Bits from Bill
Do I need Apple Mobile Device Service?
As often as possible, I like to review the list of programs that our WinPatrol members are asking for PLUS Info on. This gives me a good idea of what programs have suddenly been appearing on a users system often without their knowledge.
Most of this year the number one PLUS Info request has been about “GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe”. This little program pops up now and then especially since so many new machines are coming with the Google Toolbar pre-installed. Click here for our PLUS Info
This week a new Windows “service” has suddenly appeared in our top ten. When users upgrade to iTunes 7.3, it comes with a new Automatic Service just in case you’re the proud owner of an iPhone. The file is named “AppleMobileDeviceService.exe” and can be found in your list of Services either using WinPatrol or Services.msc which comes with Windows. Apple says, it “Provides the interface to Apple mobile devices.”
It only takes up 3,640K of memory when at rest but if you don’t have an iPhone you really don’t need it. You can stop it with WinPatrol and set it to Manual startup. You’ll also find it under the list of programs in the Add/Remove Control Panel applet so it can be removed completely from there.To add insult to injury, Apple also just tried to change my default MP3 player to iTunes
Give me a break Apple. This is yet another example of companies who think they can just take over your whole machine. I’m obviously biased but you can protect yourself by downloading WinPatrol for free. If you’re not sure a program can be removed, upgrade to WinPatrol PLUS.
posted by Unknown | 12:04 AM
27 Comments:
Well i'm rather disappointed with apple, itunes sucks, demands too much band, and give me more headaches then windows itself, and now installing something without asking me.
Apple is spying on you with AT&T in return for the SEC letting Jobs off the hook on the options scandal...
I just stopped the service using Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del, look at running processes) then went to the nifty new folder Apple installed C://Program Files/Common Files/ Apple/Mobile Device Support/bin and added xxx to each .exe file such as AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
becomes:
AppleMobileDeviceServicexxx.exe.
reboot and it stops running at startup
IMO if you just use task manager to kill, then delete it from C:, windows still takes the time to look for it each startup, and Apple may just re-install next update.
Use Control Panel -> Admin Tools -> Services , find Apple Mobile Device, right click -> properties. Click stop, then change startup type to Disabled. Proper permanent fix (I think)
Yup, that's exactly what I would recommend. The services.msc program is what is run when you click on Services in the Control Panel.
Using either WinPatrol or the Services applet you can set this service to "Disabled".
If Apple re-enables it to Automatic then I'll probably add a feature to WinPatrol to alert folks if someone changes the Services setting. Or like we do for File Types and Startup Programs I can let people lock the settings they want so it's automatic.
Thanks!
Bill
iTunes is lame. I use winamp and don't have an iPhone.
Press the "Start" button. ->
Press the "Run..." option ->
type "msconfig" in the box that pops up and press enter ->
press the "Services" tab ->
go through the list and untick whatever service you don't want running.. ->
press "apply" ->
press "Ok" ->
choose whether you want to restart now or later.
and thats about it..
enjoy.
i dont understand, i have a touch ipod NOT and iphone and suddenly i cannot sync it to my computer because i dont have "apple mobile device service"?
ALL media players try to make their player default.. all you have to do is READ the prompts and CHOOSE not to. The real problem with Apple is the Bonjour service!
Make sure to remember to remove Apple's crap networking piece, Bonjour, that installs with itunes as well.
It shows up in Add/Remove programs.
All you have to do is to go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and click the Remove button for Apple Mobile Device Support. Poof, its gone!
I don't have an iPhone - but I do have an iPod touch. Should I leave the service enabled?
Good article and I fully agree with companies loading all sorts of crap
looks like they're trying to sell car parts as well now - geez give me a break can we please get off this old school american dream, and stop loading your crap on my pc
I Need help.. iTunes will not download on to my PC as it says that Apple Mobile Device could not be installed.. What do i do.!!!
Didn't Microsoft go through this and get sued with monopoly litigation about 10 years ago for putting something (IE) on the package that people could easily take off when they got their PC? They spent millions and paid out millions of $s to fight this. Now it is common place...and noone says anything. The war on capitalism is only against those who you pick to be your enemy.
Yes, it is a hassle to deal with and I wish they would stop. Could we get a class action lawsuit going on every company that does this? Just a thought.
Funny.
I NEED HELP!! Ok wtf?! all of a sudden my itunes wont let me sync my ipod because i dont have the apple mobile device or something, plz help me now! lol my ipod died and i need it! D=
If you're getting the "Apple Mobile Device Service Has Not Been Started" error I have written an entire tutorial on how to fix this.
http://www.crainbandy.com/software/fix-the-iphone-apple-mobile-device-has-not-been-started-error
To the people that have had a problem with their "i"whatevers... just reinstall iTunes and your problem should be solved. but don't forget to get rid of Bonjour again, after you do. :-)
ok,let me get this straight cus my husband gave me his old computer. Well, half of it cus he can't remember his pw for the other account on it. There is NO itunes on this computer so... I can get rid of anything Apple or Bonjour? (I'm running Windows) I need all the room I can get on this poor thing. Thanks.
I have tried to disable AppleMobileDeviceService with WinPatrolPlus and nothing happens. Using Task Manager I can disable, but I have to disable it Each Time after Start up.
Maybe you missed something dude, read and read first before taking any action.
I have an IPhone so I guess I need the Apple Mobile Device. My problem is that it is using 90+ of my CPU. Now what?
I have an iphone(regrettably) and it'll be a cold day in hell when I download itunes or any piece of apple software again... same goes for windows.
If you are having a problem with an Apple product, have you considered contacting Apple (www.apple.com/support/) instead of posting an anonymous comment in the wrong place? Contact the right people and you might get the help you're looking for.
Yea! We need Apple mobile device service...Thanks a lot!
Hello, I have a dell with microsoft. I found Apple Mobile Device Support and 2 other apple programs on my computer that I am not sure if i need to keep my computer running soundly. I have had the computer for 5 years and the programs were installed, without my knowledge this January. Is there a possability that they may cause problems with my Microsoft programing?
At work I take photos with my Iphone of products that I would later transfer to company client PC. After Iphone update the PC's wouldn't recognize my phone. My network admin did not wnant Itunes running on our system. His solution?
He installed Itunes then Un-installed Itunes. Apparently the un-install will not remove the AMDS from the system services because I now can copy my photo' again. crappy but clever workaround.
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