iTunes repeatedly demaniding I sign in to iTunes store, but rejects my valid password

Question

Level 1

4 points

iTunes repeatedly demaniding I sign in to iTunes store, but rejects my valid password

Recently iTunes 12.9.5 on my old MacBook Air running 10.14.6, repeatedly demands that I sign in to the iTunes Store. I don't use the iTunes Store. Worse, it rejects my valid appleid password. For example, I signed into this site without an issue. Even worse, it is a modal window that cannot be dismissed. I must force-quit iTunes. But it comes back eventually after relaunching.

Based on a suggestion in a 2021 thread of the same complaint, I ran Malwarebytes, no threats found.

I have a very large music library, 54,000 items. I use iTunes to organize the library, and I listen to music on my MBA, but also use it for synchronizing playlists on my iPhone.

iTunes has become completely dysfunctional. If I can't stop this behavior I will start looking for 3rd party solutions if there are any, I am sick of this dysfunctional software.

Any help deeply appreciated.

Posted on Mar 26, 2023 5:16 PM

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Answer 1

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Apr 14, 2023 8:36 AM in response to tdietz

tdietz,

When you see a message that you need to sign in to iTunes, it typically means that you need to review and accept the updated Terms & Conditions for Apple's family of stores (e.g. iTunes Store, App Store, Book Store, etc.)

When you see the alert to sign in to iTunes, do you see the window to review and accept the Terms and Conditions? If you do, read and accept the terms, then restart your MacBook Air and iPhone. It should resolve the prompts for you.

Regards.

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Answer 2

Mar 28, 2023 10:20 AM in response to tdietz

Hello tdietz,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you need help with iTunes password prompts. We completely understand why you'd reach out, and are happy to help.

Is any of the music that your syncing purchased music? Is the iPhone updating? If so, this could be due to an older Apple ID being used for purchases in the past. This would be a reason for the repeated failed attempts one place and you being able to log in here. Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

Please have a look and let us know if this helps!

Cheers!

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Answer 3

dawngreg08

Community Specialist

Apr 7, 2023 8:17 AM in response to tdietz

Hello tdietz,

"Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed."

How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

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Answer 4

tdietz Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 13, 2023 6:13 PM in response to dawngreg08

Hello, I'm not running my MacBook Air in Safe Mode, I'm launching iTunes in Safe Mode (pressing Command-Option when launching). So far, haven't gotten the noxious demand to log into the iTunes Store since. However, have started also seeing this same problem on my old but well-loved iMac (Retina 5K 27-inch, Late 2014) running 10.13.6 and iTunes 12.7.4

I do not have any plug-ins installed in iTunes on either computer. I do have a number of classic scripts (Doug's AppleScripts) installed on both computers, that only run when I call them and do pretty basic things like adjust play counts, set album rating, help me edit song(s) info text fields, find "dead" files in my music folder that are not in the iTunes library, etc.

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Answer 5

WinsC1

Community Specialist

Apr 27, 2023 6:33 PM in response to tdietz

Hey tdietz,

Thanks for those additional details.

We'd recommend contact Apple Support for further assistance here: Get Support

Thanks!

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Answer 6

tdietz Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 6, 2023 8:21 PM in response to merlinapple

None of what I am syncing is purchased from the iTunes store. There is the old U2 free album, but I set that to not download, and anyway it is not synced to the iPhone.

My iPhone is syncing properly, as long as this log-in window is not showing anyway.

Have only ever had one Apple ID, and am using that. Successfully signed in to this site to answer your reply.

Importantly, these modal windows appear even when I am not trying to sync my iPhone, and in fact when it is not even connected to my MBA. This is an iTunes glitch.

iTunes just starts demanding that I log in to the iTunes Store, but rejects every attempt to do so. Nothing else can be done until I force-quit iTunes.

I restarted iTunes in Safe Mode, and so far have not seen that log-in window. What am I losing by having iTunes running in "Safe Mode"?

Thanks

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Answer 7

tdietz Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 27, 2023 6:02 PM in response to mingoslkd

The problem is, when I try to sign in to iTunes from that alert, my password is rejected. Every Single Time. The password is valid, and used to sign into other aspects of the Apple Universe, such as iCloud, and this support group. So I cannot ever find out what the iTunes store wants from me. A dysfunctional system, to say the least.

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Answer 8

tdietz Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 27, 2023 6:04 PM in response to mingoslkd

Also, I use the App Store on my iPhone on a regular basis, and never see this repeated demand to sign in. So, I should be up-to-date on Terms and Conditions.

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iTunes repeatedly demaniding I sign in to iTunes store, but rejects my valid password

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