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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

Mar 14, 2012 4:45 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I think I found it!!!!! (At least this was an EASY Fix for me!!!) I had my Sync cable plugged into a USB Hub and got this error. When I plugged directly into PC... Instant Sync with no issues.... Give it a try!!!!🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

Mar 26, 2012 12:38 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

My iphone is 3GS.. i had the same problem with the error masagge sayin "itunes cannot sync apps to the iphone ... because the apps could not be determined"

i tried everything, quitting itunes, shutting down my iphone but they didn't work. all my apps are up to date etc.

I found solution by first -transferring purchases from "... iphone"- and afterwards sync was successful. it can work for the ones having the same problem.

PJWSTL

Level 1

17 points

Apr 1, 2012 8:22 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

After restoring an iPod touch I had a similar problem. The problem was the date on my laptop was off once corrected everything worked fine.

Andy111

Level 1

0 points

Apr 9, 2012 9:53 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Just happened to my iPod 2G syncing with latest iTunes (10.6.1) on Mac running 10.5.8.

Quit iTunes, unplug sync cord, plug in again, and restart iTunes. The sync was successful without any further problems.

camira2

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2012 4:45 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Make sure that in Settings->General->Restrictions that you don't have Installing Apps or Deleting Apps turned off (i.e. make sure they are not restricted).

Apr 30, 2012 3:05 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Restarting Itunes worked for me as well

MrksWill

Level 1

0 points

May 7, 2012 9:29 AM in response to hardhit99

This worked for me. I had tried almost everything. read this, changed out the cord from my iphone 4, to Macbook, and it worked like a charm Go figure.....

May 28, 2012 1:35 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Guys try this out.. Even I was facing issues with apps sync to itunes...

I installed all my apps through my phone usin App Store.. This is the problem.. First app installation should be through itunes.. hope it works...

1. connect ur iphone to the pc.itunes will popup.

2. In itunes select Apps under library..

User uploaded file

3. now click the apps tab then run a search fro an apps in the search tab(eg: easy group)

User uploaded file

4. download it

5. then go to my devices.click the apps tab. here you would find the downladed easy group apps.

6. Install it.. then the apps wud get synchronized, Automatically other apps in ur phone wud be synchronized.

May 28, 2012 1:38 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Guys try this out.. Even I was facing issues with apps sync to itunes...

I installed all my apps through my phone usin App Store.. This is the problem.. First app installation should be through itunes.. hope it works...

1. connect ur iphone to the pc.itunes will popup.

2. In itunes select Apps under library..

3. now click the apps tab then run a search fro an apps in the search tab(eg: easy group)

4. download it

5. then go to my devices.click the apps tab. here you would find the downladed easy group apps.

6. Install it.. then the apps wud get synchronized, Automatically other apps in ur phone wud be synchronized.

Jun 19, 2012 2:44 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I tried all the fixes, taking out my sim, force quiting itunes, turning my phone off and on, I even tried updating all my apps in the store it didnt fix my problem.

I found out it was my live - active spyware software - it was blocking the outgoing ip address to sync

I just added the ip address to ignore and it worked 🙂

Jun 27, 2012 1:30 PM in response to mzwaterski

Relaunching iTunes solved this issue for me.

oli loli

Level 1

9 points

Jul 1, 2012 3:24 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I am just very surprised that after one year of the same message, poping in so many computers screens, Apple didn't set an official walk through to solve this issue.

or even debug it.

I think it is related to the each updates of the iTunes app in computers.

Bushers

Level 1

0 points

Jul 7, 2012 4:32 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

Hi Chaoscrdntr13.

While I have no solution at the time (I am going into the Genius Bar later today and will repost with the outcome), I can tell you something you may find interesting, and I hope will stop others from going through certain steps I undertook.

In my experience, it's not the iphone (4s iso 5.1.1) or itunes (10.6.3).

I started to experience the issue on July 4th 2012 and after trying restores, restarts, shutdowns, all possible combinations of updates, reinstalls/renames on both the iphone and on the mac book pro (mid 2010, Lion 10.7.4) I was having no joy.

I went to the apple store and they swapped out the iphone and we tried syncing from the new stock device, same issue, therfore it cannot be the iphone. for those researching the issue, Do not erase your iphone as part of a potential fix.

My girlfriends brother ( A full time mac support engineer, who knows his apples (no pun intended)) renamed all the itunes folders and preference files along with deleting local related itune config files so we could have a totally clean install, no apps (saved off locally prior) not an app in sight, nada. With the iphone also now erased to factory default, the message still pops up.

I will let you know how i get on.

Bushers

Level 1

0 points

Jul 7, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Bushers

So I spent a good five hours at the Genius bar today and it was a problem that the Genius had not been seen before.

There is no fix that could be applied but there is a solution and one I am forced to take. Make a new profile as the issue is not with the iPhone or iTunes but a problem in the library and cannot be identified.

So my weekend is trashed applying the solution.

My sympathy to all with this issue, lets hope Apple acknowledge this issue and provide a fix as it's been out there for some time.

Bushers

Level 1

0 points

Jul 7, 2012 5:06 PM in response to Bushers

Scrap that, the error is now on the new user account.

I'm going to enjoy my weekend and back away from the keyboard.

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