When you try to open the iTunes Store, you might see a "Cannot connect to iTunes Store" alert message or something similar. Choose your device below for help.
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.
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Mac or PC
Apple TV(4th generation)On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
After each step, try to open the iTunes Store.
- Tap Settings > General > Date & Time. Make sure your date, time, and time zone are set correctly.
- Make sure that your iOS device is connected to Wi-Fi. Learn what to do if it won't connect.
If you're using cellular service to connect to the Internet, make sure that you have cellular data for the iTunes Store turned on. To do so, tap Settings > Cellular and make sure that iTunes Store is set to On. - If you're using cellular data, larger items might not download. You might need to connect to Wi-Fi to download apps, videos, and podcasts.
- See if other devices can connect to the Wi-Fi network and access the Internet. 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, get more help.
- Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS.
If you can’t connect to the iTunes Store after more than a day, check with your Internet service provider. Ask them to confirm that the servers and ports that the iTunes Store uses are set up correctly for your network.
On your Mac or PC
If you can't connect to the iTunes Store on your computer, these steps might help you fix the issue.
On your Mac
After each step, try to open the iTunes Store.
- Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are set correctly on your Mac.
- Check your Internet connection.
- Make sure that you have the latest macOS version installed: From the menu bar at the top of your screen, choose Apple () > Software Update. If you don't see Software Update, choose Apple > App Store and click the Updates tab at the top of the App Store window.
- Make sure that you have the latest versions of iTunes and Safari.
- If you're using an application firewall, make sure that it's set up to allow incoming connections from iTunes. Learn how to correctly set up your firewall.
If you still can’t connect to the iTunes Store, try these advanced steps. You can also check with your Internet service provider. Ask them to confirm that the servers and ports that the iTunes Store uses are set up correctly for your network.
If there's still an issue, get more help.
On your PC
After each step, try to open the iTunes Store.
- Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are set correctly on your PC.
- Make sure that your computer can access the Internet.
- Check that your operating system is up to date.
- Make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes.
- Check 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.
- Your hosts file might be the cause. For example, some workplaces might put internal resources in the hosts file that block the iTunes Store. Learn how to reset the hosts file back to the default.
If you still can’t connect to the iTunes Store, try these advanced steps. You can also check with your Internet service provider. Ask them to confirm that the servers and ports that the iTunes Store uses are set up correctly for your network.
Does the iTunes Store open, but you see only a blank white screen with the words “iTunes Store”? Try to fix the conflicts between software that monitors Internet traffic and Apple software.
On your Apple TV
After each step, try to open the iTunes Store.
- Make sure that the date, time, and time zone are set correctly: Go to Settings > General > Date and Time.
- Make sure that you have an active network connection: Go to Settings > Network.
- Check to see if other devices, such as computers or tablets, can connect to Wi-Fi and access the Internet.
- Check to see if your Apple TV software is up to date: Select Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software.
- Turn your Wi-Fi router off and then on again to reset it.
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."
Learn more
- Did the steps above fix your issue? If not, and you get an error that isn't listed in this article, see if it's listed as a possible iTunes Store error.
- If you can't make or redownload purchases from the iTunes Store, make sure you're signed in with your Apple ID. Learn how to find your Apple ID or what to do if you forgot your Apple ID password.
Store availability and features might vary by country or region.