Stuck with “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” error on Mac? Unable to connect to the iTunes store? iTunes happens to be an integral part of Apple devices. It acts as a primary control centre that helps you in getting various tasks done. From downloading and organizing media to backing up and restoring your device, iTunes is the heart of all Apple devices. So, when you’re unable to use iTunes due to any reason, this sounds nothing less than bad news.
So, why do you keep getting these messages while connecting to iTunes? Why is iTunes unable to verify or authenticate server details?
In this post, we will clear all your doubts on “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” issue along with a few quick troubleshooting tips that will help you to fix this error.
Let’s get started.
What does it mean when iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server?
As soon as you try to launch iTunes on your Mac, you may encounter this error of unidentified server. Once you experience this error on iTunes, you’re left with two choices. First, you either hit the “Continue” button where you connect to the server anyway. But along with this, Apple gives you a pre-warning that it might put your confidential information at risk. And the next option is “Cancel” that will close the error window and won’t fix the issue.
So, what to do next?
When you update iTunes, or when you install a security update the “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” error may occur on your Mac device. Tech experts say that one of the most common reasons why you’re not able to connect to iTunes through a verified server is due to the presence of malicious apps on your device that may put your system at risk.
How to Fix the “Can’t Verify Server Identity” Error on iTunes ?
Follow these below-mentioned quick steps that will help you troubleshoot the “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” error on your Mac.
First, terminate the iTunes application on your device, if in case it’s already active. Close the App Store window as well, to be sure.
Navigate to Applications> Utilities and then select “Keychain Access”.
Tap on the “System Roots” option from the left menu pane. And then right under the Category section, tap on “Certificates”.
Here you will see a lengthy list of all the certificate services that were used on your device, double-click on each certificate to open up the details.
Now, this may require a little hard work. You need to go through this entire list, double-tap on every certificate to check info. Wherever you see a blue-dot with a plus sign on a certificate, follow these next set of steps.
In the certificate window where you see the blue-dot plus icon, tap on it to make sure you fulfill the following criteria.
Under the “Trust” section, set “When using this certificate” value as “Use System Defaults and then set the “Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)” value to the “No Value Specified” option.
Close the certificate window and then re-open it to check whether the blue-dot plus icon disappeared from the certificate. Doing so will ensure that your updated changes were successfully stored.
So, you need to follow this process with all the certificates where you see a blue dot embedded with a plus symbol. The ultimate objective of this process is to make sure that there’s no certificate left in the list with a blue-dot plus icon.
When you have thoroughly scanned the entire list of certificates, close the Keychain Access window and re-launch iTunes to check whether it fixed the issue. Yes, it may take up a little time and effort, but it will help you to troubleshoot the “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” error.
Contact iTunes Support
A lot of users reported that they were unable to spot any certificate with a blue-dot plus icon. Hence, they were unable to do anything further. If you’re also experiencing the same issue, you can try contacting the iTunes Support team as a last resort. Reach out to the experts so that they can guide you through an effective solution.
We hope our quick guide on how to fix “iTunes can’t verify the identity of the server” error on Mac. In the majority of cases, the steps mentioned above will help you troubleshoot this issue so that you regain access to iTunes again on your device.
For any other queries or doubts, feel free to write to us. Good luck, fellas!