Errors 

Why can't I connect to the iTunes Store?

Apple operating systems and services are proud to be the most stable, fastest and most reliable. Indeed, within Apple services, errors and failures occur less frequently than with competitors, but this does not mean that there are no errors at all. Online services of the Apple corporation sometimes behave more unpredictably than the solutions of competitors. Especially when it comes to such a “machine” for selling and synchronizing content as iTunes.

Why do you need the iTunes Store?

Absolutely all Apple users are familiar with the iTunes program and services. This is a powerful media combine combined with a store for applications, music, podcasts, books and films. Recently, the music streaming service has also been linked to your iTunes account.

This is a necessary element of the iOS and macOS software ecosystem, without which the point of using gadgets developed in Cupertino is lost. Therefore, it is very important to have a working iTunes account that functions smoothly at all times, so that you do not lose access to your music collection and programs used on your iPhone or iPad. Alas, everything does not always function smoothly, and iTunes refuses to work, responding only with a connection error message.

Why can't I connect to the iTunes Store? Let's consider all the options that interfere with the normal operation of the service.

Checking your Internet connection

If your iPhone or iPad says “Unable to connect to the iTunes Store,” first check your Internet connection. Even though it’s banal, it happens. Sometimes, due to problems on the side of the router or even the provider, problems arise that prevent a particular computer or smartphone from accessing iTunes services. Ideally, you should have a stable Wi-Fi connection and be close to the router.

If that doesn't help, try disconnecting from Wi-Fi and connecting using cellular data. If the iTunes Store works when connected using cellular data, then you should contact your provider and see if they are blocking access to Apple services.

Problems on Apple servers

Don't forget that Apple has problems too. There was a massive collapse in March 2015 when all services associated with the iTunes Store went down. Thousands of people have tried to download an app or song but only received an error message. No one is immune from a repeat of those events, so before you start panicking and changing something on your devices, go to the official Apple website and make sure that the necessary services are highlighted in green (this signal means that the service works all over the world and everyone has access to him access).

Parental Control Settings

Sometimes a situation where you can’t connect to the iTunes Store on an iPhone, iPad or Mac arises because age restrictions were set at one time. To check this, you need to:

  • open the iTunes application;
  • go to the “File” menu (in the upper left corner);
  • select the “Settings” sub-item;
  • there you need to find the “Parental Controls/Restrictions” submenu (yellow circle with images of people);
  • when you see several “checkboxes” at the bottom, make sure there is no checkmark next to the iTunes Store; if there is, uncheck it.

In the same menu, you can open or close access to other Apple services, but only the computer administrator can do this.

Rebooting devices

If before you discovered that you couldn't connect to the iTunes Store, you were using it without problems on the same Network and with the same gadget, then you may need to resort to a mass reboot. This is perhaps the easiest way to fix anything.

Start with your router. It is enough to turn off the power by unplugging the plug from the socket, and after half a minute (this time is necessary for a complete reboot) turn it on again. If this does not help, restart your smartphone, computer or tablet. To restart your iPhone or iPad, hold down the Home button and the Lock button at the same time and wait 10 seconds. To restart your macOS computer, press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.

Setting the date and time

Apple gadgets have an interesting dependence on date and time. Many people remember the resonance caused by a glitch that destroyed smartphones and tablets simply because the date changed to 1970, which speaks of iOS’s special love for punctuality. Moreover, many devices (not necessarily from the Apple corporation) cannot access the Network at all if the wrong date is set on them, since this prevents web resources from verifying the authenticity of the certificates.

The Internet is already smart enough to calculate the time on your device and the real time in your time zone, and they should match each other. To change the date on a smartphone or tablet running iOS, you need to:

  • go to the “Basic” submenu;
  • then open the “Date and Time” sub-item;
  • then there are two ways - either you turn on the “Automatic” toggle switch, and the gadget will set the time itself, or find out the exact time and set it manually.

Logging out and logging in to your account

Another way to resolve the “Cannot connect to the iTunes Store” error is a simple “relog”. In order to do this, you must:

  • open the Settings application;
  • go to the iTunes Store and AppStore submenu;
  • click on your name (mailbox address);
  • select the “Log out” option, and then log in again and check if the service is running.

Software update

Top managers from Cupertino insist that every owner of a smartphone, tablet or computer from Apple should use only the latest software and call this almost the most important solution to all the problems that arise with their gadgets. To update your device to the latest software:

  • open the Settings application;
  • go to the “Basic” submenu;
  • select the “Software update” sub-item and wait until the update is completed.

Instead of a conclusion

Many of the procedures described above seem banal and ineffective, but in reality everything is different. The structure of Apple's cloud systems is so complex and unpredictable that a simple reboot can radically change the behavior of the gadget. Therefore, before annoying technical support employees, try all the options described above, perhaps one of them will be suitable for you, and the error"Couldn't connect to the iTunes Store" on iPad, iPhone, and Mac will disappear.