11 Fixes to Cannot Connect to the App Store on iPhone

Whether you're seeking for new fashionable apps or want to upgrade an existing one, the App Store is where you should go. The problem is that an error message "Cannot connect to App Store" appears on your iPhone.

In this guide, we’ll guide you through why you cannot connect to the App Store on iPhone, and offer you effective solutions to troubleshoot.

Why Is Your iPhone Saying Cannot Connect to the App Store?

iPhone cannot connect to App Store can result from kinds of reasons, and we’ve concluded some of the main causes to the issue:
❌ Your iPhone is connected to the poor or unstable internet.
❌ The Apple’s servers are down.
❌ Your iPhone encountered software glitches or bugs.
❌ Your iPhone is running an outdated iOS version.

How to Fix Cannot Connect to the App Store on iPhone

The followings are 11 effective solution to help you out when you can’t connect to the App Store. Try them one after another until your issue gets fixed.

1# Check Apple’s System Status

The first thing you need to do is to check Apple’s system status. Simply open Safari and go to the Apple System Status page.

Look for the App Store on the list. If it’s marked in yellow or red, Apple’s servers are down, and you’ll have to wait until the issue is resolved.

2# Check Internet Connection

If there is nothing wrong with the Apple server itself, the next thing you may need to do is to check the internet connection on your iPhone.

You can simply check your iPhone network connection by accessing any webpage in Safari or refreshing your feed in any social media apps.

If you are not sure whether your iPhone network can stay stable, you can consider resetting network settings to prevent potential network issues that may cause unable to connect App Store.

To reset network settings, go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Choose Reset Network Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode to confirm the operation.

3# Check Date and Time

If you still cannot connect to App Store but internet working, you may check if the date and time aren't set correctly for your time zone. An easy fix to this is to set the date and time automatically.

On your iPhone Settings app > Go to General > Date & Time. Make sure the Set Automatically is enabled.

4# Force Quit & Relaunch App Store

Temporary software glitches can also make you cannot connect to the App Store on iPhone. The simple solution to it is force closing and opening it again.

On your iPhone home screen, swipe up and hold to wait for the app switcher > Locate the App Store and swipe up to force quit it.

5# Force Restart iPhone

If force restarting the App Store not working, you can try to force restart your iPhone to prevent any system problems connecting the App Store.

● Force restart iPhone 8 and later with Face ID:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears.

● Force restart iPhone SE with Home button:
Hold down the Home button and the Power button at the same time > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

6# Disable the VPN

VPN companies may feature a kill switch that disables all internet traffic if the connection fails. Thus, if you have an enabled VPN when unable to connect App Store, disabling the VPN may resolve the issue.

To disable the VPN, go to your iPhone Settings > General > Tap VPN and disconnect it.

7# Change DNS Server

Problems with your selected DNS server may prevent you from connecting to services like as the App Store. It’s kind of adventurous but workable solutions that you can change your DNS server.

To change DNS server, go to iPhone Settings > Wi-Fi > [your Network] > Configure DNS.

Options like quad9, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS may be faster, more secure, and more reliable than the DNS server provided by your internet service provider.

8# Sign Out & In App Store

Though the App Store problem is most likely due to a connectivity issue, signing out and then back in is also a nice try to troubleshoot the issue.

Go to your iPhone App Store > Tap your profile on the upper-right corner > Scroll down to the bottom, and tap Sign Out.

9# Reset All Settings

If the above methods don’t work, resetting all settings might resolve the issue without deleting your data.

To reset all settings on your iPhone, go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Choose Reset All Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode to confirm the operation.

10# Update iOS to the Latest Version

If you’re running an outdated version of iOS, you might face compatibility issues with the App Store. Updating to the latest version of iOS may resolve the problem.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

11# Fix App Store System Issues via FoneTool [High Success Rate]

If none of the above steps work, the issue could be more serious, such as a software problem. In this case, you can rely on professional system repairing software to help you out of the issue - cannot connect to the App Store on iPhone. Here we recommend FoneTool, a comprehensive iOS management tool.

It helps fix common iOS errors like black screen, freezing, boot loop, and also iOS services malfunction. Download FoneTool to your computer, and follow the steps below to fix App Store issue.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer via USB > Launch FoneTool, and go to Toolbox > Choose iOS System Repair function.

Step 2. From the pop-up window, click iOS System Repair again >  Choose Standard Mode (no data loss) or Deep Mode (erase all data) as per your situation. (Remember to fully backup your iPhone if you choose Deep Mode.)

Step 3. Download a new version of the firmware file your iPhone using > Finally, tap Start Repair to begin the troubleshooting process.

Summary

It can be frustrating if you cannot connect to the App Store on iPhone. But in most cases, it can be fixed with a few simple steps. Hope methods in this guide can help you regain access to the App Store.

If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for professional help. For more queries or feedback, feel free to contact us.