NSURLErrorDomain error -1012 App store

MacBook Pro 17" mid-2009 running MacOS 10.11.6 (last possible MacOS)


Recently a problem attempting to upgrade (and pay for) Etrecheck Pro revealed an underlying problem with online security certificates. Apparently it was more expensive to get a security certificate compatible with older Macs. Consequently the choice had been made to save money on the certificate renewal causing older Macs (including mine) to be unable to upgrade even though the payment had gone through.


A subsequent problem with my VPN and its diagnostic tool revealed the "NSURLErrorDomain error -1012" message. The VPN referred me to https://logi.wiki/index.php/ERR_CERT_INVALID as the solution to the problem. Following the script instruction in Terminal solved the problem with the VPN and this is a mechanism to automatically request the updated security certificate.


It simultaneously solved security issues with a good number of websites that had historically been secure and suddenly Chrome was behaving as though they were insecure. It also solved formatting issues on some websites. The online speeds also seemed to improve.


The Mac has subsequently been working without any of these problems until I came to try and access the App Store. I am able to login to AppleID without any problem.


Accessing the App Store from the Apple menu, produces the normal App Store window. However clicking on Updates ( of which there are two in queue) it returns the "NSURLErrorDomain error -1012" error message.


Since the potential for payment exists in the App Store, it is somewhat similar to the experience with Etrecheck Pro.


Accordingly, there is a suspicion that a security certificate associated with the App Store has not been updated to be compatible with older Macs although AppleID has.


Does anyone have experience/insights into this problem?

Posted on Nov 13, 2021 2:07 PM

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2 replies

Nov 13, 2021 4:15 PM in response to cormorant1

... yet further information:


This problem seems to extend beyond the app store to the whole connection issue between the iPhone13 and the legacy Mac. The following describes what happens when the USB>Lightning cable is plugged in.


The following occurs whether or not the VPN is operating.


  1. Connect iPhone 13 to MacBook Pro via USB>Lightning cable.
  2. Photos window opens on MacBook normally.
  3. (Quit Photos)
  4. Window: "A software update is required to connect to iPhone13." with option to Install the software
  5. Press "Install"
  6. Window appears briefly: "Downloading Item 1" (with progress bar)
  7. Window: "Installation failed ... Can't download the software because of a network problem.


The 'network problem' seems likely to be the cause of the App Store problem. Is this some kind of Security Certificate issue or deliberate on the part of Apple to prevent iPhone13 linking to a legacy Mac?

Nov 13, 2021 3:19 PM in response to cormorant1

... further information:


The "NSURLErrorDomain error -1012" message only occurs when my new iPhone13 is plugged into the Mac using a USB>Lightning cable.


Unless it is plugged in the App Store downloads as normal.


However updated software appears to be needed for the MacBook and iPhone to communicate, and this error message is preventing me from downloading that software.

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NSURLErrorDomain error -1012 App store

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