[5 Ways] App Store not Working After iOS Update on iPhone

After updating to iOS 17, can no longer update or download apps

After updating to iOS 17, the App Store just stop working completely. I can still search and browse apps, but when I try to update or download apps, it doesn’t work. How can I fix it?

- Question from Apple Community

App Store provides an easy and safe way for iPhone users to download and update kinds of apps. However, it’s unavoidable for everyone that App Store maybe not working someday. Many iPhone users have posted that App Store not working after iOS 17/18 update. If this issue also troubles you whether on iPhone or iPad, read this passage to fix it with 5 useful ways.

Part 1. Possible reasons why App Store not working after updates

The following reasons can lead to an unavailable App Store on your iPhone. Before trying specific ways to fix the issue, you can check whether your issue results from one of them.

▶ A weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection. A stable Internet connection is a prerequisite for App Store to update and download apps. Just in case, if you don’t enable download over 3G or 4G, your App Store may not download apps.

▶ A low or insufficient storage space for iPhone. You may fail to download apps if there is no more space for new content.

▶ An invalid Apple ID’s payment method. It’s also possible that your Apple ID’s payment method is no longer valid.

▶ Software-related issues. If you find App Store not working after iOS 17/18 update, your iPhone may get stuck currently due to some unknown software-related issues.

Part 2. 5 ways to fix App Store not working after iOS 17/18 update

Now, it’s time to help yourself out of this issue in the following five ways. Remember to launch the App Store after completing each process to see if the problem has been fixed.

Way 1. Check WiFi and Cellular data

The first thing you need to do is to check WiFi and cellular data. To make sure the Internet connection is not the cause, you can do the things below.

Check the Internet connection of your iPhone
Make sure your WiFi network is in the range, or you can try another WiFi network or connect to the Cellular data.

Enable App Store to download over 4G or 5G
If you can enter App Store but fail to download or update apps when you’re using cellular data, you can go to Settings > Mobile Data > Locate and click Use mobile data to > Make sure you toggle on the slider beside App Store.

Note: You need to be noted that if you toggle it on, your iPhone will spend many data downloading updates automatically.

Reset network settings
If you have changed network settings accidentally, you can reset network setting to make it go into default mode. At the same time, it will erase all passwords of WiFi and Bluetooth connection history.

On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Way 2. Force restart App Store and your iPhone

Simply restart App Store and force restart your iPhone may solve the issue. For some unknown reasons, App Store and your iPhone may fail to work properly.

To restart App Store, you may swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen or double-click the Home button, then swipe up on the App Store’s preview to close it. You can go to the App Store again to see if it can work.

To force restart iPhone, the steps differ from models of your iPhone.
iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the volume + button > Press and quickly release the volume - button > Press the power button until you see the logo of Apple.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press both the power button and volume - button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.
iPhone 6s or earlier: Press both the power button and the Home button for seconds until you see the logo of Apple.

Way 3. Reset your Apple Account in App Store

It is possible that your App Store not working after iOS 17/18 update because your account has been disabled connect to App Store. Hence, please try to sign out your Apple ID in App Store and sign in again.

You can go to Settings > Tap iTunes & App Store > Apple ID to sign out and sign in again.

Way 4. Turn off restrictions for App Store

After you update iOS 17/18, chances are that some restrictions for App Store may be enabled by default so that certain features on your iPhone may be disabled. You can have a look and turn it off if it is enabled.

To turn off restrictions for App Store, you can go to Settings > Scroll down and click Screen Time > Tap Continue > Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions to turn it on.

Way 5. Reset all settings or erase all contents and settings

It’s the last way to fix App Store not working after iOS update. You need to reset all settings or erase all contents and settings. Getting familiar with them, and you may need to try either or both of them if you cannot connect to App Store.

To reset all settings
Resetting all settings, literally speaking, will get all settings on your iPhone into default mode as well as those settings that prevent App Store from working normally. Besides, the function does no harm to your data on iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings to make it.

To erase all contents and settings
The function - erase all contents and settings, on the other hand, will erase everything on your iPhone. Therefore, if you need to try this way, you need to backup your iPhone first to avoid data loss, and then fix the issue by erasing all contents and settings.

>> How to backup your iPhone
It is recommended to try professional backup software for iPhone - AOMEI FoneBackup to backup all your iPhone data, as well as system settings, safari, and data files in apps, which makes it convenient to restore the backup.

In AOMEI FoneBackup, you can also enjoy simple operations, fast backup speed, as well as encrypted backup files.

Click the icon below to download AOMEI FoneBackup to make a full backup of iPhone.

>> How to erase all contents and settings
When the backup task finishes, you can go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Contents and Settings to solve your trouble.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you can fix the issue App Store not working after updates with one of the methods above. If the trouble remains, you may need to contact Apple professors for help.

Besides, it is suggested to backup iPhone before iOS update. After all, you don’t know what trouble you will meet after updating it. For more queries, please feel free to contact us.