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How to Fix “There Was an Error Connecting to the Apple ID Server”

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Writer, Apple

Over the last decade, Farhad has gained hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, etc. If he's not writing, you can bet he's trying to keep up with the latest technology. He oversees coverage of iPhone, iOS, and Apple Watch for Gotechtor.

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Are you getting the Error Connecting to Apple ID Server error when you try to log in to your iCloud, iTunes, or App Store? Don’t panic!

This is a common problem that every iDevice user has had to deal with at some point. Before we get into how to fix the connecting to Apple ID Server issue, let’s discuss why it’s happening in the first place. So without further ado, let’s dive in.

What Does It Mean When It Says “Cannot connect to Apple ID server”?

Simply put, it means that your device is not allowing you to connect to Apple’s iCloud verification servers.

Many different reasons could cause the error connecting to Apple ID server.

  • Incorrect date and time.
  • iTunes authentication token glitch.
  • Using mobile data.
  • Wi-Fi network glitch.
  • Network security inconsistency.
  • Incorrect Apple ID password.
  • iOS glitches.
  • Missed verification code.

How to Fix Error Connecting to Apple ID Server

Here are the tips that will help you fix it when your Apple device says Error Connecting to Apple ID Server.

  1. Check Apple Servers Status
  2. Retry Login
  3. Update Time & Date
  4. Change Apple ID Password
  5. Use Wi-Fi Connection
  6. Use Verification Code Option
  7. Reset Network Settings
  8. Update iOS
  9. Turn Off VPN
  10. Force Restart
  11. Contact Apple Support

1. Check the status of Apple servers

Apple system status page
Check Apple’s System Status page. Screenshot: Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

If you can’t sign in to Apple ID, the first thing you need to do is to check if Apple servers are down. This will assure you that the problem is not on your end.

  1. Visit the Apple System Status page
  2. Check that the iCloud services are green.

You’ll see a red dot next to the services that are down. If everything is working fine on Apple’s end, then the problem is on your end. Follow the troubleshooting tips below to solve this problem.

2. Retry Login

Signing out and signing in again to your Apple ID is the first thing you should try. This will reconnect your iPhone to Apple servers. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings.

Open settings app
Head over to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. After that, tap on your Name.

Tap on your name in Settings app-1
Tap on your name in Settings Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Scroll down and tap on Sign Out.

Sign out
Select Sign Out. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

4. Enter your Apple ID password, and tap Turn off

5. Sign back in with your Apple ID and password.

3. Update Time & Date

When you create a new backup on iCloud or restore your iPhone from an older backup file, iPhone compares the current date and time to the date and time of the backup on iCloud servers.

If they don’t match, you’ll probably see the error connecting to Apple ID server. Here’s how to update the time and date on your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app.

Open settings app
Go to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Then, tap on General.

General Menu in Settings
Tap on General. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Find Date & Time.

Date & Time in General
Select Date & Time. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

4. Following that, make sure Set Automatically is enabled.

Date-&-Time-Set Automatically
Enable Set Automatically. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

5. Restart your iPhone and check whether this fixed the problem. If not, move on to the next step.

4. Change Apple ID Password

If you’re still in trouble connecting to the Apple ID server, you can change your Apple ID password to fix the “wrong password” error. Sometimes you’re sure about the password you’re typing, but changing it will help you.

1. Open Settings.

Open settings app
Head over to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Tap on your Name.

Tap on your name in Settings app-1
Tap on your name in Settings. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Choose Password & Security (type your old Apple ID password if needed).

Password & security
Select Password & Security. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

4. Tap on Change Password.

Change Password
Choose Change Password. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

5. Type your current and new password and verify it. Then tap on Change.

6. Restart your iPhone and check if the error pops up again or not. If you’re still getting the error connecting to Apple ID server, continue to the next step below.

5. Use Wi-Fi Connection

Many Apple users have reported that switching from Cellular Data to Wi-Fi has fixed the issue immediately. Sometimes, iCloud, App Store or iTunes protocols will be interrupted on mobile data. Try that and see how it goes.

6. Use Verification Code Option

Face Connecting to Apple ID Server error only when you try to login to your Apple ID account. You can use the Verification Code option on another Apple device to help you access your account. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Settings app.

Open settings app
Go to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Tap on your Name.

Tap on your name in Settings app-1
Select your name. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Choose Password & Security and tap on Get Verification Code.

Password & security
Tap on Password & Security. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

Note that if Two-Factor Authentication is not active on your Apple ID account, you won’t be able to use the Verification Code option, and you can only change your password. 

7. Reset Network Settings

If none of the abovementioned solutions didn’t solve the Apple ID server connection, it’s time to reset your iPhone’s network settings.

There may be some connectivity issues, and this step may solve the problems. Before starting the process, keep in mind that resetting network settings will remove all Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, call settings, etc. To reset network settings:

1. Go to Settings.

Open settings app
Head over to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Open General.

General Menu in Settings
Choose General. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Then, choose Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Transfer or Reset iPhone in General menu
Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

4. Tap on Reset.

Reset in Transfer or Reset iPhone
Select Reset. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

5. Choose Reset Network Settings.

Reset Network Settings in iphone
Reset Network Settings. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

6. Finally, enter your passcode and let the process finish.

8. Update iOS

Check for any pending software updates on your iPhone. If the current iOS version causes the problem, updating it will fix it permanently.

To check for updates:

1. First, go to Settings.

Open settings app
Go to Settings. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Select General.

General Menu in iOS Settings
Tap on General. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. After that, choose Software Update.

Software update in General menu
Choose Software Update. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

4. Check if there’s any new version available or not. 

9. Turn Off Your VPN

Using a VPN on your iPhone may cause connectivity issues. Therefore, if you face the “Verification failed: There was an error connecting to the Apple ID Server” error, you’ll need to turn it off. To disable VPN on your iPhone, follow the steps below:

1. Open Settings

Open settings app
Head over to the Settings menu. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

2. Scroll down, and tap on General.

General Menu in iOS Settings
Tap on General. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

3. Tap VPN & Device Management.

iOS VPN & Device Management
Tap on VPN & Device Management. Screenshot: Herby Jasmin/Gotechtor

3. Turn off VPN by tapping on the toggle next to it. 

Disable VPN Status. Screenshot: Farhad Pashaei/Gotechtor

10. Force Restart

Restarting your iPhone may solve many minor problems, including Apple ID server connection errors. 

Follow the instructions in this article to restart your phone step by step.

11. Contact Apple Support

If all the above solutions failed, the last keeper would be to contact Apple Support. You can easily connect to technicians who will help you fix your problems. If there’s an Apple Store near where you live, drop by and ask for help. 

Final Thoughts

Facing a “Connecting to Apple ID Server” error when attempting to log in to your Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes, and App Store would be annoying.

This issue might be caused by a variety of reasons, including network and iOS issues, as well as an inaccurate date and time.

So, before you take your phone to a repair shop, try the methods outlined in this article.

Writer, Apple

Over the last decade, Farhad has gained hands-on experience with smartphones, laptops, accessories, wearables, printers, etc. If he's not writing, you can bet he's trying to keep up with the latest technology. He oversees coverage of iPhone, iOS, and Apple Watch for Gotechtor.

Farhad Pashaei

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