App Store Sign In Error

I keep trying to sign into the App Store to update some apps (Keynote). I get this message "The data couldn’t be read because it isn’t in the correct format" when I type in my Apple ID and password. I can sign in everywhere else (iCloud, iTunes, etc.).

Posted on Mar 11, 2019 11:14 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 22, 2019 7:28 PM

After some research I have a solution.


Remove the following files (some may not exist) and restart the computer:


~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.commerce.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.plist.lockfile

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstored.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist.lockfile

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent.plist.lockfile


After you log back in your App store will work.


Looks like the root cause may be one of the above configuration files being corrupted. After you log in they get recreated cleanly.

8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 22, 2019 7:28 PM in response to arns_mac

After some research I have a solution.


Remove the following files (some may not exist) and restart the computer:


~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.commerce.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstore.plist.lockfile

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.appstored.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist.lockfile

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent.plist.lockfile


After you log back in your App store will work.


Looks like the root cause may be one of the above configuration files being corrupted. After you log in they get recreated cleanly.

Mar 12, 2019 11:42 AM in response to appleusercanyc

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities appleusercanyc,


If I'm understanding you right, you're unable to sign into the App Store on your Mac, and you're receiving an error that says "The data couldn’t be read because it isn’t in the correct format." I have some steps for you to try that may help get you signed in successfully.


First, it's important to know which macOS version you're currently experiencing this with. Are you updated to macOS Mojave? I'd like for you to close out of the App Store completely if it's open. After that, follow the steps listed in this support article: If you see a -45054 error in the iTunes Store. Although the error in that article isn't the specific error you're receiving, and your issue is with the App Store and not iTunes, the troubleshooting steps are still relevant. If you get to a point in that article where it tells you to open iTunes and try to sign in, open the App Store and try to sign in there instead.


If the issue persists, try out the steps listed here: If you can't connect to the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.


Take care!

Mar 22, 2019 7:00 PM in response to Lager-Boy76

Same problem, started happening sometime this month. I'm running Macbook Air, Mac OS Mojave 10.14.3 (18D109). Removing the 'adi' folder did not fix this. Removing the /var/db/crls/crlcache.db and /var/db/crls/ocspcache.db files did not fix this.


I am unable to sign in and as a consequence can't update several Mac applications. I assume I wouldn't be able to purchase apps either, though I have not tried it.


It would be nice if there was an option to re-download and re-initialize the App store app, but apparently it's tied to the OS and you can't do it specifically for the App store application itself.


Still looking for a solution...

Mar 19, 2019 11:17 AM in response to AvalonTile

I am having the same problem as described above. I have taken the steps suggested and am still having the issue.


My laptop's system report:

  Model Name: MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,4

  Processor Name: Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz

  Number of Processors: 1

  Total Number of Cores: 4

  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

  L3 Cache: 6 MB

  Memory: 16 GB

  Boot ROM Version: 187.0.0.0.0

  SMC Version (system): 2.29f24

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

App Store Sign In Error

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.