15 Ways to Fix “Can’t Connect to App Store” on iPhone or iPad 

Whether you’re looking for trendy new apps or planning to update an existing app, there’s nowhere to go but the App Store.

The App Store is often responsive and easy to use. In some cases, you will see the “Can’t connect to App Store error”error message on your iPhone. If this is you, don’t worry, I’ve covered a few fixes and troubleshooting steps to get you out of the error so you can go about your business on the App Store.

1. Try connecting again

The “Unable to connect to the App Store”error message also contains a “Retry”button below it. You’ve probably already tried this, but just in case, try tapping it a few times to see if it connects your iPhone or iPad to the App Store.

Try changing your location before doing this. It may just be a slight delay in the connection. If not, read on.

2. Check the App Store servers

Before blaming your Wi-Fi connection or your iPhone for the problem, it’s best to first check if the error is related to Apple’s servers. In rare cases, the App Store error occurs due to server issues.

To be sure, go to Apple’s system status page and check if the App Store server (with a green circle next to it) is available. If you see a yellow circle, there may be a technical glitch in the App Store.

In this case, there is nothing you can do but wait for Apple to fix the problem.

3. Check your internet connection

This is not a problem, but be sure to check if your internet connection is working. Connecting to the App Store requires an internet connection, either through Wi-Fi, mobile data, or a hotspot.

You can check by simply launching Safari and checking if you can browse the web. If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, make sure it’s turned on, stable, and properly configured. The same is true for data connections and hotspots.

Here are a few things you can do to fix possible network connection issues:

Reconnect your iPhone or iPad to your Wi-Fi network.

If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, check the Wi-Fi indicators on your iPhone or iPad to see how many are showing. If there are 4 to 5 bars, your Wi-Fi signal is relatively good, but if it is two or less, then your Wi-Fi connection is the culprit for the App Store error.

You can disconnect your iPhone or iPad from the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to see if things improve. Do it:

1. Go to “Settings”→ “Wi-Fi”and tap the “More Information”icon (i) next to the selected Wi-Fi network.
2. Select “Forget this network”and reconnect to the network.

Make sure you know the password before forgetting the network.

Allow the App Store to use a data connection

If you’re using a cellular data connection, you might see the “Can’t connect to the App Store”error because the App Store isn’t allowed to use your data connection.

To fix this, open Settings → Cellular and scroll through the apps until you see the App Store. Then toggle the switch next to App Store. This allows the app to use your cellular data to perform actions such as updates and downloads.

Restart your Wi-Fi router.

Perhaps the problem is not with your iPhone or iPad, but with your router. One way to do this is to open your router’s settings page through your web browser (assuming you have cellular data for that) and then reboot your router.

Another way is to manually check if the small light is on and if there are any other unusual blinks happening. If something doesn’t look right, restart it by turning it off for a few minutes before turning it back on.

You should call your network provider to resolve the issue if the issue persists.

Change DNS settings

If you still can’t connect, try changing your DNS settings.

Go to “Settings”→ “Wi-Fi”and tap the “More Information”icon (i) next to the selected Wi-Fi network. Select “Configure DNS”and switch it to “Manual”. Delete the current DNS server by pressing the red button, then enter 8.8.8.8, 4.2.2.2 or 144.144.144.144.

Go back to the App Store and see if that solves the problem.

Try a different Wi-Fi network

When all else fails, try a different Wi-Fi network and see if it works. Your current Wi-Fi network may be more restrictive than other networks, preventing you from connecting to the App Store. Or maybe it’s too weak and unstable to use.

4. Force close and restart the App Store.

Temporary glitches can also cause the App Store to crash like any other app. The best way to fix this issue is to force quit the app and restart it.

To force close an app, open the app switcher, find the App Store, and swipe up. How you can open the app switcher depends on your phone. When you’re done closing the app, restart it.

5. Turn on / off the flight mode

Airplane mode is another magic pill that solves many of the connection and network issues you might have on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, you need to access the Control Center.

On a device with Face ID: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen.

On a device with Touch ID: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.

Then tap the airplane mode icon. Wait a minute before touching it again to turn it off. Restart the App Store to see if this trick solved your App Store issue.

6. Clear the App Store cache.

If the App Store is still not working, try clearing its cache. This may help remove temporary files that may be causing the problem. As with other apps, long lines of code tell the App Store how to work.

Programs use a “cache”to store temporary information. If the cached data is corrupted, it can cause unexpected issues such as the App Store not loading. Deleting this data will reset the app again.

To do this, go to the application and quickly tap any of the tabs at the bottom of the screen 10 times in a row. You will not receive any notification on your screen that your App Store cache has been cleared.

Open the app switcher and exit the app before relaunching.

7. Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.

An outdated OS can lead to a lot of bugs, so it’s a good idea to update your iPhone or iPad every time a new update is released. Updating your device software helps fix bugs and crashes, and “Can’t connect to the App Store”is a system error on your iPhone or iPad.

To update your device’s OS:

1. Go to “Settings”→ “General”.
2. Tap Software Update. Your device will check for available updates that may be available for your iPhone or iPad. If an update is available, click Update and Install.

8. Sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in.

Sometimes logging out of your Apple ID can fix issues with apps associated with it, such as Apple Music and the App Store.

Note. Before signing out of your Apple ID, make sure you know your Apple ID password. Remember that your Apple ID is the only way to access Apple services and all your Apple devices.

To sign out, go to Settings, then tap your name at the top. Scroll down and click Sign Out. You will be asked to enter a password to confirm your actions.

After that, go back to “Settings”to log in again.

9. Sign out of the App Store

If the method above doesn’t work, you can try a similar method that comes out of the App Store. To do this, go to Settings → [your profile] → Media & Purchases. Click Sign Out, then sign in again.

10. Turn on your location

Sometimes the App Store may not work as smoothly if your location is disabled. Turning it on might help it work. Do it:

1. Go to “Settings”→ “Privacy and Security”.
2. Tap Location Services and turn it on.
3. Scroll down and find the App Store and change “Never”to “Ask next time”, “When I share”, or “When using the app”.

11. Disable VPN

If you have a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your device or use VPN apps, you may want to disable it for a while. Different countries have different access to the App Store.

Therefore, if your VPN is located in a different country than the one in which your App Store is located, it may prevent the App Store from loading. To turn it off, go to Settings → General → VPN and device management. Click VPN, then turn it off.

12. Check your time and date settings

It is also important to correctly set the date and time on your phone, as this is necessary for some services to connect. It is imperative that your device’s date and time are in sync with your location’s time zone so that the App Store can connect.

To check your date and time settings, go to Settings → General → Date and Time. Make sure the “Install automatically”option is enabled.

13. Force restart

Force restart is another way to update your iPhone or iPad. This can help the App Store load properly if it’s not working due to a minor bug or software glitch. Restarting your iPhone or iPad can also fix issues related to its network or software.

The method to force restart your iPhone or iPad depends on your model, so be sure to check the instructions for your device. After a forced restart, you can open the App Store again and see if it works.

14. Reset network settings

Resetting network settings can also help resolve the “Can’t connect to the App Store”issue. This method is handy if you’ve tried all the other solutions but nothing worked. This method only erases your Wi-Fi and cellular network settings, but does not delete your data.

Just make sure you know all your passwords before you start, as this will remove any existing network settings. To reset network settings:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Reset → Reset Network Settings.
3. If necessary, enter a password and select “Reset network settings”again.
4. Finally, tap “Reset Network Settings”again to confirm the reset and restart your device.

After that, you can open the App Store and see if it works. If this still doesn’t work, you can restart your iPhone or iPad.

15. Network reset

Install If all else fails, resetting your iPhone to factory settings is a last resort. While unlikely, the “Can’t connect to the App Store”issue could be caused by deeper software issues that can be fixed with a factory reset.

However, this will reset your device to its default mode, so be sure to back up your important files before continuing. Here is what you need to do to restart your device:

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Choose Reset → Reset All Settings.
3. Enter your password to confirm.

Once the reset is complete, your device will reboot. After that, you can try connecting to the App Store again and see if it works.

Contact Apple Support

If all else fails and none of the solutions above worked, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can verify your account and help you troubleshoot potential problems preventing you from downloading the App Store.

Completion…

Can’t connect to the App Store is an error that can occur on your iPhone or iPad due to various reasons such as poor internet connection, incorrect network settings, VPN enabled, and others. If you are facing this problem, try the above solutions and hopefully one of them will work for you.

Which one worked for you? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share any other tips or tricks that have worked for you.