If you are having trouble connecting to the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, there are a few quick things you can try to resolve the issue.
Check your internet connection
The most common reason you may be unable to connect to the App Store is an unstable or weak internet connection. Here are some tips for troubleshooting your connection:
- Make sure you have an active Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Enable Wi-Fi or cellular data if they are disabled.
- Restart your device to refresh the network connection.
- Check if other apps can access the internet. If it’s only the App Store having issues, the problem may be specific to the App Store app.
- Reset network settings on your device to clear any connection issues. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Network Settings.
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch to cellular data if you are currently on a weak Wi-Fi connection.
- If on cellular data, check coverage in your area. Move to an area with better signal strength if available.
Check App Store service status
Sometimes issues connecting to the App Store may be due to problems on Apple’s side. Check https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/ or the system status page in Settings to see if the App Store or other Apple services are experiencing downtime or an outage.
Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Having the latest iOS software can help resolve any bugs that may be preventing the App Store from working properly. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for and install available updates.
Force close the App Store app
A glitch with the App Store app itself could be the culprit. Try force closing the App Store app to see if this fixes it:
- Double click the Home button to show open apps.
- Swipe up on the App Store app preview to close it.
- Reopen the App Store app.
Check restrictions and parental controls
If you have restrictions or parental controls enabled, the App Store may be blocked. Check the restrictions in Settings to make sure the App Store is allowed.
Reset the App Store
Resetting the App Store can clear out any corrupted files or issues with the app and starts it with a clean slate. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Reset App Store.
- Enter your device passcode if prompted.
This will reset the App Store app back to its default settings without deleting any apps.
Check Apple ID and sign-in issues
Signing into your Apple ID is required to access the App Store. If you are logged out or having account issues, this can prevent App Store connections.
- Make sure you are signed into your Apple ID in the App Store app and in your device Settings.
- If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to complete the sign-in process.
- If you don’t remember your password, use password recovery options to reset it.
- Ensure your Apple ID payment method is valid if you are trying to download paid apps.
- Check the App Store app’s permissions in Settings to ensure it has access to your contacts, photos, etc. if needed.
Uninstall and reinstall the App Store
If all else fails, you can uninstall the App Store app from your device and download it again. This will completely refresh the app and its data. To do this:
- Hold down on the App Store icon until the icons start to jiggle.
- Tap the X on the App Store app to delete it.
- Go to the App Store listing on the web or through iTunes to reinstall the App Store app.
- Sign in again with your Apple ID.
Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all of these troubleshooting steps and are still unable to access the App Store, reach out to Apple Support for further help. You can contact them by:
- Scheduling a support call at https://getsupport.apple.com.
- Chatting online with an Apple Support advisor at https://support.apple.com.
- Bringing your device to an Apple Store for in-person support.
Be prepared to provide details about when the issue started, what troubleshooting you’ve tried, and any error messages you are seeing. This will help Apple Support quickly diagnose the problem and provide the proper help.
Common App Store connection issues
Here are some of the most common specific errors and issues that can prevent the App Store from working and suggestions for fixing them:
“Cannot Connect to App Store”
- Check your network connection and try again over a different Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- If the error started after updating iOS, the update may have been interrupted. Erase and fully reinstall the latest iOS update.
“Cannot Establish a Secure Connection to the Server”
- This could indicate a problem with the server or your network. Try connecting again later or via a different network.
- Old network settings may be causing conflicts. Reset network settings on your device.
“App Store is Disabled” or “Restricted”
- Check restrictions in Settings to make sure App Store access isn’t disabled.
- If using a device issued by work or school, App Store access may be restricted by network policies.
Apps Waiting for a Long Time to Install
- Slow or stalled app downloads are usually caused by network connectivity issues. Pause then resume the downloads to restart them.
- Check the speeds you are getting on other devices on the same network to isolate connectivity problems.
- Restarting your device can clear any stuck app installs.
Signed Out of App Store
- Recheck your Apple ID password and sign into your account again if you have been signed out of the App Store.
- Enable Keychain to help you stay signed into your Apple ID across apps and restarts.
App Store Apps Are “Waiting” or “Loading”
- Try force quitting and reopening the App Store app if it is stuck.
- Check that your date and time settings are set correctly on your device.
- Disable VPN or change your DNS settings to your ISP’s default servers if you think they may be causing interference.
App Store Asking for Apple ID Verification
- If your account asks you to verify your Apple ID information when using the App Store, re-enter your information to confirm your identity.
- This can happen if you change your account password or payment details.
Error “This Apple ID Has Not Yet Been Used With The iTunes Store”
- For new Apple ID accounts, you may need to sign in to iCloud and agree to the Apple Media Services terms before using the App Store.
- Navigate to https://appleid.apple.com to review and accept the latest terms and conditions.
Payment Errors When Trying to Download Paid Apps
- If your payment method on file declines, add a new valid payment method or correct your existing method details and try again.
- Check that your billing address is up to date on your account.
- Contact your bank or card issuer if you continually get unexplained payment errors.
Slow or Stuck App Downloads
- Check your network speeds and performance to rule out connection issues.
- Restart your device and router if downloads frequently get interrupted or stalled.
- Delete apps you are not using to clear space if your device storage is nearly full.
Tips to avoid App Store connection problems
Here are some tips to help prevent issues accessing the App Store in the future:
- Keep your device’s iOS up to date so you have the latest fixes and improvements.
- Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network or strong LTE/5G signal when using the App Store.
- Close unused apps and tabs to maximize your device’s performance.
- Back up your device regularly so you can revert to a working backup if needed.
- Don’t jailbreak your device as this can cause issues with App Store connectivity.
- If you switched Apple IDs, sign out completely from your old ID and sign in with your new one.
Conclusion
With a few simple checks and tweaks, you should be able to get the App Store up and running again on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Start with the basics like checking your network status, restarting your device, force closing the App Store app, and making sure your Apple ID is properly signed-in. If the problem persists, resetting your device network settings or resetting the App Store app itself can often resolve deeper issues. Contact Apple support if you need additional help getting your App Store connectivity back on track.
