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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

240 replies

lsg1649

Level 1

0 points

Oct 14, 2013 6:31 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Ihave an iPod Touch 3rd gen. I went to info on iTunes and unchecked everything. To sync the calendar I only checked calendar and under advanced tab I checked calendars. Then clcik apply. Then I clicked sync. Then it went through the syncing process. I've not yet verified this works for every category.

Balukia

Level 1

4 points

Nov 2, 2013 9:28 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I have a problem with my itunes too. I cannot transfer apps from the itunes to my iphone 4s. Any time I try to snyc itunes tells me "The iphone could not be synced because this computer is no longer authorized for purchased items that are on this iphone. But I keep authorzing it but the same problem over and over again... Please someone help

Nov 11, 2013 6:29 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I had the same issue with iTunes not synching anything because of the above error.

After turning phone off, restarting PC and so forth I found that because my phone would "auto lock" it was preventing iTunes from completing the synchronisation.

So, I sync'd my phone via iTunes and then just sat using it whilst the sync completed... No errors appeared and it was okay.

Therefore if you're having this problem - don't let you phone go into lock mode and see if works fo ryou too!

Nov 22, 2013 4:25 PM in response to Jennuhhfurrx

This also seemed to work for me, I also restarted my iPhone. Thanks for the tip, though. Now it has happened about 4 times since the update, but it has been buggy since the update to iOS7. Not a lot, but still irritating.

Zatixo

Level 1

8 points

Nov 29, 2013 1:44 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I'm not surprise that I have this problem today, and that's a 2 years old bug.

Even the crappier androphone that you can find don't have tons of sync bug existing for years !!!

You should be ashamed. You should be so ashamed that 150 billions should not make you happy but you should be so ashemed that the 150 billions can't make you stop crying.

PS Don't forget that if you ignore people and bugs, people could also ignore you and your products.

Dec 7, 2013 11:43 AM in response to dann-o

dann- Thanks! Your solution worked for me. Once I chose "transfer purchases from "____'s iPhone, I received an alert listing a group of apps that could not be synced. I deleted a few of the apps (The Bible, The Washington Post, Target, and Yelp ... just to name a few), and then the sync worked. Whoo-hoo! I was at this for hours! Good luck guys.

Jan 2, 2014 1:53 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

What worked for me was I went to the app store, updated all my apps, then restarted my iphone (5s) while it was still connected to the computer. Once I pressed the sync button again IT WORKED 🙂

Jan 16, 2014 5:30 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Sign into your Apple ID on the device. That seemed to do it for me. I was syncing through iTunes, not directly downloading to the device. Once I signed in, it started to sync.

Jan 29, 2014 1:50 PM in response to yellowflwrz

Great. Thanks people. I went to the App Store app and selected all apps in the Update tab. I then clicked on Transfer Purchases on the computer and when it had transferred all the purchases from the phone to the computer I then clicked synced and it all worked fine.

kriss13

Level 1

4 points

Mar 1, 2014 8:00 AM in response to IAmStaka

your solution is cr@p too 🙂

coz it doesnt work either.

EanBeag

Level 1

0 points

Mar 14, 2014 8:34 AM in response to hardhit99

I tried a different cable after multiple failures to complete the sync & "Lo & behold!" it worked seamlessly. Many thanks.

PaleoJay

Level 1

4 points

Apr 3, 2014 4:10 PM in response to slocks

Thanks! This worked for me- only 2 starts, and I was golden- Thanks!!

ruudk80

Level 1

0 points

Jul 23, 2014 1:37 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I've just had a similar issue with my iPhone 5S. Updating all apps in iTunes before starting the sync did the job.

Trumper

Level 1

0 points

Aug 5, 2014 7:13 PM in response to ruudk80

I tried lots of the suggestions here, but none worked for me until I tried:

1) Connect iPhone with cable to computer.

2) Select iPhone on left menu.

3) Select "Apps" across the top menu.

4) Search box at top of the list on left for the app name that wasn't sync'ing.

5) When the app showed up from the search, click "Install"

I have no idea why it wouldn't sync otherwise until I did this...but it worked for me.

Hope that helps.

aNsoN619

Level 1

0 points

Oct 2, 2014 7:17 PM in response to Bushers

Hi guys,

im having the same issue as well since after i updated my 4s to ios 8. My lappie's itunes shows error when i try to sync apps from itunes. It pop up error which quite ridiculous, it said my itunes is not authorised, well actually it's been authorised by my apple id since the day i use iphone.

anyone have any solution on this? Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

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