Newsroom Update

Apple Music today announced the release of its 100 Best Albums of all time, a list crafted by Apple Music’s experts alongside industry professionals. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

hel0108 Author

Level 1

0 points

itunes store dramas arrrrrrrgh

Hi all,

I know there are other threads regarding this but I've tried everything from the other threads. At least, I've tried everything from the other threads that makes sense to someone not that computer literate.

To start with I should make clear that all of my credit cards etc are to an Australian account plus Australian postal address but I am living in China where there is not an iTunes store. I use the store in Australia.

I have an iMac and a MacBook both on the same network, linked to each other and all the other guff.

This started about a week ago when I tried to download a couple of games for my ipod. On my big iMac an error message instantly appeared saying that it couldn't download the games. I can't remember the exact message. I then tried to download them to my MacBook. No problem, they downloaded straight away. I updated my iPod's games on the MacBook even though the songs are linked to the iMac (does that make sense?)

After that I connected my iPod back into my iMac and it asked me if I wanted to transfer my purchases to this computer. I said yes but it wouldnt allow it.

How do I transfer the games? Literally over my network or with a flash disk or whatever? Where do I find them to transfer them?

Today I re set up my wireless network to include the Time Capsule thing. I don't use the Time Capsule as the primary wireless router as I already have the N series wireless box thingy. I'm using the Time Capsule simply for Time Machine.

Anyway after that I went into the iTunes store and on BOTH computers I got the message "Itunes could not connect to the iTunes store. An unknown error occurred.(-4) Make sure your network connection is active and try again." It won't load the store and I can't log in on my ID - it says "trying to access store" and then the same error message appears.

Now I know that lots of people have had this problem. I don't have parental controls on, I don't have any odd settings on my wireless thingy, my keychains are fine, I've been updated with itunes 7 since it came out as everything automatically downloads.

Does ANYONE have any idea what I can do in nice simple English? Please remember I've used phrases such as "wireless thingy" when pitching the simplicity of your replies 🙂

Also, as lots of people are having this problem has there been any reply from apple? Or is it still "all services are working just fine thanks folks!"

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

iMac7,1, Mac OS X (10.5.4), iMac, MacBook and various iPods

Posted on Aug 18, 2008 2:52 AM

Best reply

33g 5h3n

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Aug 18, 2008 6:38 AM

Hi I live in Shanghai. (American using my US credit card and mailing address). Yesterday my iTunes was working. I was able to download Podcasts and videos.

Today, I'm getting the same error message as you: "iTunes could not connect to the iTunes store. An unknown error occurred.(-4)"

It's been raining a lot and thought it might be a power surge problem or a problem with my wireless setup (Airport Express), but now since you're having the same problem, I think the server is down OR iTunes is being blocked in China for some reason.

Anyone else in China having this problem? I have to download episodes 16-20 of Stephen King's "N". Help!

View in context

82 replies

will-c

Level 1

8 points

Aug 19, 2008 4:04 PM in response to jenjen2008

What is really at risk here is Apple's ability to access the Chinese market. Sure those of us on iTunes loose some subscriptions but the real target here is Apple. I wonder if they realize that?

Poor Apple is between a rock and a hard place here so, naturally, they remind those living in China that we purchased material "at our own risk". Fair enough--those of us trying to access iTunes from China know the firewall exists.

This should be a wakeup call to Apple in China that their business here is not wanted. Not only is the Apple business not wanted--the Chinese government will intentionally damage Apple's product whenever they see fit. I think Apple should respond that business in China includes their offices in Shanghai and elsewhere. The Chinese government has not cracked down in fake iPods and the legitimacy of the Beijing Olympic souvenirs proves that this could be done with the willpower. The Chinese now are not only turning a blink eye to forgery, they are proactively attacking Apple in China by restricting iTunes access. If China chooses to damage Apple's business, Apple should create consequences. One option is that Apple could move their jobs elsewhere. Sure it would be nice to have iTunes back for those of us that use it but from Apple's perspective, I think they should view this as the Chinese government passively and now actively damaging business. That sort of behavior should have business consequences for the Chinese government today. If Apple chooses to ignore this bad behavior they do it "at their own risk" of access to the Chinese market.

Apple, you've now read the warning. Your future growth in China is directly related to how you do or do not work with the government. You should be aware of that already but if you're not--now you are. Fair enough that iTunes users don't have any recourse but soon you won't either.

Aug 19, 2008 4:14 PM in response to CasperGemini

At last some sense, and an admission from Apple that access to the Store server(s) at busy times and/or busy regions (including possibly China) might be the problem. But earlier versions of iTunes didn't crash, hang or produce errors when access to the Store was slow, at least not in my recall. If the coincidence of releases 7.6 and 7.7 with high demand for products and services is producing effects using the latest of two of Apple's own operating systems (and Windoze's) which were not anticipated, it's still lazy software engineering and/or inadequate testing procedures which are at fault.

If software hangs, crashes or spits out incomprehensible messages rather than intervenes with explanations for what might be the cause of a problem (and what the user might reasonably do about it), it's still a bug, in the sense that those problems were not properly accounted for and error-trapped. Let's hope that version 7.8 will exhibit more elegant ways of failing. (Expect something in the spec. on the lines of 'Improved access to iTunes Store under times of high demand for network and services'.)

Iain.

Aug 19, 2008 4:52 PM in response to hel0108

On the same day that iTunes became blocked in China a story made headlines across the US and the world about how 40 Olympic athletes downloaded the popular "Songs for Tibet" album from Beijing in a show of solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.

It is no secrete that the Chinese government censors content dealing with Tibetan independence in China and Tibet.

I feel terribly about this and I hope the Chinese government restores iTunes as soon as possible. To all the Chinese reading this, we are with you.

deydron

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 4:58 PM in response to Rangzen08

Why is Tibetan culture so feared by the Chinese Government.

deydron

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 5:03 PM in response to deydron

Everyone Deserves Freedom of Speech. To all the Chinese, Tibetan, Uighur, Han....All Tibet supporters support you right to free speech.

Hope this problem is resolved soon. To our Chinese Friends: Can you confirm that you can't even download other movies?

Peace.

Aug 19, 2008 5:13 PM in response to deydron

Here is a link to a photo of what a friend of mine in China sees when he tries to bring up iTunes: http://flickr.com/photos/10967888@N08/2779845084/

Best of luck to all of you in China. We are with you.

foleadu

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 7:11 PM in response to hel0108

I'm also experiencing this problem in Suzhou, China. On Monday August 18 I could access the iTunes store without any problems. Since then, I've seen the same errors that everyone else is getting.

I've used iTunes in China for over two years. There are occasionally these kinds of connections issues, but they usually resolve themselves in 24 hours. The fact that this one has continued for a couple of days makes me suspect, like others have said, that China is 'blocking' the iTunes store. I'm still hoping that it will all blow over in a few days, but it is likely that China will become more restrictive after the Olympics.

If the offending issue is the Songs for Tibet CD and the related messages, I hope they take the CD off the store, at least for users in China. It seems much more worthwhile to have access to 99.9% of music, than none. I'm an advocate of free speech, but Apple should play by Chinese rules to some extent, like Google. It is more important for Apple to gain a business foothold in China now, as China will continue to open up, though slowly.

Aug 19, 2008 8:21 PM in response to foleadu

would you really want a version of Itunes that preselects what songs you will or won't have access to and leaves certain tunes out? wouldn't you prefer the chance to hear all the music and decide for yourself? posts have spoken about a hope that Apple would go like Google and work with the Chinese Govt to offer Chinese users a different more limited set of music on Itunes that the govt approves of. wouldn't you rather decide for yourself? I commend Apple, because music is about freedom of expression.... how dare the Chinese govt. limit that.....

check out this blog post for articles and more on this topic:

http://blog.studentsforafreetibet.org/2008/08/19/china-blocks-itunes-for-tibet-a lbum/

nirl

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 9:05 PM in response to Iain Connell

its not a computer/HW/SW issue.. and its not related to iTunes version X or Y.
iPhone's direct connection to app store and/or itunes store is blocked as well

we are being blocked...

hopefully this will be resolved soon

N.

Aug 19, 2008 9:07 PM in response to curlygirlmoab

It is definitely China blocking iTunes and I am doubting that. You and many people dont understand how the Chinese systems works. There are things that are simply not tolerated in China. And to some of you, you have no idea what is the deal between Tibet and China so PLEASE dont judge without doing your homework regarding the situation.

You are right, music is about freedom of expression, but do you know that it happens in the US as well that music or any other form of expression are also preselected.

For example, the artist Nas was releasing his hip hop album earlier this year with the title "N.I.G.*.E.R"(I am not going to spell out the whole word because some people might find it offensive) but the title was pulled the very last minute because some people found it inappropriate. Some store was refusing to sell his album and then eventually the album was released "Untitled".

You see things like that happens all over the world. So please dont judge China for doing what they think is right. Everyone have a different point of view of seeing things.

It just that I and some individuals that are in China are suck in the crossfire and there is nothing we can do about it.

rsgould

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 10:02 PM in response to hel0108

I'm down in Guangzhou--I access iTunes with a U.S. account/card.

iTunes is definitely blocked. Silocon Hutong (which is also blocked, so you need to access via proxy or feed reader) picked up the story here:

http://siliconhutong.typepad.com/silicon_hutong/2008/08/apples-bi-polar-china-di sorder.html

Thanks Apple for p *ing off China. Now I have to use the Amazon mp3 downloader to get music that isn't Canto-pop.

iamsheep

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 10:26 PM in response to hel0108

Strangely enough...one of my subscribed podcasts (Spoonman) is downloading the new episode...none of the other ones are refreshing tho...

I smell a loophole...

bigweb14

Level 1

0 points

Aug 19, 2008 10:31 PM in response to ichidakira

Thanks ichidakira for saying that, I was going to say the same thing. Too many people judge from a limited perspective. Hope Apple can find a resolution.

Aug 19, 2008 11:46 PM in response to hel0108

Just wanted to add more information and backup my point of view that China is blocked iTunes. I am not taking any side. I am half Japanese, half Chinese and grow up in North America and now works in China. If you know history thats really not a pretty combo.

Currently there are roughly over 50+ countries (guesstimate) that are able to access the iTunes store. I think the reason that China blocked the iTunes store certainly have some connection with that "Songs for Tibet CD". With that Tibet CD in iTunes, most of the countries that have access to iTunes will have access to that CD and that exactly what China dont want. As I mentioned earlier not a lot of people know the real reason between China VS Tibet and having this happen during Olympic times was not a good move.

In own personal opinion, China blocked iTunes was to show Apple who really is in control. China can control how business operates and who really is the BIG BOSS (and I dont mean Steve). As we all know that most of Apple products are made in China. Just imagine China says to Apple that we dont want your business and we dont want your products to be made in our country anymore. What will happen then?

I think Apple really need to act fast in terms of what they think is more important to them. Selling music to the public that a group of people might find inappropriate and offensive or lose a lot of customers in China.

Apple recently opened their first branch in Beijing and planning to open one in Shanghai very soon. But with this type of restriction, I doubt anyone will want to buy Apple products. Do some research for the iPhone 3G in China. Apple is certainly learning learning how to change their way of doing business in China but just not this time with iTunes.

Message was edited by: ichidakira

Message was edited by: ichidakira

XGun

Level 1

0 points

Aug 20, 2008 12:26 AM in response to hel0108

So Apple have to make its choice: whether make money with political groups or make money in Chinese market.
I also think that reason why iTunes Store put THAT online is that Apple's products don't sells well in Chinese market and iPhone can hardly enter Chinese market. Political affairs are powerful, but not useful. A company which get involved in the politics will fail sooner or later. I suggest that iTunes Store stop selling the Songs for T **. Guys who want to sell it can put it on Amazon.
BTW, if anyone think that there is something serious happening in T **, then go there and see the truth without saying any words. Unless you have tried, don't say Chinese government blocks you.

itunes store dramas arrrrrrrgh