App Store app problems after iOS7 update

I also have ipad2 wifi2 + 3g and IOS 7.0.2 and have the same problem.

Check Settings > Safari > Block Cookies. If it is set to "Always", change it to either "From third parties and advertisers" (the default) or "Never".

Then quit the App Store by double-pressing the Home button, then swiping the screenshot of the App Store app up (towards the top of the device).

Return to SpringBoard (hit the Home button twice, but not consecutively), then launch the App Store again to see if that fixed the issue.

I have this problem on my iPad 3 (A1430) too. I experiencd no problems with the AppStore prior to iOS7.0 / 7.0.2. I've done a great deal of experimenting with settings, resets, restores, recovery mode etc. Nothing seems to fix it, although there are some things you can do to temporarily work around the problem.

Things to try

Important: Backup your iPad via your computer's iTunes or to the iCloud (see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766 ).

Check that the AppStore credit card security code prompt isn't causing a problem

The payment verification panel used to pop up after restores, so it's odd that it never seems to pop up now. Open Settings > iTunes & App Store > tap your Apple ID name (it should be blue) > View Apple ID > enter password > Payment Information. Enter your credit cards security code in the "Required" field. Tap Done. Open the AppStore and try again.

Re-sign in to the AppStore

Open Settings > iTunes & App Store > tap your Apple ID name (it should be blue) > Sign Out.
You should now see space to enter your apple id. Leave them blank. Restart your iPad by holding the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons down simultaneously until you see the apple logo appear and then lot go of the buttons. Once your iPad has restarted, unlock it. You should be logged out. That is, Settings > iTunes & App Store should still be asking for your apple id. Do not enter your apple id details yet, even if prompted. Now, open the App Store app. It should open quicker than before. You should also find it fairly responsive to searches.

Weirdly, if you search for apps you already own, they will appear with the download from cloud icons as if you are logged into your apple id, even though you aren't.
At this point, search for an app you want to purchase (paid or free, it doesn't matter). You will now be prompted for your apple id. Enter your details and the app should download normally.However, this didn't fix the problem for long. It returns for me either with the next purchase or sometime soon after.

• Reset All Settings
  
  Note: This resets most of the iPads settings back to factory default, including your WiFi connection setup.
  
  This didn't really help much on my iPad, but it's probably worth a go.
  
  In Settings > General > Reset tap Reset All Settings. Confirm and wait for your iPad to start up again. Enter your WiFi settings and try the AppStore. Search for the app you wanted to purchase and tap on the buy/download button. You will be prompted for your apple id. Enter it and the app should start to download.
  
• Restore iPad
  
  IMPORTANT: You really do need your iPad backed up before you do this!!!
  
  Either:
  a) Perform a restore via iTunes: Before restoring can take place you must deactivate Find My iPad (Settings > iCloud > Find My iPad: Off ). Then follow the instructions at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414 .
  b) Skip deactivating Find My iPad by forcing your iPad into Recovery Mode (see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808 ). This route will require you to login to your apple id to authenticate ownership of the iPad before it can be used. Either way, you will have the option to restore your backup or set up as new. I recommend using Set Up As New for testing purposes, then use iTunes to Restore your backup if the AppStore works well for you over a few days. For me, Restoring the iPad works best, but it's not a permanent solution. The AppStore will get slower and slower over time, eventually returning to it's slow, buggy, unresponsive, crashy ways.

Possible, but untested workaround

Assuming the problem is caused by as described below (see Possible cause section), it might be possible to fix the problem by hiding all of the apps you don't wish to ever use again (disappointing freebies at a guess). You can do this using iTunes (PC/Mac). Open the iTunes Store. On the right of the Home/Featured page theres lots of links. Click on the Purchased one. Next click on the Apps tab (top middle-ish), and then iPad (top middle). After a while you should see your apps listed. Move the mouse pointer over an apps icon and you'll see an x in the top left corner of the icon. Click the x and the App is hidden. You can unhide them by viewing your Accounts page (click you email address, login and scroll down to Hidden Purchases).

Possible cause

(Experience-based speculation)

There are some good indications that the AppStore is caching purchase data in iOS7 - something that didn't appear to happen in iOS6 or earlier. The more purchases (paid or free) on an apple id, the bigger the local cache on your iPad/iPhones/iPod SSD becomes. While the cache is building, and while its still small enough to load into RAM, the AppStore works fine. However, when the cache grows too large to fit in RAM, I suspect the AppStore attempts to page results from the SSD, crippling performance and destabilising the app. The threshold of how many apps it takes to cause the cache to get too big probably varies depending on iOS device model (the more physical RAM, the larger the cache it can accommodate). However, I suspect you need to have a significant number of apps (1000s) before you run into problems.

Why I think there's app purchase caching in iOS7 :-

If I open the AppStore after a restore (as new), sign in to my apple id and wait for my purchases to show up with the "download from cloud" icon in search results, then logout of my apple id, restart my iPad, open the AppStore without logging back... (breathe!) ...I can still see the "download from cloud" icon on my purchases. The icons turn to prices if I attempt to download one, and cancel the apple id login.

It's also noticeable that "other data" (in iTunes (PC/Mac) iPad > Apps) grows with every sync at a steady rate (about 0.1Mb every 2 minutes) from the moment the an apple id is logged into. Likewise, the iPads own Total Usage figure (Settings > General > Usage) grows continually even when there is no activity on an iPad freshly set up as new, with no app downloads, in standby. So something in iOS7 is filling the SSD - also consistent with caching, although there are other plausible explanations for this.

And then there's the performance of the Purchased tab in the AppStore (shortly after a restore, while it's still working). Results appear much faster than in iOS6. Far faster than say searching for a fairly uniquely names app. Ping defyingly fast. Again, points to locally cached data.

Ideally, there should be an option to disable caching entirely or an automatic fallback-to-server mode when the device can't cope with the cache. Personally, I'd rather the AppStore worked a little slower, but worked for everyone. As it is it works quickly for some, and hardly at all for others. I'm not particularly thrilled about the additional SSD usage either.

Bring back the iOS5 AppStore (more efficient that the iOS6 one re paginated Purchased tab, and actually worked unlike the iOS7 one).

Ideally Apple would let us roll back to 6.1.3 until these problems are worked out, particularly on the iPad (which has considerably more iOS7 bugs than the iPhone). As it is, let's hope the problems with the iOS 7 AppStore is fixed sooner rather than later.

Hello Tfonix,

Having similar iTunes Store problems after upgrading to iOS 7 on an iPad 3 WiFi with 64 GB.

With iOS 6.1.3 the tablet used to work like a charm, although lots of apps were installed.

After the upgrade, the iPad 3 is not only lagging, but in the iTunes Store no purchase of apps, movies or even single songs can be accomplished any more. Behaviour: freezing.

The store purchase/movie rental using a PC works fine with the same account.

So forum postings were read, iPad resets (cold/warm) were made, account settings + all credit card details were triple checked and re-re-entered from scratch, all to no avail.

Surfing and downloading files in a browser works on the iPad 3, even if slower than previously with iOS 6.

Apps updates could be installed in the past days - with huge delays, but finally succeeded.

But new purchases don't function any more.

I didn't uninstall apps until now, just hoped everything would work smooth like before...

Heavily disappointed.

@Tfonix:

Unfortunately none of your tips have helped here. 😟

A relatively short summary of my findings:-

AppStore works immediately following an iOS7 restore (as new), but only for an hour or so.

From the moment I sign into my Apple ID, "other" data starts to grow at a rate of 0.05Mb per minute, whether the iPad is in use or on standby (probably contributing to iOS7's poor battery performance). I strongly suspect this "other" data growth relates directly to previous purchase data being cached locally.

After an hour or so AppStore searches become slow, eventually resulting in "Unable to Connect" (even though every other app is working fine, and iTunes on my desktop is working).

After searching fails, the appstore becomes completely unresponsive if opened via multitasking or via the icon. The same is true if I close the AppStore (by swiping up via multitasking screen) and starting a new AppStore session.

Simply restarting the iPad and attempting to open the AppStore results in the same unresponsive white AppStore screen.

Signing out of my apple id and restarting my iPad allows relatively normally access to the AppStore and AppStore searches, but only while I remain logged out of my Apple ID. The moment I sign back into my Apple ID, appstore searches become unresponsive and the AppStore crashes. After that the AppStore won't open.

The only (temporary) fix I've worked out is to Restore my iPad (as new) to grant an hour or so of normal AppStore access.

"Other" data only grows while signed into an Apple ID.
So, if you are effected by an unresponsive / crashing AppStore, I advise backing up your iPad, switch wifi off (to ensure nothing downloads until your ready), restoring iOS 7. Once the restore is complete sign out of your Apple ID (Settings > iTunes & AppStore > (your id) > Sign Out), switch your routers WiFi back on.
Until Apple fix the problem only sign into your Apple ID when you need to download something from the AppStore / iTunes / iBooks / NewsStand. Once the download has completed, sign out of your Apple ID. This way the AppStore will continue to work for longer before another restore is required.

I should stress that the AppStore worked fine prior to installing iOS 7. The problems about an hour after installing iOS 7 (probably once the cache exceeded physical ram capacity)

It's a month since iOS 7 was released and Apple have still yet to acknowledge (let alone address) this issue...

I'm having this problem as well on my iPhone 4 GSM running iOS 7.0.3. I've taken to making all my purchases through iTunes on my computer or iPad. It just doesn't let me purchase anything anymore on my phone. I've gone through all the steps provided and none of them help. The problem is persistent.

I just purchased my new IPad 4 - was able to download apps the first couple of days no prob - update was done and now I am having the same problems as everyone else. I have to constantly reboot my ipad in order to downlowd an app and it takes quite a while and some will not even download. Was loving the ipad and this is our first purchase of an Apple product, currently very disappointed.

ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE GONE on my upgraded IPAD 2 running on ios 7 which included “no access to ITunes to update Apps” and “slow web or no connectivity”

All because of changes to DNS Settings Change !!!! as described below and after trying all solutions given by others - try and let me also know on my mobile +263 772 242 560 (Zimbabwe – Colas Ziki)

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This fix has been recommended by Apple support and has proven successful for many commenters on my previous post. The way this works is to change DNS settings on your iPad or whichever iOS device is affected – by adding Google’s DNS server/s. Here’s how to do this:

– Go to the Settings app and tap on the Wi-Fi section in the left sidebar

– Then look at the ‘Choose a Network’ section in the main right-hand side area of the page and look for the network name that has a check mark next to it and rendered in blue text – the WiFi network you are currently using

– Tap on the blue arrow at the right-hand side of the listing for that network.

– On the next screen you’ll see a section labeled ‘IP Address’ with three large buttons below it. Make sure the DHCP button is selected. Below that you’ll see fields for IP Address, Subnet Mask, and others. Tap on the DNS field (the fourth one down).

– This will bring up the iPad’s on-screen keyboard and place the cursor at the end of the IP address for the DNS server currently being used by the iPad. Backspace until all the numbers for that address are gone. Then type this in:

8.8.8.8

Please note the periods after the first three 8s. You can also use 8.8.4.4 – both are valid addresses for Google’s DNS servers.

by C. Ziki –Zimbabwe mobile +263 772 242 560 ( acknowledgement to Patrich Jordan below)

Note: The above extract is from:

http://ipadinsight.com/ipad-tips-tricks/best-fixes-for-cannot-connect-to-itunes- store-errors/

Best Fixes for ‘Cannot Connect to iTunes Store’ Errors

by Patrick Jordan on August 30, 2012 in iPad Tips & Tricks

I also have this problem with my "" iPad2 WiFi + 3G "".

Since I update iOS from 6.1.3 to 7.X.X this problem is never fix.

Please fix the problem in the near future.

When I want to download or update my apps by iPad2.

THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN DO IS "" PRAY and PARY and PARY"".

Changing the DNS settings makes no difference. For me, the issue has nothing to do with connectivity.

What seems to be happening is iOS 7 caches purchase data on the iPad/iPhone SSD. The AppStore works fine while the cache is growing and is still able to load from the SSD into RAM. Once the cache gets too large to load, the AppStore starts to suffer connection timeouts, lock ups and crashes. Logging out of my apple id and restarting my iPad allows access to the AppStore. However, if I log back in to my Apple ID the problems return moments later. All other apps can connect to the internet fine. Other devices on my network can access the AppStore just fine. Flushing the cache by restoring iOS 7 allows the AppStore to work normally - while the cache grows. Once the cache has grown too large, the AppStore stops working again.

Assuming I'm right re: caching being the cause, Apple could implement a rouch and ready hotfix:- Add a server-side check to see if an account has more than a cachable number of purchases (e.g. 1000) - if so cache data could be withheld. That is, cache data would never be sent from the server to the device if it is likely to cause problems. Small / no cache -> working appstore.

Ideally, Apple would make local caching optional (and flushable) so that their customers could decide if caching suits their needs (i.e. sacrificing SSD space for appstore speed).

Regardless, Apple really needs to address this problem. It's not meerly inconvenient: It clogs up the iPad with unnecessary data and stops the AppStore working.

Same here. App Store freezes on ipad mini and ipad 4. I don't use the App Store on iPhone so I don't know if that happens there as well. This problem started after update to ios 7. Problem still exist after update to ios 7.0.3

None of the suggested solutions work for me. Hope Apple fixes this soon.

Same problem. Wish I had never upgraded to 7.0.3

Can I empty the cache?

@Joenindy2:

The way I've found of clearing the cache is to backup, then restore (i.e. re-install iOS7), then restore from backup. This will only buy you an hour or so of AppStore use before it stops woking again. Hardly ideal.

The cache only seems to be built while signed into your appleid, so it's probably a good idea to signout while you're not using your id to buy anything.

I'd urge anyone with this problem contact Apple Technical Support. The more people who raise the issue, the more likely Apple are to address it.

Or we can just wait for Apple to lose a few billion dollars in sales, and be ready with a quick come back... ;)

I noticed this a few days ago and assumed it was a connectivity problem. But no, the App Store is dead in the water.

Think of all the money you're saving!