If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services

Here's what to do if you see a "Cannot connect" message. These steps also work if the app won't load anything or stops while content is downloading.

Try these steps if you can't connect to any of these apps or services:

  • App Store
  • iTunes Store
  • Game Center
  • Apple Books app
  • Apple Music app
  • Apple Fitness+
  • Apple TV app
  • Apple News app

Check the system status page

Make sure that your device is connected to the Internet

Use any Internet browser to connect to any website. If nothing loads, 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 off your Wi-Fi router, then turn it 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, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac.

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 app that you're using. To do this, open the Settings app, tap Cellular, then turn on Cellular Data.

Update your software

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: Open the Settings app. Tap General, then tap Date & Time. Get more help with date and time.
On your Mac: Open System Preferences, then choose Date & Time.
On your Apple TV: Go to Settings > General > Date and Time.

If the date and time are incorrect, update them or turn on the option to set date and time automatically.

If you still can't connect

If you tried all of the above steps and you still can't connect, contact Apple Support.

If you see a different connection alert message

Use the steps above if you see one of 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."
  • "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."

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