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Apple Mobile Device failed to start

When I install itunes, I get the following error message: service 'Apple Mobile Device' (Apple Mobile Device) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privleges to start system services. Any ideas what to try?

itunes-OTHER, Windows Vista

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 7:31 PM

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Posted on Oct 17, 2012 8:43 PM

Not sure about djeanne, but this didn't help me at all. No matter what I do with uninstalling, deleting all apple files, downloading and extracting and reinstalling one by one, I still cannot itunes to install properly. I'm convinced it has to do with the Apple Mobile Device Support file since I'm getting the same message as djeanne. I also notice rollbacks happening when I try to install, but it goes by so fast.


Anyone? Help? I've been at this for almost 1 month now! I refuse to go out to buy my iphone 5 until I can get iTunes 10.7 installed and working.

149 replies

Jan 25, 2014 4:41 AM in response to semiaddict

Hi, I am sure that you are right. I did not spot the entry under Apple in Programs and Features until later. I have noted though that some posts say that removing all the Apple applications this way did not work. Maybe uninstalling it from Programs and Features first and then removing the Apple folder if it is still there would be a belt and braces approach. Rgds

Jan 25, 2014 8:31 AM in response to philg146

Yes, that might be the best way to go.


Personally, I simply uninstalled the following programs "Apple Application Support", "Apple Mobile Device Support", "Bonjour" and "iTunes" and reinstalled the newest version of iTunes which reinstalled all the others and worked as expected.


Note: it is always best to use the uninstaller (if available) instead of renaming/deleting application forlders.

Jan 26, 2014 10:35 AM in response to 8D-Dave

I have found the solution to this.


Step 1 - Uninstall itunes and apple apps.


Step 2 - right-click on My Computer and click on manage


Step 3 - Click on the Services And Applications tab


Step 4 - Click Services


Step 5 - look for Apple Mobile Device and double-click on it.

Note: It should be disabled and not at automatic! try doing a disk clean up on to make sure

the Apple Mobile Device service is ready to be deleted. *You should be able to see the service is at the point of deletion. means you cannot enable it anymore.


Step 6 - restart your computer. *your computer should have a update.


Step 7 - go into the Services And Applications tab again to confirm the Apple Mobile Device is deleted.


Step 8 - Install itunes.


Step 9 - enjoy itunes 🙂

Jan 26, 2014 4:41 PM in response to djeanne

I had the error that the "Apple mobile device" will not uninstall. I found the answer here:


http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-windows_programs/fat al-error-occurs-while-uninstalling-apple-mobile/e6c699ec-f036-42a4-bdea-06c9fa7d a4aa


Once I uninstalled that program I was able to complete uninstalling the others recommended above. I re-installed Itunes and everything works fine. But I am still keeping my fingers crossed!

Apple Mobile Device failed to start

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