While the Apple App Store is pretty reliable, there are times when it tends to show some unexpected errors. And when unexpected happens, you may encounter errors like “Cannot connect to App Store” and “Unable to update apps”. Worse still, sometimes the App Store can even prevent you from purchasing apps on your iPhone, even if your payment method has been updated. So, what are the best ways to fix the unable to purchase or download apps on iPhone? There are several methods that work for Apple App Store troubleshooting. That said, let’s look for ways to fix problems!
10 Tips to Fix App Store Issues on iPhone (2021)
In this guide, we have addressed multiple App Store errors that prevent users from purchasing or updating apps on iPhone. Them:
- “We were unable to complete your iTunes Store request. Network connection could not be established. An error has occurred in the iTunes Store. Please try again later.”
- “Cannot connect to iTunes Store. An unknown error has occurred.”
- “We were unable to complete your iTunes Store request. The iTunes Store is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.”
- “Failed to connect to iTunes Store. Make sure your network connection is active and try again.”
- “Your account has been disabled in the App Store.”
Since the solutions for all App Store problems are pretty much the same, it’s better to take each of them into account. So, no matter what kind of issues you are facing, these tips can help you fix the problem that you cannot purchase or download apps on your iPhone. Without further ado, check out the top 10 fixes here:
1. Force Quit App Store and Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off
No matter what App Store issues you encounter on your iOS device, the first trick to try is to force quit the App Store and turn Airplane Mode on/off. Yes, it helps fix random App Store errors most of the time. Therefore, it is worth trying this effective hack before moving on to other options.
- On iPhone and iPad without a home button: Swipe up from the home bar and hold across the middle of the screen. After that, swipe up the App Store card to force close the app.
- On iPhone and iPad with home button: Press the home button twice and swipe up on the App Store card to end the app.
- After closing the App Store, Control Center Swiping down from the top right corner of the screen and airplane mode Icon to open. Now wait a few seconds and tap the Airplane mode icon again to turn it off.
- After that, open the App Store and try to download or update apps on your iPhone as usual. If you are no longer facing any issues, you may have solved the problem of not being able to purchase or download apps on iPhone.
2. Restart Your iPhone or iPad
If the first solution didn’t produce the desired result, it’s time to restart your iPhone. At times, a quick reboot can do the magic in fixing common iOS 15 issues. Here’s how to do this:
- On iPhone and iPad without a home button: Press and hold the power button and any of the volume buttons at the same time. After that, swipe to turn off your device. Then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- On iPhone and iPad with home button: Press and hold the power button and then swipe to turn off your device. Now, press and hold the power button to turn on your device.
3. Downloading Multiple Apps Simultaneously? Prioritize Download
If you’re trying to download multiple apps to your iPhone at the same time, be sure to prioritize downloads if you want to start using one app before others. It will help you download certain apps faster. From the home screen of your iPhone, tap and hold the app icon. Next, select Prioritize Download in the context menu that appears just below the application.
If the automatic app update feature is not working on your iPhone, try updating the apps manually (App Store -> your profile). I recommend updating one app at a time for a smooth sailing update experience.
4. Make Sure The Date and Time Are Set Correctly
If the date and time are not set correctly, you may encounter problems downloading and updating apps on your iPhone and iPad. To change the date and time on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and General -> Date and Time. Next, “Set automatically” switch.
- Also, make sure “Location Services” is turned on (Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services) for helping iOS 15 set the date and time correctly.
5. Make Sure You Are Not Using Multiple Apple IDs
iOS allows you to use a separate Apple ID for App Store and purchases. Although it gives you the flexibility to use multiple Apple IDs on your device, it can cause problems at times. So, if you encounter problems with purchasing and downloading in the App Store, make sure that you do not use more than one Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad.
- To fix this, go to: Settings -> Apple ID banner -> Media and Purchases and then change the Apple ID.
6. Make Sure There Are No Content Restrictions
Screen Time in iOS 15 comes with a robust content restriction setting that you can use to block offensive content on your device or just the App Store. Maybe you have enabled content restriction on your iPhone before and forgot to undo the setting later. So make sure that Screen Time doesn’t prevent you from purchasing or installing apps from the App Store.
- Open the Settings app on your device and Screen Time -> Content & Privacy Restrictions -> Content Restrictions.
- Now enter the Screen Time Passcode and Select “Allow All Apps” It’s under the Applications section. If you forgot the passcode, check here 3 ways to reset Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone.
7. Check Apple’s System Status Page
If the App Store is facing an outage in your country or region, it may show different errors and not allow you to download apps on your iPhone or iPad. So, make sure Go to Apple’s health page To check if the App Store is working normally.
8. Update Your Payment Method
If your payment method is declined in the App Store or you can’t update apps and you see an error message that says, “Your account has been disabled in the App Store”, There is probably a problem with your payment method. To fix this issue, you need to update your payment information or add a new payment method.
- get over your head Settings -> Apple ID header > Payment & Shipping. Now go ahead and do whatever is necessary to add a new payment method or update an existing one.
9. Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign In Again
If you still can’t download or update apps on your iOS 15 device, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. Most of the time, it helped me fix the poorly functioning App Store on my iPhone. So, I think it would be better to give this workaround a shot as well.
- Go to Settings -> Apple ID and Tap Sign Out button below. you will have the option keep a copy of all your important data such as contacts and calendars. Make sure to turn on transitions for each data type before logging out of your account. After that sign in again; this should fix App Store download and update issues.
10. Update Your iPhone’s Software
If none of the tips listed above worked in resolving the App Store issue on your iOS device, there’s a good chance a software bug is behind the problem. But don’t worry, the latest iOS updates usually come with bug fixes and performance improvements. So, updating the software can probably fix the problem.
- To do this, launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and General -> Software Update. Next, download and install the latest version of iPadOS 15 or iOS 15 on your device.
Fix Unable to Buy or Download Apps on iPhone and iPad
Here you got it! I hope one of the tips or workarounds above helped make the App Store functional on your iPhone or iPad. Since the above-mentioned tips are reliable in fixing various App Store problems, the smile is likely to come back to your face and once again you can download the best iPad games or updates of your favorite podcast app to your iPhone. By the way, which of these tricks worked for you? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section below.
