iTunes cannot sync... apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined.

Question

iTunes cannot sync... apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined.

I am trying to activate an original iPhone. I keep running into issues (partially because the rest of the world is activating 4Gs phones). I would appreciate any help that is available.

I am working on a MacBook running OSX 10.5.8. My iTunes has been updated- 10.5.

I am currently getting a message- iTunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone “MRL iphone” because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined. The iphone screen shows the usb cord/plug pointing to the itunes logo whether attached to a computer or not. And says slide for emergency use.

-I have restored to factory settings several times both from a previous backup and set up as new phone.
-I have even attempted to use another Mac and a family member's windows machine with similar results on all.
-I have uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes
-I have put the phone into the recovery mode and restored from there
-I have restarted both the computer and phone numerous times
-I have replace the SIM card with a new card from the provider
-I have received an email saying the phone was activated (and have called to verify with the service provider)

I'm sure there are other things I have tried as well that I am forgetting, as I have been at this now for about 3days. There have been times when I got nothing but a breif "accessing iTunes store" and then a white screen with the grey word iPhone in the middle. At least now I have the normal summary screen when clicking on the device. Unfortunately I am still getting an error "iTunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone “MRL iphone” because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined." I am not attempting to sync apps, just sync the phone to get a current/clean backup. I will want to sync the apps, just haven't been able to get that far.

By the way, prior to starting this process the iphone worked perfectly- no issues. This just seems to have become an issue when I attempted to restore to factory settings for a clean start with the new line.

This is the furthest I have been able to get in the process. I really need to get this up and running soon as I will need the phone for the work week.

Please help!

Posted on Oct 15, 2011 6:52 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 16, 2011 7:02 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Lots of "views" on this question.... Would really love some suggestions. Anyone have any possible fixes for this?

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2011 7:14 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I left the phone plugged into itunes overnight so as not to loose any of the progress I made. This morning when I click sync, I am getting two new messages... "itunes could not sync information to the iphone because a connestion could not be established to the iphone." AND "itunes could not back up the iphone because the backup session failed."

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Answer 3

tvjames

Level 1

5 points

Oct 16, 2011 7:44 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I had this error come up repeatedly for my iPad - both just on its own (wireless sync) and when I plugged it into the computer.

I switched it from "Back up to iCloud" back to "Back up to this computer" and pressed "Apply" and then "Sync" and it now all seems to be happy again.

As an aside, "Back up?" I'd always thought "Backup" or "Back-up." Well alrighty then.

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2011 10:00 AM in response to tvjames

I'm not sure if the iCloud backup is an option on the original iPhone. I have looked around the summary page and different menus, but do not see anything about iCloud. Would you please tell me where to look for this option?

In answer to the aside," "Back up?" I'd always thought "Backup" or "Back-up." " I would have to agree, but apparently the Apple programers didn't or didn't notice the typo. I just copied and pasted the error directly from itunes. ;-)

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Answer 5

tvjames

Level 1

5 points

Oct 16, 2011 1:06 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Sorry, was hoping mine would be similar enough to help you since yours was the only one I found searching for that error on Google.

That option is on device's "Summary" screen in iTunes. You would have had to select it yourself to opt to iCloud in the first place.

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Answer 6

Oct 24, 2011 12:57 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Have you been able to figure out this? I'm having the same problem...spent 5 hours working on it Saturday, including 2 of those hours on the phone with Apple, and so far they haven't been able to figure out why it's happened, and more importantly, how to get my phone working again.

Thanks!!

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Answer 7

Oct 27, 2011 7:27 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

You are not alone..... I am having the exact same problems with the exact same error messages and everything! Ill let you know if i figure anything else out, and will you do the same please.

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Answer 8

javapda

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2011 11:22 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Same problem here:

iTunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone “<my_iphone_name_here>” because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined.

😕

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Answer 9

Oct 31, 2011 11:22 AM in response to bigalsbarn

I had this error pop up after having synced successfully for a few weeks. For me, closing iTunes and restarting fixed the problem.

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Answer 10

javapda

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2011 11:28 AM in response to javapda

Not sure if this is a solution or not but it seemed to work for me. Simply restart your iphone. 🙂

From the iphone troubleshooting page

To restart iPhone, first turn iPhone off by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button until a red slider appears. Slide your finger across the slider and iPhone will turn off after a few moments.

Next, turn iPhone on by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

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Answer 11

javapda

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2011 11:29 AM in response to mzwaterski

thanks, that worked for me. 🙂

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Answer 12

Oct 31, 2011 2:42 PM in response to krspencer2001

I have not been able to get the phone to work yet. I have tried the restarts multiple times- both the phone and computer. I have also tried resetting the phone entirely with the restore option. Doesn't seem to want to work. I still have the same issue.

I'm open to any ideas though. Please let me know if you find something else that works for you. I'll do the same.

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Answer 13

Nov 1, 2011 12:45 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I have this problem after doing a OTA (over the air) install of a ad-hoc app.

If I delete the app, the sync works. If I install it (using the OTA link from a webpage), the sync fails ....

"itunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone named ... because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined"

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Answer 14

Nov 2, 2011 3:37 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

My original model iPhone was having problems I couldn't fix, so I restored it to factory settings, but now when I resync the back-up, I get the same message everyone else is getting.

iTunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone “<my_iphone_name_here>” because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined.

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Answer 15

rnistuk

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2011 6:55 AM in response to javapda

I had the same "iTunes cannot sync apps to the iPhone “<iPhone name>” because the apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined." and tried the restart... Now when I plug in the iPhone it doesn't show up on the iTunes app.

OK, restarting the iPhone *and* my computer got past this issue.

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