App Store Not Working? Fix Cannot Connect and Stuck Downloads
When the App Store says “Cannot connect,” check Apple’s System Status page first. If the App Store row shows an issue, Apple is working on it and you can only wait. If the row is clear, Apple’s support article points to your internet connection, outdated software or a wrong date and time setting, and gives a fix for each.
Downloads that never finish and purchases that fail are separate problems with their own causes, covered below. Our live Apple services status page tracks the App Store together with iMessage and FaceTime.
Is the App Store down right now?
The App Store is down only when Apple says so on its System Status page. That page lists App Store, Mac App Store, Apple Account, Subscription Purchase and iTunes Store as separate rows. A sign-in failure shows under Apple Account, not under App Store, so read both.
- Open Apple System Status and look at the App Store and Apple Account rows.
- Check our Apple services status page for reports from other people.
- Open any website on the same iPhone, iPad or Mac. If nothing loads, the problem is the connection, not the App Store.
The meaning of status labels and incident updates is covered in how to read a status page.
How do I fix “Cannot connect” in the App Store?
Apple’s article “If you can’t connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or other Apple services” gives these steps in this order:
- Check the System Status page for an outage in your country or region.
- Make sure the device is online by loading a website. If other devices on the same network can get online, Apple says to check your VPN and any third-party security software. If no device can get online, turn the Wi-Fi router off, wait, and turn it back on.
- On cellular data, open Settings, tap Cellular and make sure Cellular Data is on for the app you are using.
- Update to the latest iOS, iPadOS or macOS, then try again.
- Check the date and time. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > Date & Time. On a Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Date & Time. Match your time zone or turn on automatic date and time.
- Try a different network. If the App Store works there, contact your network administrator or internet provider about the first network.
If none of these steps help, Apple says a service outage might have just started, so try again later. When no device in the house can get online, start with the home internet checks instead.
Why is my app download stuck?
A download that never finishes often moves again after two steps from Apple’s article “If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad.” First, touch and hold the app on the Home Screen and choose Prioritize Download. Second, restart the iPhone or iPad and check again.
The same article lists three account reasons downloads fail:
- A valid payment method may be required, even for free apps.
- A problem with your payment method, shown as “billing problem with previous purchase” or “verification required,” can block downloads and updates.
- In some countries or regions, you may need to confirm that you are an adult before downloading certain apps.
For an update that never starts, Apple’s article also links to steps for updating the app manually. If the article’s tips do not help, Apple says to contact Apple Support.
Why does my App Store purchase keep failing?
Most failed purchases trace back to the payment method, not to the App Store itself. Apple’s support pages describe these messages:
| What you see | What Apple says it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “Billing problem with a previous purchase” | Apple could not charge your payment method for an earlier purchase, so you have an unpaid balance | Fix the payment information, add a new method, or pay with Apple Account credit |
| “Verification required” | The same unpaid balance | The same fixes as above |
| Payment method declined | Your bank or card issuer declined the charge | Add a different payment method, remove the old one, and ask your bank why |
| “Cannot connect” | The device cannot reach Apple’s servers | Follow the connection steps above |
To replace a payment method on iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name and tap Payment & Shipping. Tap Add Payment Method and enter the new one. Then tap Edit, tap the red delete button next to the old method and tap Remove. Apple’s article “If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store” says Apple does not have information about why a payment was declined. Only your bank or card issuer can tell you. Apple adds that some banks must allow international purchases first, and some cards need approval through an app or a text message.
An unpaid balance also blocks new purchases and free downloads until it is paid. Apple’s fix is to open Payment & Shipping, choose Fix Payment Information and tap Try Again, or to add a working payment method, which Apple then charges automatically.
How do I avoid paying twice or falling for a scam?
Do not tap Buy again and again when a purchase fails. Check Purchase History first: open Settings, tap your name, then Media & Purchases, View Account and Purchase History. Unpaid orders are marked in red with “Amount You Owe.”
Fake “support” numbers can appear in search ads, texts and pop-ups. Apple’s scam guidance says to hang up on any unsolicited call from someone claiming to be Apple Support, and never to use Apple Gift Cards to pay other people. Reach Apple only through support.apple.com or the Apple Support app. For other payment apps, see safe checks when payment apps are down.
What if a child’s device can’t buy or download apps?
Family settings are a common cause. With Family Sharing and Ask to Buy, the family organizer has to approve each request from a child’s device. Screen Time can also block purchases; Apple’s article on in-app purchases puts that control under Settings > Screen Time > Apps & Websites > App Store. If purchase sharing is on, a billing problem can come from the organizer’s payment method, and Apple says the organizer can update it.
Bottom line
Check the App Store and Apple Account rows on Apple System Status first. If both are clear, test the connection, update the software and fix the date and time. For a failed purchase, look at Purchase History before you try again, and fix the payment method rather than retrying the same card.
FAQ
Does “Cannot connect” mean the App Store is down?
Not always. Apple’s article treats it first as a connection, software or date and time problem. Only an issue on the System Status page confirms an outage on Apple’s side.
Why do free apps ask for a payment method?
Apple says a valid payment method may be required even for free apps. An unpaid balance from an earlier purchase also blocks free downloads until it is paid.
Will Apple tell me why my card was declined?
No. Apple’s support article says it has no information about why a payment method was declined. Contact your bank or card issuer for the reason.
Is it safe to call the Apple number in a pop-up?
No. Close the pop-up and contact Apple through support.apple.com or the Apple Support app. Apple says it never asks for your password or verification codes to provide support.