When you try to open the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or App Store, you might see a "Cannot connect to iTunes Store" alert message or something similar. The iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store may also not load anything at all, or unexpectedly stop in the middle of downloading content.
If you have a separate issue where iTunes doesn’t recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when you connect the device to your computer using a USB cable, get help.
Store availability and features might vary by country or region. Learn more about what's available in your country or region.
Check your connection
Make sure that your device is connected to the Internet. Try using an Internet browser to connect to any website and see if it loads. If it doesn't, use another device on the same network to see if it can connect to any website. If no other devices can access the Internet, turn your Wi-Fi router off and then on again to reset it. If you still can’t connect to your Wi-Fi network, contact your Internet provider for more help. If only your first device can’t connect to the Internet, get help with Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
If you use cellular service to connect to the Internet on your iPhone or iPad, make sure that you have cellular data turned on for the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, and App Store: Go to Settings > Cellular, and turn on Cellular Data.
Check System Status
Visit the Apple System Status page to see if there are interruptions in service in your country or region.
Update your account
If you're not able to access the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store because you can't log in with your Apple ID, learn how to reset your Apple ID password. If you recently changed your Apple ID or password, you might have to sign out and sign back in: Go to Settings > [your photo] > iTunes & App Store. Tap your Apple ID, sign out, then tap Sign In to log in again.
If you're asked to verify your payment information, make sure that your payment method, first and last name, and billing address are correct and exactly match what's on file with your financial institution.
Update your software
Update to the latest versions of iOS, macOS, tvOS, iTunes, or your PC's operating system. Then try to connect to the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store again.
Check the date and time
Make sure that the date and time on your device are set correctly for your time zone.
On your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Get more help with date and time.
On your Mac: Open System Preferences > Date & Time.
On your Apple TV: Go to Settings > General > Date and Time.
On your PC: Search for timedate.cpl using the search box or Search charm.
If they're not, set the correct date and time, or turn on the option to set it automatically.
Advanced steps
If you still can't connect to the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or App Store, try these advanced steps.
On your iPhone, iPad,
On your Mac or PC
On your Apple TVOn your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- If you're using cellular data to connect to the Internet, larger items might not download. You might need to connect to Wi-Fi to download games, apps, videos, and podcasts.
- Depending on the size of the content you're downloading and the speed of your Internet connection, some items might take longer than expected to download.
On your Mac or PC
Learn what to do if you see error -45054 in the iTunes Store. If you don't see error -45054, follow the steps for your computer.
On your Mac
By default, the built-in application firewall for macOS automatically allows applications signed by Apple to receive incoming connections. If you've adjusted the settings for your application firewall, you might need to allow incoming connections. If the issue persists, reset the cache of accepted certificates:
- Click your desktop to make sure that you're in Finder.
- From the menu at the top of your computer screen, choose Go > Go to Folder.
- In the box, enter
/var/db/crls/. - Click Go.
- Drag the files labeled
crlcache.dbandocspcache.dbto the Trash. - If prompted, enter your administrator password.
- Restart your computer, then try to connect to the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or App Store.
On your PC
- Check to see if you've turned on third-party security software or Windows Firewall. If you have, your settings might not let you connect to the iTunes Store, and you might need to change them.
- Check your Windows proxy server settings.
- If you see only a blank white screen with the words iTunes Store on it, you might have a conflict between software that monitors Internet traffic and Apple software.
On your Apple TV
- If you can't connect to the iTunes Store, App Store, or any streaming video services, make sure you have an active network connection in Settings > Network. Get help with Wi-Fi networks on your Apple TV.
Other connection alert messages
The steps in this article can also help you fix issues that are related to these error messages:
- "Cannot connect to the iTunes Store. An unknown error has occurred."
- "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The iTunes Store is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
- "iTunes could not connect to the iTunes Store. Make sure your network connection is active and try again."
- "We could not complete your iTunes Store request. The network connection could not be established. There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try again later."
Get more help
- If you still can't connect, and you get an error that isn't listed in this article, see if it's listed as a possible iTunes Store error.
- Some networks (such as at offices or schools) might not allow connections to the servers and ports that the iTunes Store uses. Ask your network administrator to open access to iTunes Store servers and ports.
- If you’ve tried all of the above steps and you still can’t connect, contact Apple Support.