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iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server

Since updating to iTunes 11.0.3 I get the following dialog boxes every time I start iTunes:

iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server “upp.itunes.apple.com”.

The certificate for this server is invalid. You might be connecting to a server that is pretending to be “itunes.apple.com”, which could put your confidential information at risk. Would you like to connect to the server anyway?

iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server “p16-buy.itunes.apple.com”.

The certificate for this server is invalid. You might be connecting to a server that is pretending to be “p16-buy.itunes.apple.com”, which could put your confidential information at risk. Would you like to connect to the server anyway?

Very annoying to say the least.

Can anyone help me solve the problem and eliminate these dialog boxes on startup?

Thanks,

Bruce

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.5), 23 inch Apple Display. LaCie CD/DVD

Posted on May 21, 2013 12:25 AM

Top-ranking reply

Bruce Reading Author

Level 1

39 points

Posted on Jun 22, 2013 9:35 PM

I solved the problem by contacting Apple Support.

I remained persistent and was pushed up the chain until I was put in contact with an "expert". Cannot remember her name, however, she walked me through the steps necessary to solve the problem. It had to do with the pLists for the appstore and itunes located in the user preference folder. Plus, she also had me delete a few certificate files.

I would not feel comfortable explaining the steps to you as I am not an expert. Contact Apple Support.

There was no cost to me as I stated I had just downloaded the new version of iTunes and that was when the problem began.

The woman who helped me was AMAZING.

Hope this helps.

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26 replies

idlb1992

Level 1

0 points

Apr 4, 2014 3:59 PM in response to j@sp3rtyuiop

For those window's users, I found that flushing the dns really helped.

I was getting the error message iTunes can't verify the identity of the server "init.itunes.apple.com".

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1527

Jun 2, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Freedom4U2

How can you bump this thread to help people with App Store not working after Mavericks install? Because I searched everywhere, reinstalled maveriks, deleted caches, etc. and this is the only thing that worked. I just want to save People some time. Thank you so much

Aug 1, 2014 11:59 AM in response to Bruce Reading

Thank you - the Keychain master certificates were my issue for a iMac upgraded from 10.5.8 to 10.9 Mavericks from a Time Machine restore. I was getting "cannot download software because of a network problem" from Apple automatic software downloads (for printer drivers or Java and such) as well as a blank App Store. The Keychain Master Certificates were the issue - a tedious 20 minute fix. Thanks!

Aug 6, 2014 10:17 AM in response to Bruce Reading

In my case, on Windows, the error was because my system clock was living in 2099, probably due to combination of dead battery and failing to connect to a time server. SSL certificates are dated so they fail if the clock is badly wrong.

rxb

Level 1

4 points

Jan 6, 2015 7:23 PM in response to Freedom4U2

Thank you so much! I was getting appleplectic, trying to figure out why I couldn't access lots of websites on Chrome, then the app store, and then finally when I tried itunes. It was doing a search that included itunes that got me to this thread, and your solution was exactly the right magic one that solved all my problems. Thanks!

Lilsasha

Level 1

5 points

Apr 5, 2015 4:32 PM in response to j@sp3rtyuiop

I use windows XP and faced same issue when I updated my iTunes, then I found the solution... Follow these steps... close iTunes program, check the date and time of your computer and make sure it is current year and date , if not change it, and now open itunes, that should fix it. 🙂

May 6, 2015 12:39 PM in response to Bruce Reading

You probably need to reset your keychain:

Resetting your keychain in Mac OS X - Apple Support

Aug 21, 2015 2:51 PM in response to Freedom4U2

This worked perfectly for me too, thank you so much.

Jan 12, 2016 3:21 PM in response to Bruce Reading

i have the same problem and safari won't open websites properly and went to certificates but no blue plus signs. what can i do

Jul 5, 2017 2:42 AM in response to Freedom4U2

Hi Freedom4U2

I am having the same problem but don't have any blue dots by my certificates. Any ideas?

Thank you so much

Pikewod

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2017 7:39 AM in response to Freedom4U2

I'm sure this does work, but when i tried to do it, i found that none of the certificates showed either a blue dot or a plus sign... So how else can i solve this problem then?

iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server