A look at business, law and life from a technophile.
Fix – IPhone app won’t start/launch/open
A friend of mine’s IPhone would not launch apps that previously worked for him, which appeared to be 3rd party applications. Here’s a few potential fixes with notes:
- Download a new free app (like google earth) and once you enter your itunes password, all is fixed
Reason:
“Taken from another forum:
The reason this happens is because every time a downloaded app is opened it checks for your itunes password for validation that you are authorized to open that app (as it may contain personal info). From time to time the iphone “forgets” your itunes password. You can fix the missing password by syncing the iphone with itunes or downloading an app from the app store and entering your password that way.”
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The solution for this situation was the Application setting tab at top when the iPhone is plugged in and iTunes is running. It seems when an iPhone ( the same may apply for iTouch also ) with 3rd party apps is plugged into iTunes , iTunes runs a backup to restore the 3rd party applications if needed. If the ‘ sync ‘ box ( for applications ) is unchecked and the sync is run , the apps are ‘ removed ‘ from your iPhone although they still appear on the iPhone ( similar to deleting a program but leaving the shortcut to it ). When starting the 3rd party app , it begins to run but then just exits.The fix for this was simply running iTunes , plugging in the iPhone and going to the Application tab and ensuring the ‘ sync ‘ applications box was checked ( along with all the applications it backed up under it ).
- The solution for this situation was the Application setting tab at top when the iPhone is plugged in and iTunes is running. It seems when an iPhone ( the same may apply for iTouch also ) with 3rd party apps is plugged into iTunes , iTunes runs a backup to restore the 3rd party applications if needed. If the ‘ sync ‘ box ( for applications ) is unchecked and the sync is run , the apps are ‘ removed ‘ from your iPhone although they still appear on the iPhone ( similar to deleting a program but leaving the shortcut to it ). When starting the 3rd party app , it begins to run but then just exits.The fix for this was simply running iTunes , plugging in the iPhone and going to the Application tab and ensuring the ‘ sync ‘ applications box was checked ( along with all the applications it backed up under it ).
- 1. Authorize, de-authorize and authorize again your computer in Itunes.
2. Sync all apps – chose ’specified apps’ and check them all for sync (the third party apps still won’t work at this point).
3. After syncing, with the IPhone still connected, delete one third party app (you’ll notice this app will lose its check).
4. Recheck this app in Itunes and (with all the other apps checked as well) sync again.
5. With the Iphone still connected, try opening the app you just restored. It should work fine, no saved data lost.
6. Test your other apps. If still not working, try repeating steps 3 – 5 with other third party apps until it fixes the problem. It took me 3 deletes/restores to get everything running again.
Hopefully one of these solutions works for you. I hear there’s good success with the install a new app solution.
–Ben
Source: Iphone App Ratings Forum
Thank you SO much. I thought my iPhone was screwed but this cleared up my problems.
Try this. Go to App Store and hit the updates tab. See if FB is listed as needing to be updated. If so, update it. Once updated it should work fine. Don’t bother downloading different apps to get FB unstuck or deleting and re-downloading.
Ok, so under your “settings”, if you have your app updates scheduled to automatically update when you enter wi-fi, this could be your problem, as it was mine. When I went to the mall, there was wifi, and I am assuming that because I have it set up to automatically download the update while in wifi, it started downloading the updates, and when I left the mall, obvi they did not finish, and therefore, were “corrupted”. So when I was trying to open a couple of my apps, and they’d automatically shut down just as fast as I’d open them. I tried to download a free app, as the advice said above. I got NOTHING (except about 4 new useless apps that I will never use in this lifetime, but I kept thinking that maybe the downloads just weren’t registering correctly or something). Deleted fb, ig, and reinstalled them. Worked perfect. But candy crush-ohhhh damnations (shaking my fist in the air). Did NOT want to delete the holy candy crush!!! Ok, so as lame as it sounds, I was NOT about to lose my progress and start from level one again. Some of those levels are a son-of-a b (much like the level I’m at now, ahem, 425) and I wasn’t about to throw in the towel yet!! I’ve been playing this game for a year now-don’t judge, I’m about to help you!! (And let’s be honest, you’re probably in the same boat and that’s why you’ve googled and seen that your progress WILL be lost, which led you to this page to try and figure out what the crap is going on, bc you’re thinking I just can’t POSSIBLY start all over!!! And DONT EVEN act like you’re NOT wanting to delete the oh so presh time waster/crack on a phone app). So I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on, and thinking that everything was working perfectly fine before I went to the mall and got onto their wifi…hmmm it HAS to be something with the wifi and a corrupted download…hmmm…(wheels are turning at this point until…) VOILA!! (Well, ALMOST voila, but not quite.) I thought bc I hadn’t downloaded the newest version of the iOS 7.1.2.3.4.5 or whateve one they’re on right now, that it was the whole system iOS download that was the failure. But alas, I am still at a loss, bc that is DEF NOT IT!! grrrrrr at this point. Ok, so wheels start spinning again, mall, wifi, corrupted update, wifi, no wifi, cheese fries… Mnm cheese fries…OMG get back to the wheels spinning you lard bottom!! Ok, gonna get it this time!! Mall, wifi, corrupted update, left the mall so no more wifi, corrupted updates, updates, oh wait!! UPDATES!!! Voi-f*cking-la!!!
I then realized that maybe it was the ACTUAL app update that could have been corrupted since, as I stated before, as soon as I enter a wifi area, updates are to be automatically done on their own. So during my train of thought I just took you all on,(& yes, the cheese fries were fan-farking-tastic: cheese sauce on the side, great steak company seasoning sprinkled ALL OVER the fries mmmmm-I’m still enjoying as I type…) I figured that there HAD to be a ACTUAL candy crush update that started wgen I entered the mall wifi, became corrupted when it couldn’t finish bc I left said wifi area, and THAT’S what happened!! So, crossing my fingers that there was a friggin candy crush update when I opened the App Store up, I held my breath, and hoped to see that sweet (no pun intended) lil candy icon???????? in the updates area. Well!!! Sure as ????, there it was!! So that HAD to be it!!! So I updated all my apps that were scheduled to be updated, and seriously, for realz yo, this is the last time, I promise: VOI-F*CKING-LAAAAAAAA!! EVERY SINGLE one of my apps opens with ease, (and some even BETTER looking since the last I had seen them, and before you ask, yes, this is almost over, yes I’ll do a quick recap, and NO, it wasn’t the time/absence in which my heart grew fonder, as to how much SWEETER, more futuristic, sleeker, & just THAT MUCH MORE badass they looked!! Phew.
So, in conclusion, this is about to get real: IF in your settings, you have the “automatically download updates when wifi is entered” (or whateve it says-and bc I do not know the actual phrase, I probably SHOULDN’T put it in quotes, but whatevs, that how I roll, #rebel) and you are NOT in wifi 23.95 out of the 24 hours in a day (since updates are coming out more than all those lil bitches do at a debutante or cottilian ball, then I suggest you change this setting on your phone to “ask before updates are downloaded”, again, #rebel
Otherwise, you’re gonna end up having to manually update the dern apps again anyways, since every time you enter wifi, they’ll begin to update, & if you leave the wifi area before they all do, you’re gonna end up with the hide and go seek apps that I encountered tonight.
So, moral of this long ass (but hopefully some-what entertaining and funny/witty) comment, turn off automatically download updates when wifi is entered. You’re just going to end up manually updating them yourself, unless you actually ARE home 23.95/24 hours a day. So stay at home moms of tiny babies, you’re fine. Wifi’s at home, and you gots no where to be at all today, or any other day for that matter, until your lil hellion enters school. Even then, you’ll have PLENTY o’time to fiddle around and let your updates automatically do their thang, bc the time it takes to drop off/pick up said hellion(s) accounts for your .05 time you are away from your wifi. Then, it’s back home you go, to hop back into good ol wifi land where you’re updates are free to download and sheoit, just as free as your spirit was before you got so tied down your spouse, mini hellions, and your minivan carpooling ass used to be.
Now that my sarcastic, witty, & straight up comedic update help comment is finished, I can now delete the 5 free apps I downloaded, thinking maybe they just weren’t registering correctly lmao. ????
I’ll be here all week folks!!
Lol jk
I won’t be
Thanks for sharing Amanda. So it looks like a corrupted Wifi Download can cause problems. And you should re-download the broken app.
–Ben
Help. tried the above. didn ‘t work. Have a jailbroken Iphone 4s. Hi, I am on iphone 4s ios 6.1.2 jailbroken with evasion software. Keyboard gets stuck if I try to hit the flashing line to copy/paste or use magnifier. Facebook, twitter and most other apps work. All my themes work. Most cydia apps work except ifile. Instagram, Weatherbug, Sims Freeplay and a few others even new download not opening.
Sorry, I haven’t used a jailbroken IOS device yet. I’m not sure I can help. Good Luck!
wow !!! Gr8 help thnx
I updated my iPhone 3G to 4.2.1 and my apps won’t open. I’ve tried rebooting 7 times, I’ve downloaded 5 free apps and syncing in iTunes and still nothing! The whole checking and unckecking in iTunes isn’t there. I’m using the latest version of iTunes. It’s been 3 weeks and nothing seems to work! Im in desperate need of help!
The install a new app solution worked, thank you SO much!
Unfortunately all the steps you said did not fix my grand theft auto vice city game which loads but closes again please somebody help my iPhone is jailbroken and downloaded the game
I have tried all three ways and my facebook app, which is the only app I have ever had a problem with still wont load. Anyone got a fourth solution?
hello,
i am facing same problem with Facebook app, tried all above things…. still not working…..
i just updated the new version and then faced this problem….
regards,
Sohail
How about the developers release some functional products, you know, ones that actually work
Hello, please help me i still dont understand the steps 🙁
i tried deleting the apps as it said both on my Pc and Iphone and then syncing again but nonthing worked.
Gee thanks man!
It worked out perfectly.
THANK YOU SO SO MUCH BEN!
I am so happy My apps are all working again, you sir are a genius
Wow, it worked! Thanks!
Hey fellas, is there a way of making the apps load and work without re-installing and syncing with itunes? The reboot didnt work neither, and im just close to pulling my hair out…aaaarrgh
My daughter’s new iPhone did this. We took it to the Apple Store, had to make an appointment, came back four hours later. They completely erased and reloaded her phone saying it was a bad factory-install. Of course, we hooked it up to iTunes to reload the music when we got home.
This morning, it started doing it again. She txted me to complain, I googled, txted her to get ANY free app, she txted back “It WORKED, you rock :)”
THANK YOU for this post and for making me look good to my daughter.
I have chess with friends but after a few seconds it doesn’t work and shuts off. What should I do?
Thanks downloading Google maps worked
I can’t believe the deleting the app and installing in Itunes helped, but it worked like a charm! Thanks!
Had a problem where all 3rd party apps were instantly closing. Downloading a new app seems to have fixed the issue. Thank you for such a simple solution!
Thanks
I have a jailbroken iphone 3g 4.2.1… The problem occured to me when i installed 2 apps from app store yesterday and restarted my phone… But Downloading a new free app and entering my app store password fixed my isssue!
Hey, this was a great help, thanks! New iPhone user and did my first sync today; didn’t try Facebook until much later and wouldn’t have made the connection at all. All fixed!
Help my phone is jailbroken. I have tried reinstalling a app and outing my password in but still don’t work 🙁
Sorry. I’m not sure what to do for a jailbroken iphone. You might try rebooting. Otherwise you might browse the forums on the site that is responsible for your jailbreaking program.
–Ben
Mine still does not work. I click the icon on the iphone and they still refuse to load. It goes in for half a second then quickly goes back out.
I apologize if this is a dumb question. Have you tried rebooting (hold down the power button until the red slider comes up and sliding it to power off the phone)?
Uploading a new app fixed everything! Thanks so much!
You’re a life saver thanks.
Glad to help.
First fixed worked for me Thanks!!
Well i should have tried all this, but the problem is that i dont have an apple id. I cant authorize or deauthorize my laptop, what shall i do now, plz help.
I’m not sure. I’ve never heard that it was possible to run an iphone/ipod without an apple id. Are you jailbroken?
Thanks ben, worked for me as well 🙂
This is so cool.. it really works. Just by downloading the free app. “google earth. Thanks Ben. 🙂
No problem. I use this site to bank my fixes (so I can reuse them too).
Dear Ben, I’ve got the same annoying thing that the 3rd party apps are no more working on my iPhone 4. Is there any issue of downloading apps by using more than one Apple IDs in parallel? Because only those apps left working which were not downloaded by using my account and the rest are going right their way. Any suggestions ?
My understanding is that only one apple id can be used at a time for apps. A second apple ID can be used for gamecenter without screwing things up.
Had this problem after resetting iPhone. None of the above solutions worked, I could not logon to iTunes. I figured it was an iTunes login account problem. Therefore, I logged into iTunes on my computer, did the iForgot password, and reset password. Problem solved, no need to reload and/or sync apps.
Thanks for sharing. Sound off below if Sandra’s comment helped!
–Ben
Thanks much for this info, installing a new app did the trick for me!
Glad it worked. –Ben
Outstanding – I don’t even have an I-phone and I fixed my Wife’s phone with this info. Thanks!
It’s the calendar that’s already on the phone, and can’t be deleted ( is that a 3rd party app?)
My calendar still won’t work after restarting, downloading a new app I’ve tried downloading three. Then downloaded another calendar then same problem with that one, came on for 3 seconds then went back to the main menu I deleted that, and tried another list of “how to fix it” that I found on apple support and still nothing :s I really need my calendar!
Worked Great! Thanks so much!!!
Ben ur a damn genius! thanks so much!
Wow, this works. I just installed a new app and bingo, all the other aps are working again. Thank you so much for the tip, Ben!!
Its amazing how simple the fix is. The problem is just knowing the trick. Glad it worked.
–Ben
Thanks for this solution. Even my teenage son did not know how to fix this problem!
Glad I could help! Its an impressive day when I can help over the teenagers. They seem to quickly understand the technology.
–Ben
Thank you so much for posting this! It happened to my boyfriend and downloading another app worked perfectly =] thanks again!!
Thanks! I had one app on my iPhone 4 that had been working and then just wouldn’t load. I tried removing and reinstalling, syncing, etc, etc. The key was to leave the phone connected to iTunes and then open the app. This was my most used app, what a lifesaver!
I just synched my iphone 3G with desktop pc and looks like all music, apps are on pc but I am unable to open apps in my itunes library for use on pc – any info/suggestions?
Thanks!
Viveca,
I don’t think you can use the iPhone apps on the PC. What you’ve done is backup your applications so that you can restore them if you get a new phone or have to reinitialize your current phone.
–Ben
hi ben,
i’ve only one third application which won’t work
– i’ve installed google earth from appstore and entred the passbut the third app still start and close in few seconds.
– i’ve tried the steps 1,2,….,6 no change
help please
Thank you!!! Took my phone to the AT&T store…no one there had any idea how to fix it, and told me to go to an Apple store. As I don’t have one near me, I tried to fix it myself, found your advice, and two minutes later after downloading Google Earth, everything was all set!
Thanks so much – tried the ‘download free app’ fix to no avail – then found your article with iTunes sync. That did the trick!
Downloaded one free app. (Dropzap – cool game by the way) Now all my apps are working again. Great tip! Thanks.
omg i was freaking out !!! thanks so much !! solved my problem in 2 seconds and ive been stressing since yesterday!
No problem. Glad I could help.
Great tips – i followed the authorize , deauthorize route and re synced – worked first time.
Thanke so much – saved me a trip to the ever so busy apple store in town !
Glad it worked.
I had the same thing happen to me. I plugged in my phone to my work computer, and I guess it tried to associate it with that machine. I’ve done this many times before without any issues, so why this happened this time is beyond me. My fix was to update an app that was ready for an update, once I entered my password all the 3rd party apps started working…Thanks for the article!
No problem. So far this month, this article has been viewed about 1,500 times. I think there are a lot of people with this issue.
–Ben
Thank you, simple explanation for the less technical amoungst us!!
Glad I could help out. Its fun to cross paths with other Utahns on the virtual side. I’ll look out for a McThomas on the real side.
–Ben
Thanks for this Ben. I had this situation happen to me. We lost 3G coverage around here for a little bit. And when I tried to use my 3rd party apps, they just closed. I then found this and so I delete facebook and then reinstalled it. And now all my apps work. Which is great so I didn’t have to go home to fix this problem.
Thanks again!!!!
Also I see your a fellow Utahan…rock on!
Dear Ben,
May I ask how do I do this prticular step:
1. Authorize, de-authorize and authorize again your computer in Itunes.
Tried the first 2 solutions but failed. Hope this last step would work!
Thanks,
Prax
Good Luck Prax.
Here’s the apple help on deauthorizing your computer in iTunes:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1420
You’re actually deauthorizing your computer, not your phone. So you’ll have to do this step on your computer and then sync your phone again.
Let me know how it works!
–Ben
worked great… thank you.!.!.!
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