Service ‘Apple Mobile Device’ (Apple Mobile Device) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.

Finch is the reason why people think Apple fans are pompous. The message couldn't be clearer, as he put it. As far as the problem goes, you're not alone and the consensus is that it's a Apple software problem, not a your-computer problem. Not surprising considering Apple's track record with Windows computers.

There's one possible solution at appleask.com : http://www.appleask.net/260817-ipod-touch-itunes-9-2-apple-mobile.html but it involves screwing around with the registry. If you dont know what the registry is, it's the master index for the computer that basically tells the computer to handle most everything. Messing with it is unwise unless you're confident you can complete ALL the steps EXACTLY as assigned. At the very least backup the registry which you can do easily. Windows computers, type REGEDIT into the START MENU, then select FILE > EXPORT and name the exporting registry back whatever you want.

Me? I'm going to uninstall Apple, cause frankly the largest computer company in the world (Apple) should be able to make their new version of their program work on a computer running the operating system of the other largest computer company in the world (Microsoft).

Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start Apple Mobile Device Service. The message couldn't be clearer. This usually means that the Windows login name that you used to install iTunes had Administrator privileges. It's also possible that your antivirus or firewall is trying to protect you by not allowing the service to start. You will have to consult the instructions for your security software to find out how to fix this if it is the problem.

See also: How to restart Apple Mobile Device Service

Thank you ak_edm. The link you provided didn't pertain exactly to my situation, but it allowed me to figure it out without touching the registry.

For those of you with XP who may be having this issue, download and install 7-zip, winrar, or something similar. Right click on the iTunes.msi file and extract the archive using the zip program (i used 7-zip). Once extracted, do the same to the AppleMovileDeviceSupport.msi file. Open the archive and right click and install both the netaapl.inf and usbaapl.inf files. Then start the Apple Mobile Device Service (Start>Run>Services.msc). I was able to make this work on a locked down computer at work. I still can't see the phone in my drive listing but that's a different issue. Hope this helps, or at least gets you closer to an answer.

First close down itunes, find itunes on your desktop right click and run as administrator, then disconnect your 3GS and then open itunes and re-connect your iPhone and it should recognise it, because i have a 3GS and this worked for me.

OK I'VE GOT IT!!!! with the help of reading through the previous posts above.

heres what i did:

1. run the add/remove program (control panel).

2. uninstall ALL Apple programs (itunes says to start with itunes, then quick time, bonjour and then finally AMDS (apple mobile device support). you might have to close the add/remove program and open it again so that AMDS will not appear on the list.

3. RESTART/REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER!!!

4. go to itunes.com, download the newest version, save it to your desktop, RIGHT CLICK the icon and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR.

5. when itunes is done being installed, **DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT** click finish just yet.

6. plug in your device (iphone, ipod) to the USB cord, you'll see a window pop up in the lower right hand corner...that is your computer searching and installing the device driver.

7. after the driver is installed you can click FINISH on the itunes installer.

Thanks TroyActorPA, I had the same "service apple mobile device failed to start" problem on my older Windows XP laptop and your solution worked for me, but I had to tweak it a bit for my computer: Right click on the iTunes.msi file and extract the archive using the zip program (i also used 7-zip). Once extracted, double click the AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi file. This will install the drivers and service files. Then I checked that the Apple Mobile Device service (Start>Run>Services.msc) was started. After unplugging the USB and plugging in again a few times, and checking my Network Connections, the computer started using my USB connection! Now I can browse using wireless or USB connection. I wonder if that AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi file lets you use the USB connection without iTunes?

Thanks so much soypisto75, you nailed it! 😀 (At least for me.) After years of no issues with iTunes installs, I'd spent a couple of frustrating days trying to upgrade iTunes from 11.0.0 to 11.0.1 on my Windows Vista machine. I kept installing, then getting this error [Service 'Apple Mobile Device'...]. I would be unable to even launch iTunes, so then I'd get ticked, uninstall it, and start the cycle over again. It was so-o-o-o frustrating! In looking for solutions, I'd seen the post that talked about altering the registry. While I've done that on rare occasions in the past (many eons ago), I'm not enough of a techie to have the confidence to take on something like that. So I was seriously beginning to consider other alternatives to iTunes, which was a route I really didn't want to go down either. Then I happened upon this post and read down until I got to your solution. Followed it precisely as you described and voila! I'm back in business with the new version and quite the happy camper. You helped me end the weekend on a high note, and so I thank you immensely for your post!

soypisto75 Thanks! Your procedure worked for me as well!

Hey Troy, thanks for your helpful notes.

I have the same problem and it looks like they replaced the .inf files with .sys files and some .exe files to install them (for itunes v11.0.0). And installing the .exe results in the same problems, even when installing from an admin cmd window....

i really tried everything giving previliges to the installation and there is no way the service starts...im running windows 7 btw.

BLESS YOU! Soy! This also did the trick for me. phew!

I am so glad people are getting solutions! 🙂 It's such a relief. Reading back on my post, sorry about my rant, though it mirrors a lot of frustrations. Whats important though is that a big frustration is getting a solution / workaround. Great job! 🙂

I was so hopeful when I tried this, but half-way through the installation process I got a pop-up saying that ADME could not be installed because I have insufficient privelages (even though I am the only user on this computer, the administrator, and specifically opened the itunes installer to run as administrator).

I am so frusterated! This must be the 10th time I have uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes, and it still won't recognise my phone. It was working fine before the **** 11.3 update. And now the apps on my phone are malfunctioning and I have no way to change them without getting it to connect to my computer. This is rediculous! Any other suggestions?

OK I'VE GOT IT!!!! with the help of reading through the previous posts above.

heres what i did:

1. run the add/remove program (control panel).

2. uninstall ALL Apple programs (itunes says to start with itunes, then quick time, bonjour and then finally AMDS (apple mobile device support). you might have to close the add/remove program and open it again so that AMDS will not appear on the list.

3. RESTART/REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER!!!

4. go to itunes.com, download the newest version, save it to your desktop, RIGHT CLICK the icon and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR.

5. when itunes is done being installed, **DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT** click finish just yet.

6. plug in your device (iphone, ipod) to the USB cord, you'll see a window pop up in the lower right hand corner...that is your computer searching and installing the device driver.

7. after the driver is installed you can click FINISH on the itunes installer.

I had the same problem but managed to fix it with Amy ; the apple advisor. Here are the steps!

1. First of all, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed. You can download it from here. These instructions will NOT work for iTunes 8, 9 or 10 anymore. If you’re unsure, just uninstall iTunes then re-install with the latest files.
2. Next, you need to manually copy the Mobile Device Support directory from a working machine to your Windows 7 computer. Luckily, I have conveniently provided these files for you. You can download them here:
   64-Bit iTunes 11.0.2: Please click here to download this directory for 64-bit Windows.
   32-Bit iTunes 11.0.2: Please click here to download this directory for 32-bit Windows.
   
3. Once you download that file, you need to Unzip it to this directory. IMPORTANT: Make sure you unzip the CONTENTS of the zip file, don’t just copy over the zip file:
   32-Bit: Unzip to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple
   64-Bit: Unzip to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple
   There are a large number of files in that directory, so it may take a little time, please be patient.
   So, after unzipping, you should have a new folder “Mobile Device Support” in the Apple folder
4. 64-BIT ONLY STEP: If you have 32-bit Windows, skip this step. It seems that Apple has put the “Drivers” in a separate location (don’t know why). You will need to download the drivers separately. Please click here to download the files for 64-bit Windows.
   Once downloaded, you need to Unzip it to this directory. IMPORTANT: Make sure you unzip the CONTENTS of the zip file, don’t just copy over the zip file:
   Unzip to: C:\Program FIles\Common Files\Apple
   So, after unzipping, you should have a new folder “Mobile Device Support” in the Apple folder
5. Next, we have to merge the registry entries that will install the Apple Mobile Device service.
6. First, download the registry entries that I have provided for you here:
   64-bit iTunes 11.0.2: Click here to download the registry entries for 64-bit Windows.
   32-bit iTunes 11.0.2: Click here to download the registry entries for 32-bit Windows.After you download the registry entries ZIP file, unzip it to your desktop and double-click each to install it. Say “Yes” to any prompts or confirmations about adding it to the registry. There are 2 entries, make sure you click BOTH and add BOTH to the registry.
7. Now, we need to install the correct driver for your iPhone / iTouch. Windows 7 incorrectly identifies the device as a digital camera. To fix this:
   - Plug in your iPhone / iTouch (don’t have iTunes loaded at this time)
   - Go to Device Manager (Click Start, right-click Computer, then click Properties. In the window that appears choose “Device Manager” on the left)
   - Scroll down and find “Apple iPod” or “Apple iPhone” or “Apple iTouch”. It will likely be under the “Portable Devices” category.IMPORTANT NOTE: If your device is already listed under “Universal serial Bus Controllers” and not Portable Devices, you can skip these steps and go to Step 7.
   - Right-click the Apple device and choose “Update Driver Software…”
   - Choose “Browse my computer for driver software” in the window that appears
   - It will ask you for a location; you want to Browse to this folder (location is the same in 32 and 64 bit Windows):
   32-bit and 64-bit: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\Drivers
   - Click Next
   - It should find the driver for your device; let it install that driver
8. Once you complete these steps, reboot your computer. Once you reboot everything should work exactly as expected!

Hi JacetheJedi, I just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for this guide. I have spent many hours looking for a solution and tried a number of them as well with no success.

This is such a common problem, I just hope other can find this just like me. Well done, and thanks for sharing.