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Beau3009 Author

Level 1

12 points

Error Message - "This iPhone cannot be used because the required software is not installed."

Hi Apple Communities

I was trying to sync my iphone with my iTunes today. But the following error message came out of the blue which never happened before:

"This iPhone cannot be used because the required software is not installed. Run iTunes Installer to remove iTunes, then install 64-bit version of iTunes."

Hence, I uninstalled iTunes in my Windows Control Panel and then reinstall again the software which I downloaded from iTunes website. iTunes was installed successfully but I still have the same error message when I tried to connect my iPhone to my laptop to sync with iTunes.

I am using Windows 7 for my iTunes.

If anyone can help advise what to do will be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

iPhone 4, iOS 5.1

Posted on Apr 2, 2012 4:10 AM

Top-ranking reply

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Posted on Apr 2, 2012 2:05 PM

"This iPhone cannot be used because the required software is not installed. Run iTunes Installer to remove iTunes, then install 64-bit version of iTunes."

Let's try a standalone Apple Mobile Device Support install. It still might not install, but fingers crossed any error messages will give us a better idea of the underlying cause of why it's not installing under normal conditions.

Download and save a copy of the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe) installer file to your hard drive:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Download and install the free trial version of WinRAR:

http://www.rarlab.com/

Right-click the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe), and select "Extract to iTunesSetup" (or "Extract to iTunes64Setup"). WinRAR will expand the contents of the file into a folder called "iTunesSetup" (or "iTunes64Setup").

Go into the folder and doubleclick the AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi (or AppleMobileDeviceSupport64.msi) to do a standalone AMDS install.

(If it offers you the choice to remove or repair, choose "Remove", and if the uninstall goes through successfully, see if you can reinstall by doubleclicking the AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi again.)

Does it install (or uninstall and then reinstall) properly for you?

If instead you get an error message during the install (or uninstall), let us know what it says. (Precise text, please.)

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21 replies

nedim88

Level 1

1 points

Dec 5, 2012 2:01 PM in response to b noir

Thank you so much...5 days without iTunes till now

Jun 8, 2013 5:06 PM in response to b noir

the ''Extract to iTunes64setup'' option isn't in the menu when i right-click the file what should i do?

Nowaishy

Level 1

0 points

Dec 12, 2014 5:12 AM in response to Beau3009

Thank you very much for your support, I tried your method and worked like a charm.

Thanks again

Mar 22, 2015 9:47 PM in response to b noir

I tried your fix and it worked. Brilliant. Thankyou for your input

Oct 21, 2015 6:13 PM in response to b noir

Even in 2015 with the same exact issue on a far newer version of iTunes, this method worked. Thank you so much!

de02239

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2015 11:05 AM in response to jasncondit

perfect. stopped service, deleted folder, uninstalled then reinstalled itunes, perfecto. thank you

Error Message - "This iPhone cannot be used because the required software is not installed."