Fixing iPad Recovery Issues on Windows 11 24H2: Causes & Solutions

Windows 11 24H2 users, particularly those trying to restore their iPads via Apple Devices—including AMPDevicesAgent.exe—are hitting a frustrating snag. If you're reading this because your iPad Pro (M4) is bricked and tied up in an infinite recovery loop, we've got an in-depth dive into what's happening and actionable advice to potentially resolve your issue.
Keith Weisshar’s MacRumors post has thrown a spotlight on a bug involving the Apple Mobile Devices service on Windows 11 24H2 when attempting to restore an iPadOS device. But, hold tight—we're going to break down this issue for you and probe its deeper implications for Windows and Apple users.

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The Core Problem: What's Happening in Plain English​

Imagine plugging in your sleek iPad Pro (M4), aiming to restore or update it through iTunes (or any Apple Device service app)—only to watch the process fail dramatically. The result? Your iPad grays out into recovery mode like a stubborn ghost and refuses to budge back into usable territory.
Keith's detailed error logs point to AMPDevicesAgent.exe crashing due to violations in the Apple Mobile Devices service. Specifically, objc.dll, a shared library tied to Apple's Object-C runtime, throws a memory access violation error with code 0xC0000005. What does this mean in a practical sense? Simply put:

• The Apple service miscalculates, tries to access restricted memory, and crashes.
• Instead of completing the restoration, the process fails, leaving your device bricked in recovery mode.
• Users are stuck needing another computer—more often than not, one running macOS—to get their hardware working again.

Windows Forum users: if you're unlucky enough to encounter this under Windows 11 24H2, you aren’t alone, and there’s a lot to unpack here.

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The Technical Breakdown: What’s Going Wrong?​

AMPDevicesAgent.exe: The Culprit​

AMPDevicesAgent.exe is Apple's spearhead application responsible for device communication during updates, restores, and syncing processes. It acts as a handler for device protocols, ensuring that your system can communicate directly with iPhone or iPads plugged in via USB.
The crash happening within AMPDevicesAgent isn't generic; it specifically involves objc.dll, which supports macOS and iOS functionality on Windows machines. ObjC (Objective-C runtime library) acts as a foundational layer for every macOS/iOS app. Here, it appears to stumble over memory restrictions within Windows 11 24H2.

The Exception Code (0xC0000005)​

The error code 0xC0000005 screams of an Access Violation Error. This occurs when a program tries to read or write outside of allowed memory, often due to:

• Bugged Programming - Compatibility flaws between Apple Apps and Windows 11.
• Permissions Clampdowns in 24H2 - Microsoft's newest update may have introduced stricter memory handling or user privileges, exposing weaknesses in Apple's applications.

Essentially, AMPDevicesAgent.exe is stepping on forbidden memory and triggers meltdown. Think of it like stepping on gum in your best shoes. Windows says, “Nope!”—and everything grinds to a halt.

Windows 11 24H2: A Misfire in Apple's Optimization?​

Windows 11 24H2 introduces security, memory, and driver model improvements—a blessing for overall system resilience but clearly causing headaches for Apple’s ecosystem integration. Major culprits could include:

• Enhanced Memory Protections: Fine-tuned heap allocations and address randomization layers make misbehaving programs hit deadlocks sooner.
• Driver Code Breakage: If Apple’s Windows drivers aren’t updated for 24H2 standards, subsystems tied to USB Device Management (guessing here, AMPDevicesAgent) may fail under stress.

For deep tech nerds: symbol-based debugging of AMPDevicesAgent.exe may reveal more, especially related to Apple's lack of regression testing on these newer Windows builds.

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Broader Implications for Windows and Apple Ecosystems​

This isn't just an annoyance. Bugs like this expose deeper problems between proprietary ecosystems:

• Apple's Windows Support Gap: It’s no secret that Apple’s engineering focus leans heavily toward macOS development. Their Windows integration apps (think iTunes, iCloud, Apple Devices) are notoriously glitchy and occasionally outdated. This incident highlights a vital need for Apple to modernize AMPDevicesAgent.exe to adapt cleanly to Windows 11's fast-moving changes.
• Microsoft vs. Third-Party Dependencies: Updates like 24H2 tighten security but unintentionally disrupt the functionality of third-party services that haven't aligned development and testing workflows.
• The Consumer Fallout: Users stuck in cross-platform limbo—like trying to recover an iPad Pro on a Windows 11 PC—have limited troubleshooting avenues. Many users need secondary, macOS-supported devices just to complete diagnostics—a nonsense dependency for folks loyal to both ecosystems.

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Potential Workarounds​

So, what can you do if you’re caught in this frustrating scenario? Here are a few solutions while we wait for official patches:

1. Use a Non-Windows 11 24H2 Device​

You may need to use an older version of Windows or a macOS device to restore your iPad. Sadly, this feels more like a temporary dodge than a fix.

2. Uninstall & Reinstall Apple Drivers​

• Fully uninstall Apple Mobile Devices Support and iTunes.
• Reinstall the latest stable version directly from Apple's website.
• Check whether this refresh resolves corrupted drivers causing AMPDevicesAgent.exe to fail.

3. Run Compatibility Modes​

On Windows 11:

• Navigate to AMPDevicesAgent.exe within C:\Program Files\WindowsApps.
• Right-click > Properties > Compatibility mode.
• Test legacy configurations, e.g., Windows 7 or 10 emulation.

4. Turn Off Windows Security Mitigations​

While not advised long-term, disabling heightened memory controls via Settings > Privacy & Security Protection may allow broken applications to function. Commit cautiously here.

5. Third-Party Recovery Tools​

Software like iMazing, Tenorshare Reiboot, or Dr.Fone specializes in salvaging bricked iPads. They operate independently of AMPDevicesAgent.exe and often succeed if the Apple process fully breaks down.

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Looking Forward: Will Apple or Microsoft Fix This?​

The ball firmly sits in both companies' courts:

• Apple Needs a Hotfix: They must patch Apple Devices to comply with Windows 11 24H2’s updated architecture. Ideally, this happens swiftly—you know, before forums like WindowsForum and MacRumors explode with more posts about bricked iPads.
• Microsoft Collaboration: Ideally, Microsoft could provide developer outreach, focusing on empowering third-party application stability. But let’s be real—this isn’t their primary problem.

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The Takeaway​

Restoring an iPad Pro (M4) to iPadOS 18.2 under Windows 11 24H2 is quickly proving anything but seamless. Demands for better Windows-Apple interoperability are growing—and this specific error underscores the tricky balancing act required for both ecosystems to coexist peacefully.
The workaround options may prove helpful to users—but ultimately, both companies owe their users a lasting technical fix. Until then, stay vigilant—test software updates cautiously, keep extra recovery devices handy, and monitor announcements from Apple’s support channels.
Let’s hope for a smoother cross-platform future, because this level of drama belongs in TV shows, not tech workflows.

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Source: MacRumors Forums Apple Devices fail to restore iPad under Windows 11 24H2.