My iPhone apps stopped working!

[McNasty]

I can't access any of my applications. I downloaded them on the 27th and they've been fine. I synced the iPhone today and now none of the apps will open. It just kicks me back to the main screen. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

[Raid]

I can't access any of my applications. I downloaded them on the 27th and they've been fine. I synced the iPhone today and now none of the apps will open. It just kicks me back to the main screen. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance
Try powering off your phone and starting up again. When I get the odd app crash this has done the trick for me.

[McNasty]

I've tried that a few times, no luck. All of my apps I downloaded are acting up. I need to get some info off my Task app and I can't get to it.

[iFerd]

This is apparently not that uncommon. The real fix will hopefully come with the next firmware update. I have had my best luck doing a hard reset - hold the on-off switch and home button down until the screen goes past the red slider and the screen goes black. Keep holding and the Apple logo appears and the phone eventually restarts.

Other advice is to delete all apps and download them again. There are other even more annoying approaches after that, like restoring the phone after deleting all apps on the desktop and iPhone and then downloading all of them again and reinstalling. Probably some others too.

[Rojo]

Is your iPod content also missing? Then you have the same problem that's plaguing me and so many others (http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=2601).

Unfortunately other than restoring, or doing other stuff that takes up hours of your time, there's nothing that can be done until Apple releases a new update to the firmaware to fix this. Even restoring or whatever is only a temporary fix -- I've done it twice now, but refuse to do it anymore (if you DO, and your apps work again, do NOT download any more apps until an Apple fix -- as that seems to be the start of the problem re-occurring).

[McNasty]

None of my apps show you in iTunes (don't sync). I just deleted my apps from the iPhone and re-downloaed them from iTunes. Once they are on the iPhone I'm going to uncheck "sync apps" and just hope that everything stays the same. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your help!

[gatorlmc]

If you delete and try to download again, are you going to be charged a second time?

[rockinrocker]

If you delete and try to download again, are you going to be charged a second time?

no.

[applelee47]

I can't access any of my applications. I downloaded them on the 27th and they've been fine. I synced the iPhone today and now none of the apps will open. It just kicks me back to the main screen. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Try installing an app (a free one!) and after it installs and works the other apps on your phone should work. This worked for me and, apparently for others, as detailed on Apple's discussion boards. It's certainly not right and needs to be fixed by Steve, etal, but this is a temporary solution for some of us. Good luck.

[Rojo]

Try installing an app (a free one!) and after it installs and works the other apps on your phone should work.

Unfortunately, even when I install a new app, it doesn't work either. :(

[Ferret]

None of my apps show you in iTunes (don't sync). I just deleted my apps from the iPhone and re-downloaed them from iTunes. Once they are on the iPhone I'm going to uncheck "sync apps" and just hope that everything stays the same. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your help!

I think once you get them back on your phone, if you uncheck "sync apps," it'll take them back off your phone when you apply or sync.

I'm having this problem now too. It's the second time it's happened since I got the phone on 7/11. I've tried re-syncing, adding a free app, and powering off. So far, no luck. The last time I had to restore and it was such a pain I'm really holding off on that now.

[Amt]

I've had this problem at least 5 times this past week. The only way I could get them to work again (for a while) was by restoring my phone back to factory settings, updating to 2.0.2, and then re-installing the apps back onto it.

[razorianfly]

Solution:

1) Sync contacts and calendars. Remove all apps from the phone during the sync.
You can print out a list of Applications from iTunes before you delete them, or
look in your iTunes account purchase history for this information.

2) Disconnect the iPhone and erase all content and settings. This can be painful.
You will lose call records, texts, notes, WiFi networks, YouTube bookmarks,
Maps bookmarks and Safari bookmarks. Webclips will also disappear.
This takes a while so now you can work on your computer.

3) Be sure the iPhone applications in iTunes are all deleted.
Sign out of the iTunes Store and deauthorize your computer.
If you're running iTunes 7.7.1 uninstall the program.
Your music will not be affected. I'm using Mac OS 10.4.11.
Following the suggestions of Jamie Hosticka, I also removed the following files:

* /System/Library/Extensions/AppleMobileDevice.kext
* /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DeviceLink.framework
* /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework
* /Library/Receipts/AppleMobileDeviceSupport.pkg
* /Library/Receipts/iTunesAccess.pkg
* /Library/Receipts/iTunesX.pkg

4) Restart your computer and empty the trash.
Download and install iTunes 7.7.0. Sign on to the iTunes Store and authorize the computer.
Under preferences deselect check for updates automatically.

5) Connect the iPhone. Hold down the home and sleep buttons for a few seconds.
The screen will go blank. Two seconds after the screen goes blank release the sleep button.
Keep the home button depressed to invoke DFU mode.
iTunes will prompt you with a window that it detects the phone in recovery mode then you can release the home button.

6) Set up like a new phone and install the latest firmware. Do not restore a backup.

7) While this is going on you can download some apps on the iTunes Store.
Apps you have already purchased can be downloaded for free.
Another culprit in this bug could be the number of downloaded apps installed to the phone.
Some have suggested limiting the number of home screens to three or less to minimize problems.

8) When the device is finished setting up you can sync your contacts, calendar, playlists, and new apps.
The more apps you have installed the longer the backup process will take.
You may choose to skip the backup until you actually have data on the phone to back up.

Worked for me. :cool:

The problem resides within the syncing process between iPhone 2.0 and iTunes 7.7.1. Downgrading to iTunes 7.7 actually cures this issue.

Hope it helps ...

R-Fly

[applelee47]

Solution:

1) Sync contacts and calendars. Remove all apps from the phone during the sync.
You can print out a list of Applications from iTunes before you delete them, or
look in your iTunes account purchase history for this information.

2) Disconnect the iPhone and erase all content and settings. This can be painful.
You will lose call records, texts, notes, WiFi networks, YouTube bookmarks,
Maps bookmarks and Safari bookmarks. Webclips will also disappear.
This takes a while so now you can work on your computer.

3) Be sure the iPhone applications in iTunes are all deleted.
Sign out of the iTunes Store and deauthorize your computer.
If you're running iTunes 7.7.1 uninstall the program.
Your music will not be affected. I'm using Mac OS 10.4.11.
Following the suggestions of Jamie Hosticka, I also removed the following files:

* /System/Library/Extensions/AppleMobileDevice.kext
* /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DeviceLink.framework
* /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileDevice.framework
* /Library/Receipts/AppleMobileDeviceSupport.pkg
* /Library/Receipts/iTunesAccess.pkg
* /Library/Receipts/iTunesX.pkg

4) Restart your computer and empty the trash.
Download and install iTunes 7.7.0. Sign on to the iTunes Store and authorize the computer.
Under preferences deselect check for updates automatically.

5) Connect the iPhone. Hold down the home and sleep buttons for a few seconds.
The screen will go blank. Two seconds after the screen goes blank release the sleep button.
Keep the home button depressed to invoke DFU mode.
iTunes will prompt you with a window that it detects the phone in recovery mode then you can release the home button.

6) Set up like a new phone and install the latest firmware. Do not restore a backup.

7) While this is going on you can download some apps on the iTunes Store.
Apps you have already purchased can be downloaded for free.
Another culprit in this bug could be the number of downloaded apps installed to the phone.
Some have suggested limiting the number of home screens to three or less to minimize problems.

8) When the device is finished setting up you can sync your contacts, calendar, playlists, and new apps.
The more apps you have installed the longer the backup process will take.
You may choose to skip the backup until you actually have data on the phone to back up.

Worked for me. :cool:

The problem resides within the syncing process between iPhone 2.0 and iTunes 7.7.1. Downgrading to iTunes 7.7 actually cures this issue.

Hope it helps ...

R-Fly

The complexity and length of this solution (while it may solve the problem described) speaks to the need for Apple to solve this problem immediately. A large part of the appeal of the new iPhone was the Apps Store. The problems experienced by so many using this aspect of the iPhone are a huge black mark on Apple's ability to provide superior products and expand their user base. The iPhone 3G is my first Apple product and while it has some fantastic aspects the problems (3G, dropped calls, app problem etc) make me seriously consider whether it will be my last.

[McNasty]

Thanks for that detailed instruction guide. Its a bummer that so many of us are facing the same problem. I'm going to keep messing with my phone and hope that the apps stay this time. I tried downloading them through iTunes on my computer then syncing them. A few of them didn't sync and of course they were the ones I wanted the most. Hopefully a permanent fix will arrive soon.

[grunt1984]

So glad im not the only one having the same problem, this week was the 4th time its happened to me, and its annoying cos only way i find to fix it is install the same apps all again ! All my saved game scores and levels are reset, all my saved bank detailed and pins are all gone. DANG sucks !

Please let me know if anyone gets more information on stopping this. Surely apple are aware of it.

[activeminds]

I just had this problem last night. then I read this thread and besides the huge long fix of uninstalling and all that. Plus the hard reset.

I just downloaded another free app from the app store, and they all worked again.

Don't know how long they will work for, but that was pretty simple.

P

[redgaz26]

I've been having serious problems with my iphone syncing so tonight I deleted all of my apps from my mobile applications folder, trashed itunes and downloaded it again.
after setting it back up I signed in to the store and downloaded monkey ball which i had already bought, it then asked the usual do you want to purchase this app, i said yes, then i when into my apps on itunes and all the apps i had before i trashed everything were back???????????
and now it shows 2 monkey ball games.
now thing is i have just got a new visa debit card and updated it within the itunes store. Will I be charged again for monkey ball??


edit the apps i trashed are not back they just show up in itunes just a case of deleting the icons, but if i download them all again will i be charged?

me again getting worried now, so i go back into the app store and download one of the free apps i had, it said i already purchased this item but would i like to download again i said yes. but with monkey ball it asked if i would like to purchase not that i already had it??

[McNasty]

you shouldn't be charged twice if you used your same iTunes store account.

[redgaz26]

ok luckily i use time machine so i went back and got all my paid for apps and restored them!!
there back in my itunes and syncing to my phone, I hope i dont get charged again for monkey ball but at least its the only one.

[Rojo]

Entirely separate from my iPhone problems, I've also been having some major Mac problems (it's been a BAD Apple week for me) -- and I can't get into my account. So unfortunately I couldn't sync/restore/access my iTunes at all or do any of the suggested troubleshooting, even if I wanted to.

So I went to see an Apple Genius, who didn't believe me at first when he said my music disappeared and all my apps weren't working. He just assumed I hadn't synced properly, or wasn't testing every app, or hadn't bothered to reboot, or whatever. When I tried to explain the situation, and how it was affecting a LOT of users, he still thought it was something that *I* must have done wrong. He looked at the "About" section, which apparently said the capacity was very low, and said that I just didn't sync any of my music. When I said that I had, and that they were actually there, but just not showing up, he rolled his eyes. I started to get really pissed.

He tried a few things, like resetting my settings (without asking my permission), and basically told me I was screwed and that there was nothing that could be done because it was a software issue. I asked "am I really supposed to just deal with an iPhone that doesn't work the way it's intended?", and his answer was yes. He felt ashamed that he couldn't do anything, and it was obvious to both of us that only an Apple update could fix the situation -- so I just walked out, furious that I was in this situation, and nothing could be done.

Thing is, when he restored my phone's settings, we didn't think anything had changed -- since he was only testing whether or not apps would open (and they still weren't). However, when I got out of the Apple Store, I noticed my music HAD reappeared! 3rd-party apps were still a no-go, but my music was somehow back. I walked back in and showed the genius, and he was shocked that now the phone was showing ALL my music, and that the capacity was suddenly full. He then pretty much gave me a "did this guy just switch phones on me?" look, and seemed skeptical. He then said it was great my music was back, and that maybe my apps would begin working again too -- but there was still nothing he could do. He also made it sound like I had way too many apps (I have about 5 sreens worth), and that it was probably my fault somehow for having so many. Or that I probably had inadvertently installed a malicious file somehow. When I told him I've never jailbroken my phone, and that every file on there was from iTunes or a CD, he said he didn't care -- and that it was still possible. I realized I was just going to get more upset if I stayed and listened to this, so I just left.

When I got back home, I tried the "installing a free app" trick again (which did NOT work with me before), and suddenly....it was working! All my apps were now opening!

So that was my very long-winded explanation of how I got my phone working again, without having to do any mass-deleting/restoring/whatever. It just meant restoring my settings (which was a small bummer), and downloading a free app again.

I now have a few app updates waiting for me, and a couple of games I'd love to download -- but I don't DARE do anything with my phone now until another Apple update comes out. If there's one good thing about my Mac also being down, it's that I'm not tempted to change my music or sync either. Not sure what that would do. I just don't want to go through any of this again!!!

[redgaz26]

i do not believe this:mad: the phone just crashed again during syncing:(
this is going back to the store I've had enough!!!!!!!


edit. meant to add when all this is going on itunes is also crashing i have to force quit! i have reinstalled it tonight and still the same so is the problem the phone or itunes??

[razorianfly]

me again getting worried now, so i go back into the app store and download one of the free apps i had, it said i already purchased this item but would i like to download again i said yes. but with monkey ball it asked if i would like to purchase not that i already had it??

I believe you are experiencing what I have been. iTunes looks for an original application file, and if it can't find it, it presumes you never bought that application. Now, you say your application library shows two Super monkey Ball applications? - this is because these are the 'update' files of Super Monkey Ball. The actual application file is still on your hard drive, but needs dragging into iTunes again. This way, iTunes will recognize Super Monkey Ball and apply the two update files to the application - Then when you next try to 'Buy' the application, iTunes will no longer ask you to purchase it.

Whenever this happens, you are missing the 'CORE' application file (the original - v1.0) from your application library.

Hope this helps.

R-Fly

[zetor]

I had the same problem. All my apps worked fine until today. an hour ago I realized that none of apps installed by me worked. They all crashed right after I started them.
Resetting iPhone did not help at all. I got really pissed off cause i don't want to reainstall my apps every couple days (or weeks). . . and I realized that I had the same problem 2 weeks ago and I managed to fix it without reinstalling all my apps.
I tried it again and it worked.
Here's what I did:
I deleted one of my apps - some small app I never use (oh and it was free - but it doesn't really matter). So I deleted it and then accessed APP Store and installed it again. After this all my apps are working again.

[inkistay]

I just updated to the 2.0.2 and rejailbroke my phone (1st gen) hoping the app problem would go away. After re-downloading my previous programs from the app store, they still quit out from their start up screen, argg. I dont have the time to do the full system (delete/reinstall itunes on my computer) restore. Also the d/l a new free app trick doesn't work. Blargg. Anyone got or seen any other tricks up their sleeves? :confused:

[scootermac]

Entirely separate from my iPhone problems, I've also been having some major Mac problems (it's been a BAD Apple week for me) -- and I can't get into my account. So unfortunately I couldn't sync/restore/access my iTunes at all or do any of the suggested troubleshooting, even if I wanted to.

So I went to see an Apple Genius, who didn't believe me at first when he said my music disappeared and all my apps weren't working. He just assumed I hadn't synced properly, or wasn't testing every app, or hadn't bothered to reboot, or whatever. When I tried to explain the situation, and how it was affecting a LOT of users, he still thought it was something that *I* must have done wrong. He looked at the "About" section, which apparently said the capacity was very low, and said that I just didn't sync any of my music. When I said that I had, and that they were actually there, but just not showing up, he rolled his eyes. I started to get really pissed.

He tried a few things, like resetting my settings (without asking my permission), and basically told me I was screwed and that there was nothing that could be done because it was a software issue. I asked "am I really supposed to just deal with an iPhone that doesn't work the way it's intended?", and his answer was yes. He felt ashamed that he couldn't do anything, and it was obvious to both of us that only an Apple update could fix the situation -- so I just walked out, furious that I was in this situation, and nothing could be done.

Thing is, when he restored my phone's settings, we didn't think anything had changed -- since he was only testing whether or not apps would open (and they still weren't). However, when I got out of the Apple Store, I noticed my music HAD reappeared! 3rd-party apps were still a no-go, but my music was somehow back. I walked back in and showed the genius, and he was shocked that now the phone was showing ALL my music, and that the capacity was suddenly full. He then pretty much gave me a "did this guy just switch phones on me?" look, and seemed skeptical. He then said it was great my music was back, and that maybe my apps would begin working again too -- but there was still nothing he could do. He also made it sound like I had way too many apps (I have about 5 sreens worth), and that it was probably my fault somehow for having so many. Or that I probably had inadvertently installed a malicious file somehow. When I told him I've never jailbroken my phone, and that every file on there was from iTunes or a CD, he said he didn't care -- and that it was still possible. I realized I was just going to get more upset if I stayed and listened to this, so I just left.

When I got back home, I tried the "installing a free app" trick again (which did NOT work with me before), and suddenly....it was working! All my apps were now opening!

So that was my very long-winded explanation of how I got my phone working again, without having to do any mass-deleting/restoring/whatever. It just meant restoring my settings (which was a small bummer), and downloading a free app again.

I now have a few app updates waiting for me, and a couple of games I'd love to download -- but I don't DARE do anything with my phone now until another Apple update comes out. If there's one good thing about my Mac also being down, it's that I'm not tempted to change my music or sync either. Not sure what that would do. I just don't want to go through any of this again!!!


I had the same problem with my apps crashing and my music GONE. I restored my phone TWICE, the second time I didn't put all the apps on my phone, just a few that I had bought:mad:

[Dakotafan]

This happened to me a few times before and I just deleted one of the app store apps and reinstalled, but that fix is not working now. These were working one minute and not the next. This is annoying. This can't be a jailbreaking thing either

[oneals2focus]

Man the same thing has happed to me yesterday. :mad: I'm just wait for the 2.1 update and pray. LOL

[Dakotafan]

wow this is going on day 2...any ideas besides restoring

[iFerd]

I have had 48 hours of uninterrupted use of my third party apps by downgrading iTunes to version 7.7. I followed the instruction in this post (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6055900&postcount=161) in this forum. Before getting to this point, I tried all of the other suggestions I could find, with success limited. The problem always came back.

But at this point, with new firmware and an iTunes update expected tomorrow, if I were just now having this happen, I'd wait until tomorrow after the Apple announcement, which begins at 10:00 Pacific time. It takes long enough to uninstall all apps, downgrade iTunes, and load everything back up again that it may not be worth your time to fiddle with it. It depends on how patient you are though, I know.

[meichow]

JUST downloading any free app FIXES THE PROBLEM!!

Thanks so much man!


I just had this problem last night. then I read this thread and besides the huge long fix of uninstalling and all that. Plus the hard reset.

I just downloaded another free app from the app store, and they all worked again.

Don't know how long they will work for, but that was pretty simple.

P

[stockracer]

Same thing just happened to me! So they did NOT fix it in 2.2 :mad:
Downloading an app did cause apps to start working again, but they need to fix this!

[NotGuilty]

it happened to me also today after i chose to Sync my applications with iTunes8, i have iPhone3G version 2.2..
i will try today to do some the ideas exchanged here.. and i will get back to you with what will happen with me..

[gatorlmc]

I have tried to download updates and it just locks up that app. I tried to download a free app and that locked up too? Any suggestions?

[truz]

This just seems to have happened to myself.

I use VNC to remote manage my computer (check multi email accounts, 8 total) so checking my computer remotely seems easier. However my main business account I check all the time from my phone.

VNC seems to have stopped working from remote locations, however it works when I'm connected to my wireless network.

But, AirMouse also stopped working along with a few other apps. I have my phone jailbroken so its a joke to restore and resetup until an updates released.. anyone else having issues?

[sinjin74]

Try installing an app (a free one!) and after it installs and works the other apps on your phone should work. This worked for me and, apparently for others, as detailed on Apple's discussion boards. It's certainly not right and needs to be fixed by Steve, etal, but this is a temporary solution for some of us. Good luck.


After trying a bunch of options this is the one that worked for me, very quick and painless:D

[zen]

I assume this also applies to the iPod touch - I have a brand new 8GB model (only got it this week), and after three days of faultless use, all my non-Apple apps just quit when launched and I'm back on the home screen.

I'l currently doing a full erase/restore - luckily I didn't get much of a chance to load much onto it. I downloaded about a dozen apps from the app store, some free, some paid.

[CanadianLX]

Try installing an app (a free one!) and after it installs and works the other apps on your phone should work. This worked for me and, apparently for others, as detailed on Apple's discussion boards. It's certainly not right and needs to be fixed by Steve, etal, but this is a temporary solution for some of us. Good luck.

Thread revival by newbie i know lol...

Just letting you know that I picked up the new 3GS 32 gb two weeks ago which i assume has the most up to date software, and this app problem is STILL ongoing. Happened to me a few times - thought maybe at first it was a fluke or that i accidentally changed some setting somewhere but after the third time i decided to jump on here and see what the hell is up?

However, the above solution worked for me. Just wanted to say thanks for that one :)

What a stupid problem to have on such a fantastic phone.