App store itself won't open

Symptoms

• Tapping the app store icon does nothing or crashes it
• Store opens but shows a blank or broken screen
• Error message when trying to browse or search
• Other apps work fine, just the store is affected

Likely causes

• CommonWeak or no internet connectionThe store needs a connection to load its content and can fail to open properly without one.
• CommonTemporary glitch or crash in the store appLike any app, the store itself can occasionally crash or hang.
• PossibleServer-side outage affecting the app store serviceWidespread outages happen occasionally and affect everyone, not just your phone.
• PossibleCorrupted cache within the store appCached data can become corrupted and prevent normal operation.
• Less commonOutdated OS not fully compatible with the current store versionVery old software versions can occasionally have compatibility issues with the store.

What to do

1. Check your internet connection is working in another app.
2. Force-close the store app and reopen it.
3. Restart the phone.
4. Check the manufacturer's system status page for a reported outage.
5. Clear the store app's cache in phone settings, if that option is available.
6. Update the phone's OS to the latest version.
7. Sign out and back into your account within the store app.

When to call a pro

If the store still won't open after a full OS update and restart, contact the manufacturer's support, since it may need an account or server-side fix.

Safety