Can't open Apps in iPhone 3Gs

Try an iPhone reset, which is done by pressing and holding the home button and the sleep/wake or on/off button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo and then release - ignoring the slide to turn off prompt when doing so. A reset does not affect any data or settings.

upgrading from 3g to 3gs i lost all apps too; and new AV CAbles do not work with either 3g or 3gs iPhones on two different tv monitors...

When you first connected your 3GS to your Mac, you should have been prompted to transfer the backup for your 3G, which is created and maintained by iTunes for each iPhone as the first step during the sync process, and includes the following data.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

3rd party apps are not included with your iPhone's backup, but should be available in your iTunes library along with other iTunes content such as music, video, and podcasts, which must be transferred to a new iPhone via the iTunes sync process regardless if you select to transfer the backup from an existing iPhone to the new iPhone. No different when purchasing a new iPod to replace an existing iPod or to be used with an existing iPod.

When purchasing/downloading apps with your iPhone, the apps should be transferred to your iTunes library on your computer the first time you sync your iPhone with iTunes after doing so.

If all apps are not in your iTunes library, you can re-download the apps with iTunes on your computer and you won't be charged again for any purchased apps as long as you use the same iTunes account to re-download the apps that was used to purchase the apps originally.

I have the same problem. Right now my iPhone can't open any apps I installed myself. The factory apps come with iPhone are still functioning. This is the second time I see this problem. The first time, I uninstalled some software I recently downloaded and restarted and it worked again. This time, I tried doing the same trick. But it did not help. I think I have to reset the iPhone and reinstall every software one by one again. I am not so sure if this is 3rd party software problem that mess with the OS or the OS glitch itself. If any of Apple support see this issue please response. Are there any options to get a replacement if I just got this phone less than a month.

Allan, I tried resetting the way you suggested so many times. It doesn't help. Very frustrated.

As I read this thread I'm thinking these may be three different problems possibly with different solutions.

And I now see that the last poster piled onto a very old thread .. and that the earlier issues are probably resolved by now or the phones are likely at the bottom of a lake 🙂 Always a better idea to start a new thread in such case.

If you are having trouble running apps, are these apps you downloaded directly into the iPhone or via iTunes and then installed on the iPhone via a sync?

Phil

Message was edited by: w7ox

I finally made it work again. I don't know if this is the right thing to do. First of all, I deleted some apps I did not plan to use again (about 5-7 apps). Then, I checked the updates that are waiting to be installed in App Store. I found one app update is waiting. At this point, all third party apps are still not functioning. So, I tried updating this app and miracle does exist. It works again. Is it something wrong with the OS?

Hi Phil,

All of the apps I installed came from App Store (on the phone). I am a new iPhone owner. I don't know much about other ways to get the third party apps. Sometimes, I let the phone sits and sleeps while downloading apps. I don't know if this may be a cause of this problem. But all the apps I downloaded to the phone seems to function well after installation. I tried deleting all the latest apps I installed but it didn't help at all. I reset the phone every time before I tried checking all of the third party apps. Nothing seems to work by deleting apps. The method I used afterwards was to update the app (I installed a long time ago). It works! I don't know why but I suspect the App store process. What do you think?

I imagine the apps are working fine until you sync with iTunes and after a sync they quit working. Is that it?

Phil

Sorry about the thread. I am new here and I think I want to find out who have the same problem. I am lucky enough to see this thread unanswered. So, I give it another chance to be answered.

As I mentioned earlier, all of my apps were downloaded directly thru App Store button on the phone. I never get new apps using any other ways. I hope I answer your question. I only sync to back up my stuffs on the PC. However, if you think iTunes may screw things on my phone. I probably have to limit my sync down and charge my phone directly from the outlet and observe the symptom of this phone for a while.

Thanks for following up on this issue with me.

Chakorn

Happened to me this morning. Happened to my mate as well. And the problem is definitely when iTunes sync all the apps in the iPhone.

I solved the problem recently by deleting one apps in the phone, then re-install from the apps store (all was done via iPhone). It will prompt you whether you want to re-install for free - since it was purchased before.

After that I ran that app, then all the other apps start working again.

Still, I hope Apple can resolve this issue. Wouldn't want to do this every time my iPhone is sync to my iTunes!

I think it has to do with your settings in the iTunes program. I really can't help specifically because I download all my apps into my computer and sync them to the iPhone using iTunes .. just the opposite of what you are doing.

Connect your iPhone to the computer and run iTunes. Click on your phone under Devices. Then click on the tab in the horizontal row labeled Applications and see what you have checked to sync.

My guess is that syncing with the settings you have is removing the apps from the iPhone. Since downloading into iPhone is part of its design, there must be sync setting that will work for you.

Here's an old thread worth a look:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8805967&#8805967

and another

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9069418&#9069418

Phil

Message was edited by: w7ox

Phil and jsoetandi,

I went back and hooked up my iphone to sync again to try out. And the problem comes back. So, I am sure now that iTunes is the problem. I went to check the settings for syncing my applications and it was checked to all applications. I don't see any selections I can do in this page anyway. Seems like a very problematic setting. iTunes should change this default setting to end user like I am. I don't know why I have to come back to this setting to set my phone to avoid this crashing problem. And I don't really know how to set it to make it works. I have to avoid using iTunes from now on.

I have to go back and try to figure out how to make my phone to work again. What a bum!

Easiest is to download the apps with iTunes and sync them to the phone.

Phil

I finally found the cure. Thanks to Phil's link to the earlier thread which is dated in 2008. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9069418&#9069418.
I read and did what the last person posted the answer and it helped me reauthorizing my iTunes to get the apps from my iPhone. I hope this is the way out to fix this issue. So, from now on, my apps will be sync and works when connect to iTunes. I think there may be something wrong with my settings or something wrong with default settings from the beginning.

My last thought for this problem is if Apple knows this issue existed since 2008 why don't they find a better way to set things right at the first time. Lots of phone users are not going to be pleased with this issue. Why can't iTunes get the Apple ID from iPhone and ask on the phone instead of asking from iTunes. So, phone users doesn't have to do anything on iTunes. Probably it's still too early to wish for this.

Thanks Phil for helping.