How to Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store

Cannot connect to the App store to update or download an app either on your iPhone or iPad? Looking for the methods to fix this issue? Here, you will get to know 8 methods or tips that you can try on your iDevice to fix the App store related issue.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 13, 2022
iPhone Cannot Connect to App Store

iPhone Cannot Connect to App Store

New apps are updated on the App store on a regular basis which makes iPhone or iPad users inquisitive to download them. However, in recent days, many iPhone and iPad users have reported that they got a message on their iPhone iPad when trying to connect to the App Store: “Cannot connect to the App Store” or “Unable to connect to the App Store”, and they don’t know what is actually happening.

Undoubtedly, it is one of the most annoying problems that iDevice users may face. But don’t worry about that too much. There are several methods to fix this iPhone iPad that cannot connect to App Store problem. We have posted this guide with 8 methods that users can try for the proper working of App store.

The Reasons Why App Store Not Connecting on iPhone/iPad

There could be many reasons to get this error “cannot connect to app store” on iPhone iPad. It may be a software or hardware problem which makes you go through this problem. Here, we have mentioned why you can encounter this issue:

  1. The first and most common reason that iPhone iPad users cannot connect to app store is that their iDevice is not connected with an Internet connection.
  2. The second one can be because of App store servers. If servers are down, then you will not be able to connect to the app store.
  3. Another one can be possible due to the software issue that restricts App store to load any page.

Cannot Connect to App Store? How to Fix [Video Steps]

Further Reading:

How to Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store

There are 8 effective methods to resolve App store not connecting problem and you can try them one by one on your iPhone/ iPad.

Method 1: Check Your Network Connection

First of all, check if your iDevice is connected to either a Wi-Fi or a mobile network connection. Make sure that the Internet connection is enabled. Moreover, you need to have a reliable and stable network connection to download or update apps from the app store. Otherwise, the app store will not work properly which causes to face the problem while accessing the app store. You can check both Wi-Fi and cellular connection from settings on your iPhone.

iPhone Cannot Connect to App Store

iPhone Cannot Connect to App Store

Method 2: Log Out from iTunes & App store

If you have a stable Internet connection, but still facing “iPhone cannot connect to app store” error, then sign out and sign in again to iTunes & App Store. Sometimes, it helps you in solving minor problems. So, to sign out and in with Apple ID, here are the simple steps.

Step 1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone and then, navigate to the “iTunes & App store”. Then, tap on the “Apple ID”.

Step 2. Now, tap on the “Sign Out” option. Then, again sign-in with your Apple ID by tapping on it.

Now, access the App store again and see if you are still facing the error. If yes, then move forward towards the below methods.

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store – Log out Account

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store – Log out Account

Method 3: Diagnose System Status

It may be the reason that App store server is down and no one can access it. That’s why before moving forward and make sure that there is no problem with the App Store server. You can go to the Apple system status official page to check it and the first one which will be listed is “App store”. If dot next to it is green, then it means nothing is wrong with the app store. You are facing the problem App store not connecting due to your iDevice software issue.

Fix: App Store Not Connecting - Diagnose System Status

Fix: App Store Not Connecting – Diagnose System Status

Method 4: Update your iOS

If your iPhone has got next software update, but you have not installed it, then it can be the reason why you are facing the problem. Therefore, first, check and update your iPhone to the latest iOS version and then, again connect to the app store.

Step 1. Open the Settings menu on your iPhone and then, move to the “General” menu.

Step 2. Now, tap on the “Software Update” and if next update is available and then, download & install it on your iPhone.

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store - Update iOS

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store – Update iOS

Method 5: Check Time and Date

If your iPhone date and time is not right as your country time zone, then you can encounter with cannot connect to app store error. Hence, you need to make sure that you have set the right date and time. You can check the right time for your country on the internet. To check and set it, follow below simple steps on your iPhone.

Step 1. Navigate to the Settings app and then, open the “General” settings.

Step 2. After that, tap on the “Date & Time” and if it is wrong, then you modify it.

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store - Check Time and Date

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store – Check Time and Date

Method 6: Clear the App Store Cache

Not clearing your App store cache for a long time can also put you facing the error. So, a simple way to resolve the error is to clear the cache. Just go to the “App Store” app and then, tap on the “Featured” item or any tab item 10 times. It will automatically clear the App store cache.

Method 7: Restart your iPhone

Still facing an error, then it’s time to restart your device as restarting an iPhone can solve many small problems related to software.

iPhone X or later:

Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart iPhone X and Later

Restart iPhone X and Later

iPhone 8 or earlier or iPad:

Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device completely off > Press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart iPhone 8 and Earlier

Restart iPhone 8 and Earlier

Method 8: Reset All Settings

If none of the above-mentioned is able to fix iPhone cannot connect to app store error, and then, go for reset all the settings on your iPhone.

Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > Tap on “Reset All Settings”.

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store - Reset All Settings

Fix: iPhone/iPad Cannot Connect to App Store – Reset All Settings

The Bottom Line

Hence, we have compiled every method for iPhone iPad users who are facing problems while accessing the App Store. Users can also refer to the above-mentioned methods to fix iPad cannot connect to the App Store and will be able to download or update apps seamlessly.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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