Calendar sync error message for iPhone or iPod touch after updating to iTunes 8.1

Products Affected

iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes 8 for Mac, iTunes 8 for Windows

This article has been archived and is no longer updated by Apple.

Symptoms

After updating to iTunes 8.1, syncing iPhone or iPod touch may result in a calendar sync error being displayed:

  • "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "iPhone name" because an error occurred while merging data."
     
  • "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPhone "iPhone name" because an error occurred while sending data from the iPhone."

or

  • "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPod touch "iPod name" because an error occurred while merging data."
     
  • "iTunes could not sync calendars to the iPod touch "iPod name" because an error occurred while sending data from the iPod touch."

Resolution

Solution 1

Update to iTunes 8.1.1 or later. 

Solution 2

Selecting the option in iTunes to "Replace information on this iPhone" or "Replace information on this iPod" may also work.

  1. Select your iPhone or iPod touch under Devices in iTunes.
  2. Select the Info tab.
  3. Scroll down to the Advanced section and select the "Replace information on this iPhone" for Calendars option (or "Replace information on this iPod").
This document will be updated as more information becomes available.
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