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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

Sep 20, 2012 5:23 AM in response to javapda

javapda wrote:

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

Worked for me - thanks 🙂

(iphone 4, OS 6)

iPraj

Level 1

3 points

Sep 21, 2012 12:13 AM in response to javapda

same problem

smb66

Level 1

4 points

Sep 23, 2012 12:27 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

4s IOS6 - can't sync my apps. No error messages but sync page is greyed out, so I can't select or deselect. I have restarted phone and iTunes to no avail.

Sep 27, 2012 6:25 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I was getting the same error after I upgradede to iPhone iOS 6.0. "apps installed on the iPhone could not be determined."

All I did was to unplug the phone. Close iTunes and open it again. Restarted the Sync and it was all fine.

smb66

Level 1

4 points

Sep 27, 2012 3:43 PM in response to smb66

I found that the updates to both my iPad and iPhone changed all my settings and my issues are now resolved. Thanks.

mcclure1

Level 1

7 points

Oct 2, 2012 8:50 AM in response to alexfrompittsburgh

Alex do you have instructions on how to do this when using Windows XP? I would greatly appreciate any help. THANKS!!😀

Oct 3, 2012 3:37 AM in response to mcclure1

Hi mcclure1,

Unfortunately I have never had this problem happen on windows, but I'm pretty sure we can figure out the reason. Just shoot me an email at alex.taffe@gmail.com and we can work out a solution that I can post here.

Brett F.

Level 1

5 points

Oct 4, 2012 4:21 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

I discovered (after reinstalling itunes) and rebooting my iphone that in the iphone settings, the default to sync via wifi had somehow been turned OFF. It had always been on before, with my old iphone. I turned this on, checked that I had a wifi connection and suddenly my apps started actually syncing again (while I was plugged into my mac and itunes was running).

I don't know if this was it, but perhaps its something for you to check on yours.

Nealf

Level 1

79 points

Oct 8, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

This worked for me: I unplugged the phone. Rebooted my Mac. Restarted the iPhone. When I restarted iTunes and plugged my phone in, everything worked again.

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.

dann-o

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2012 7:25 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

This worked for me. Once your phone is connected to your computer, in iTunes, highlight your phone, then click on "file" at the top, choose "transfer purchases from "____'s iPhone." Once the apps have been transfered there shouldn't be a problem syncing your device.

broen

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2012 11:21 AM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

alexfrompittsburgh: Your solution worked for me. Thank you.

Oct 9, 2012 2:49 PM in response to alexfrompittsburgh

Hi Alex,

Your solution also worked for me. 15 years old and sorting these things out. Show respect, but take flack from no one!

PRC

Level 1

83 points

Oct 9, 2012 3:35 PM in response to Chaoscrdntr13

All of a sudden, I have same problem. NEVER seen that before.

So, I tried switching back and forth between "Backup to iCloud" and "Backup to this computer"

and that didn't help.

So, I did a reset holding HOME button and POWER button.

Seems to be working fine now. So far . . .

Patrick

Oct 16, 2012 10:07 AM in response to alexfrompittsburgh

I was getting this same message on my iPhone 4. All I did was restart my iPhone, quit iTunes and tried again. It succsessfully sycned. Maybe this is one of those issues that just needs a restart?

Oct 19, 2012 5:30 PM in response to jp_ofarrell

I have always updated my apps on the phone, but never on my Mac and itunes account. So when I keep seeing cannot sync because of the apps on phone, I did not understand. I went to the apps in itunes and saw that I had 78 apps that needed updated. That solved the worrisome problem. YEAH!

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