What Does it Mean When iTunes Can’t Verify the Identity of the Server

iTunes is the most comprehensive and well-known multi-media and syncing software by Apple. It has a significant role in connecting the devices across the various platform in the Apple ecosystem. iTunes is used to sync media, documents, and movies across devices and browse and buy music albums. To cut the story short, iTunes has an enormous role in maintaining and managing devices across several platforms.

The recent updates from Apple have prompted an irritable error in iTunes that, "iTunes can't verify the identity of the server.” The prompt error window will also specify the server that it can not verify. The issue mainly arises on mac and limits connectivity to many servers.

Why does this error appear?

After the iTunes update 11.0.3, an error started to pop up while connecting with the iTunes on Mac. The error communicates the system's inability to verify the identity of the server. The error window also visualizes the server name. An option again pops up that asks for the user's permission to continue. It warns the user that if the press continues, they might be putting their privacy and personal data at the risk of attacks.

The error can appear due to many reasons, and the solutions for these are easy and reliable. We will walk you through the process to eliminate the error but first, let's take a look at identifying the cause of the error.

• The first cause of the error is that iTunes cannot trust the server's certificates hence blocks access.
• The cache of the iTunes might be corrupted.
• The server is nonresponsive or carries a threat.
• The app store is corrupted.

Solution

This error can be solved in 3 ways.

• They are allowing certificate access by default.
• By clearing cache
• By launching iTunes in safe mode

By Keychain Access

This method is quite technical and lengthy, but it resolves the issue for almost all the servers. The technique involves bypassing the trust protocols built-in iTunes. Since the error starts appearing after official updates from Apple, the risk of malicious attacks or spammy software is relatively low, and chances are less that anything will harm your device. However, be careful if you are attempting to bypass the trust certificates without any reason.

The method is quiet and reliable. This method involves Keychain Access. First of all, you have to close down iTunes and Appstore.

1. Close Appstore and iTunes on your Mac, and all other unnecessary applications are running in the background.
2. Open a Finder window and click on the Applications button in the side menu and then find
3. Find Key Chain Access and open it, and a window will appear with several options.
4. Find the system log setting and System Root option. You will find it under the Key chain access section.
5. Now you have to open Certificates; all the certificates will appear on the page. You can find the certificates option in the Keychain section's side menu.
6. Once you have opened the certificates, the next step is to identify the certificates with blue dots or a plus sign in front of them. After identification, repeat the following procedure to complete the error solution.
   • Double-click on the certificate will open a window with a list of drop-down menus.
   • Click on the Trust drop list. You will see a window with many options for that certificate.
   • The first drop-down menu box is "When using this certificate," here select "Use system default.”
   • Once this is done, move to the second drop-down list of the "Secure Socket layer," choose the option of "no value specified.”
     • Now close the certificate to apply the settings. You might have to provide your administrator password.
     • To ensure that it is done, re-open the certificate by a simple double click and make sure that “When using this certificate" is set at “Use system default.” If not, then select the option and close the certificate. If the blue dot and the plus sign vanish from the certificate, then you have successfully enabled the certificate.
7. Repeat the process for all the certificates with a blue spot in front of them.
8. Close the settings and restart your computer. Now the iTunes will work fine.

Fix date and time

Often, browsing and server errors appear because the date and time on your computer are not accurate, which causes a clash with server time and date. Make sure that you set the date and time correctly.

Clear Cache Memory of your Mac

Such errors can also occur due to the cache overload and junk files in cache memory. It can be eradicated by clearing the junk files, old logs, and trash. To clear the iTunes cache, follow these steps

1. Close iTunes and open finder.
2. Use Command + Shift + G shortcut and paste the following path in Go to folder prompt “~/Library/Caches/com.apple.itunes”
3. Move all the files to the Trash folder.
4. Clear the files from the trash and close the folder.
5. Restart iTunes; it should work correctly.

Launch iTunes in Safe Mode

Launching iTunes in safe mode can solve the issue "iTunes can't verify the identity of the server” if upon launching iTunes in safe mode solve the error, then it is implied that a third-party script is causing the error, and this error can be removed. You can also keep using iTunes in safe mode.

Launching iTunes in safe mode is very easy and is just a two-step process.

1. To initiate the process, press and hold the Ctrl plus Shift keys.
2. Now go to the iTunes icon and by double-clicking open the app. A message box will appear telling you that iTunes is running in safe mode.
3. Click continue, iTunes will start in safe mode, and you can enjoy the iTunes experience.