App Store won't let me log in

I am having same issue. In addition (and I suspect related) I can't sign into iMessage. I've tried all the suggestions including multiple locations (in case there is some firewall issue).

- Date and Time set correctly

- Using Admin account (so no parental issues)

- Can receive from ALL Developers (setting)

- Multiple locations

Really frustrating.

After trying all kinds of remedies to no avail, i called Apple's support number. A senior tech (I forget his exact title... sorry) named Doug Cambell walked me through the solution. I couldn't log onto Icloud, the App store and Imessage. The problem turned out to be my cable modem! Power cycling my modem got me back on track. Apple's support is the best, especially Mr. Campbell!

After trying all kinds of things like deleting various plist files, booting up in safe moode etc.

I made an appt. at the local genius bar and this is what we did:

• First we created a new user and attempted to login to appstore with the new user. This worked. So, he concluded that it was something wrong with the user files.
• Logged in as root (enable root in the system library - core services - directory utility - (Edit menu) = enable root = make a password = then log out and log back in as root)
• make User library visible (terminal = sudo chflags nohidden path/to/Library)
• Then renamed the old library
• Logged out
• Logged back into root and new library was created
• Then one by one I added things like login preferences etc. from the old library to the new library.
• In between I would log out of root and log back in as my main account and check to see if I could log into appstore.

Everything worked out fine.

I tried but did not work on my end. I reset my modem and router twice but no luck... I even created a new apple ID but no joy...

Hi,

I think you are right, something wrong with user files.

But the solution you suggest , I can't really follow the steps you did.

It would be great, if you could explain your solution with more details.

I'm a beginner, and it's very difficult to get thru it.

Thanks a lot for your help and assistance.

Hello rjulest,

I got your message a few weeks ago but I've been busy and I didn't know how to respond. I didn't want to make a long description of how to do this because it is kind of advanced. But I will try to make it more clear.

First: did you do this?

First create a new user and attempt to login to appstore with the new user.

If app store works with a different user then proceed to next steps.

• Go to the SYSTEM LIBRARY (not user library) and then go to "core services" - and then open "directory utility"
• When directory utility is open look at the top menu and click "Edit"
• Then click "enable root"
• It will ask you for a passwor (make a password)
• then log out
• log back in as root (type your password for root user)
• make User library visible search on google how to make user library visible or go to terminal and type this and press enter ( sudo chflags nohidden path/to/Library )
• Renamed the library (something like "library old")
• Log out
• Log back in as the root user and you will see that a new library was created
• Then one by one add things like login preferences etc. from the old library to the new library.
• After I add something to the new library from the old library log out of root and log back in as the main account and check to see if you can log into appstore.
• At the end you disable the root user the same way you enabled it. In the edit menu you will see "disable root user"

Does this help? Let me know.

Hello nimai_pandit,

Thank u for your feedback and your help; I got the problem fixed some time ago, I rebooted the system and everything works well again. Thank you

Hi there!

I tried to follow your steps but i have a problem... you said under core services click directory utility and click edit on the top. I can only see Services, Search Policy and Directory Editor and I am not seeing enable root anywhere. I'm using an iMac... doest it make any difference?

Hello mgcs,

First I forgot to mention that you need to click the unlock icon in the directory utility window.

On the bottom left corner of Directory Utility it says "Click the lock to make changes" Click it and type your user password (if you have one).

Then look at the very top of the computer screen where the menu is.

You will see

File

Edit

Window

Help

1. Click on edit.
2. Click on "enable root user"
3. Follow the directions above and let me know.

I had a similar problem on my Macbook Pro, called Apple Support as a result of the post from StevieBoy601 and was beyond delighted when my support request was escalated to the same Doug Campbell who restored my hope and faith that Apple can remain the company Steve Jobs and many others envisioned it to be.

What you can do is that you can press forget password in App Store and reset cause I done that for a view times cause it said wrong passwords which I reset it for a few times and Apple finally recognize the password so now I have no problems with sign in...

So reset password then it might work!

Hope this help...

cannot connect to itunes??? what to do??

Foreword: Always do a backup before tinkering with your computer 🙂

I fixed a problem similar to this by:

1) Open Finder

2) Press the command + shift + G keys

3) Type, ~/Library and press <ENTER>

4) Delete everything in the Caches folder (all this will be recreated again... just temporary stuff)

5) Log out and log back in and try to re-enter your credentials

If that does not fix it, then follow steps 1-3

4a) Open Application Support

5a) Open App Store

6) Delete the updatejournal.plist files

7) repeat step 5 (logout and back in)

Hope this helps. 🙂

Deleting the updatejournal.plist seems to be the real fix