using "transfer purchases from my iPhone". Unsuccessful, since it did not copy every application. I've tried to download the applications again, but iTunes say I need to pay for them. And now, after some unsuccessful purchase transfers and backups, iTunes says "iTunes cannot read the contents of iPhone", so I think I'm forced to restore the original settings.
What should I do?
I don't want to pay again for the applications I already purchased.
I don't want to loose my application data.
I don't care about my music, photos and videos, cause I can get them elsewhere anyway.
Is there a way to save my iPhone, applications and data?
Thanks

Itunes cannot read the contents of Iphone

So my iphone is water damaged, and it used to be able to connect with itunes perfectly ect. But I don't know what happened it suddeny stopped and it says Itunes can't read the contents of my phone. So I really need itunes to be able to read the contents so I can restore the back up.
Help? Thanks.

If it's water damaged then your iPhone is tossed

When I plug my iPhone into my computer to sync my iTunes I get a message that says "iTunes cannot read the content of the iPhone" and wants me to restore my phone back to factory settings. Any suggestions so that I don't have to restore?

When I plug my iPhone into my computer to sync my iTunes I get a message that says "iTunes cannot read the content of the iPhone" and wants me to restore my phone back to factory settings. Any suggestions so that I don't have to restore? I have all of my stuff backed up on iCloud but I really don't want to go through the hassle of wiping it clean and putting everything back on.

This is a post from a user named edgar999 and it worked PERFECTLY:
"OK - this is how it works:
In order to backup from iCloud you cannot use iTunes!
Therefore disconnect your device from your computer.
Turn on your device and go to Settings and then go to General.
At the bottom of this submenu there is a buttom "Reset"
If you push that buttom you see 6 different Erase settings to chose from!
Chose "Erase All Content and Settings" because this will wipe everything from your device and will let you restore from iCloud! (I tried the top "Reset All Settings" but that did not let me use iClouds afterwards!)
Once you pushed that buttom your device will be wiped clean and after some time you will see the Device Welcome Screen like on a new device!
After choosing your location you will be asked to setup your WiFi-conection. After you joint to your Wifi you will be given the choice to restore the iPad from a backup from the iCloud. Choosing this backup will prompt you with your apple ID and password.
Restoring from a backup can take some time. The process uses your Wi-Fi connection to download settings, content and data. If you had a lot of content on your device, this can take a while. The restore screen should give you estimates at each stage of the restore process, starting with restoring the settings and then booting into the iPad. When the iPad home screen appears, the device will continue the restore process by downloading all of your applications.
If you are restoring from a backup because you have run into problems with your device that can only be solved by restoring it, you can first choose your latest backup. If you still have problems, you can move on to the next latest backup, repeating the process until (hopefully) the problem is cleared."
THANK YOU edgar999!!!!

ITune cannot read the contents of the iPhone.

Ok, this is quite annoying,
All I want is to get a few music files from my PC to my iPhone, I downloaded iTune, installed it, and now I am getting this message:
iTune cannot read the contents of the iphone "<phone name>". Goto to the summary tab in iphone preferences and click restore to restore this iphone to factory settings.
Funny, cause my iPhone is listed there on the devices, but it doesn't have any tabs available for me to sync.
what am I missing ?
Yossi

Hi Paul, I just starting getting this same message last night. Can you please tell me how you reformatted the memory card because I am ready to pull my hair out! Any help would be appreciated!!

Itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone

Problem: iPhone cannot synch with iTunes b/c of the error: "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone "iPhone". Go to the summary tab in iPhone preferences and click Restore to restore this iPhone to factory settings". I have reset the iPhone all possible ways, rebooted, uninstalled/installed iTunes, have double clicked to change name, doesn't synch. I need to get my music and photos back on my device, but I cannot seems to do so. After clicking restore, it blows the device away, then I still get the error. Help?

I'm have the same problem... just updated to iOS4 on my 3G. Everything synced fine after a few problems with the backup process. The only data that was not transferred was my music to iPod. When I hooked back up to download the music I received the "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone" I have not restored back to the factory settings. Any suggestions... I don't want to lose the data on the phone.

Itunes cannot read the contents of my iphone 5?

When I try to sync my iphone to itunes, it says that "Itunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone "Name's iPhone". Go to the Summary tab in iPhone preferences and click Restore to restore this iPhone to factory settings." However, I have music that was orginally put on from CD's and do not want to lose this music. Does anyone else have this problem or have the solution? Thanks

Music on the iPhone comes from the iTunes library. If you restore the phone, it does not affect the iTunes library, just the iPhone itself.

ITunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone/iPad -restore to factory set

I've had this issue with my iPhone for almost a year now , every time I connect my device to my laptop I get this error : iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone/iPad . Go to summary tab in your device and restore to factory settings ! And after I do so , iTunes tries to synch my device and after a few minutes i get this error that theres been a problem with synching and the same story again , restore to factory settings ....
I thought well there is something wrong with my iphone and I was too lazy to get it checked out but yesterday i bought my new iPad 16GB 3G/WiFi and guess what ... Same error !
I've tried different cables and computers changing my OS , reinstalling iTunes and so far nothing ...
I'd appreciate if someone can help me with this

Dwchico,
Hopefully I can help you. I had the very same problem from the get-go. Apparently, many others in the forums have as well. The problem appears to be something with the way certain motherboards mount USB devices. In particular, Asus motherboards have difficulty mounting iPad. If you are using an Asus based system, most have updated BIOS's that address the issue. I updated my BIOS today for my Asus G51J laptop and the problem disappeared completely. If you have an iPhone, you probably weren't having any problems, right? iPhone does not appear affected by this problem.
Best Regards,
Gameshow

Getting an error message "itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone" ever since I used Sharepod. Do I need to restore back to factory settings?

Getting an error message "itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone" ever since I used Sharepod. Do I need to restore back to factory s

Did you every get a fix on this?
Thanks

Message displays itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone when connected on a laptop. Doesnt let me back up and sync and asks for restoring to factory defaults??!!

message displays itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone when connected on a laptop. Doesnt let me back up and sync and asks for restoring to factory defaults??!!

Hello ardninam,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
If the content on your iPhone cannot be read by iTunes, then you will need to follow the directions in the popup and restore your iPhone to the factory settings. You can then try and restore from a previous backup.
Use iTunes to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
Restore your device from an iCloud or iTunes backup - Apple Support
Take care,
Alex H.

Itunes cannot read the contents of the iphone fix

Everytime i try to sync my iPhone to my computer, it says "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iphone, myiPhone, Restore to factory settings."
1. I tried restoring to factory settings.
2. My iPhone is not jailbroken.
3. I have comletely reinstalled iTunes.
Please help me... I dont know what to do..

Probably not.
The basics form the manual are restart, reset, restore.
Try all of these.

ITunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone (repetitive)

I've been syncing my iPhone 4 on my computer without issue since launch.
Yesterday I plug it in an get:
"iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone"
The only option is to restore. After trying a number of things, different USB ports, removing other USB devices, restarting the PC and Phone I finally give up and restore the phone. A pain since I loose all my folders and page layouts, not to mention the time to sync all the music and apps over, but fine, it's back up and running and everything syncs.
Then I plug it in again today and the same error:
"iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone"
Only recent change to my system between iTunes working and iTunes suddenly failing to read my phone is updating iTunes to 10.0.1.22.
Any ideas, I'm not excited about the idea of having to restore my phone every time I need to sync with the PC.

I'm having the exact same issues. It all started shortly after iTunes 10.2.1 was released. Since I could not get it to work at all I even sent my phone to be repaired and got a replacement device.
I restored it from a backup and at first everything worked again but after a few days I started getting the same problems again.
To shorten the story: I am now using iTunes 10.2 and iOS 4.3.1, I have even deleted all my backups and reconfigured my iPhone entirely after a reset in the process and still gotten the error message after a few syncs. I have tried deactivating my USB controller and it worked yesterday, today it doesn't.
The strange thing is that it has been working perfectly for 4 months before all that. I've read in some forums now that this problem can be fixed easily on a jailbroken phone by deleting some iTunes library file on the phone but I don't want to lose my warranty and therefore this is not an option.
If it's so easy to fix, why doesn't Apple provide an easy solution?

ITunes cannot read the contents of the iphone 5

iTunes shows this error when i connect my iPhone 5 - "iTunes cannot read the contents of the iPhone. Go to the summary tab in iPhone preferences and click restore to restore this iPhone to factory settings"

maybe it's because Apple closed firmware 7.1.2,you have to update your iphone to ios 8

ITunes cannot read the contents of iPhone. It's telling me I have to restore to factory settings

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