Mac App Store Doesn't Download Anything

Yesterday, I tried to download two apps from the App Store. The apps were Google Drive and Google Docs. Although I was able to install Google Drive without any problems, I could not download Google Docs as I was receiving a strange error message saying:

Lately Mac app store has stopped showing any updates. It always says 'No updates available'. Mac app store doesn't show any updates. Ask Question Asked 4 years, 7 months ago. Interrupted Mac App Store Download - Xcode. App Store keeps on trying and failing to update iMovie and iPhoto on Mountain Lion. Bring Trello to Mac in a dedicated workspace. The Trello Desktop App features native notifications, powerful enhancements and more - away from the distractions of your browser. Stay productive with a beautiful minimal interface that doesn’t get in the way of your work. Create new cards instantly from anywhere with a Quick Add window. I want to download apps in the Mac App Store and the apps won't start to download. As you can see in the pictures below, the spinner starts spinning but nothing gets downloaded, the download simply doesn't start. I am logged in with my account. I tried logging out of the App Store and logging in again, restarting the Mac etc, nothing helped.

“Unable to Download App. “Google Docs” could not be downloaded at this time” with Done and Retry options. Tapping Retry was also giving me the same error again.

When you download an app, it should work as promised. Which is why human App Reviewers ensure that the apps on the App Store adhere to our strict app review standards. Our App Store Review Guidelines require apps to be safe, provide a good user experience, comply with our privacy rules, secure devices from malware and threats, and use approved.

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  3. How To Fix The Download Problem. The easiest solution would be to empty your App Store’s temporary download cache folder. This solution works most of the time and it is easy to do. But before you start fixing your Mac download problems, run a scan of your computer first to make sure there are no corrupt files or cache affecting your App Store.

One other thing I realized was that the Google Docs icon was on the home screen but the app was not installed the icon was in a different darker color and was saying “waiting…”

There are many reasons for the problem, it is highly likely that, if you are having this issue, you are having a connection problem. But the good news is that it is usually easy to fix.

It is obvious that you need to make sure that your iPhone (or iPad, iPod touch) has a Wi-Fi connection or a cellular-data connection.

I listed the potential solutions below. The solution that worked for me is solution #7.

See also:

See this article, if you are unable to connect to the Mac App Store.

iOS App Store: Unable to Download App Fixes

Please try the solutions below. Make sure to check your iPad or iPhone after each step to see if App Store downloads start working.

Before we start make sure that you have an active Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. You can easily check this:

  • On your device, open Safari or any other browser.
  • Type macreports.com and tap go.
  • Does the web site load? If not, you may be having a connection problem.

Another important point is that it is rare, but it is also possible that the App Store service is down. You can check the status of the App Store service by going to the Apple System Status site.

Solution 1: Airplane mode

Photos App Won't Open Mac

Turn on Airplane Mode by going to Settings > Airplane mode and wait about a minute and turn back off.

Solution 2: Restart your iPhone or iPad

Simply restart your device. Here is how you can do that:

  • iPhone X, 11 or later and iPad with Face ID models: Press and hold the side or top and the volume up (or down) buttons together until you see the power off slider. Then drag the slider. Wait about a minute. And then press and hold the side or top button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Other iPhone models and iPad with a Home button models. You can restart these devices by pressing and holding the on/off (sleep/wake – top or side) button until you see the red slider and then slide the red slider. Wait about a minute. Then turn your device back on by pressing and holding on/off button until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 3: Restart the App Store app

Here is how you can do that:

  • iPhone X or later or iPad with iOS 12 or later: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen. This will open the App Switcher. Locate the App Store app preview and swipe up on it to close it. Then reopen the App Store app.
  • iPhone 8 or earlier: Double press the home button. You will see your open apps. Find the App Store app and swipe up. Then launch the app and try again.

Solution 4: Sign out and then sign in

Here is how you can do this:

  • Launch the App Store app. If your device is running iOS 12 or earlier, tap Today (located at the bottom of your screen) and then tap your profile icon (located at the top of your screen). If your device is running a newer version of the iOS software, tap your profile icon. Scroll to the bottom and find your Apple ID. Tap that and select Sing Out.
  • Now open the App Store app. Then Sing back in by going to App Store > Sign in (scroll to the bottom again).

Solution 5: Update your device

Mac App Store Doesn't Download Anythingg

Updating your device to the latest iOS version may fix this. You can do so wirelessly. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

This is important because iOS must be updated periodically. You may be having this issue because of a bug in the software. And an update may include your fix.

Solution 6: Google DNS

You may try changing your iPhone’s or iPad’s DNS (domain name system) servers. Here is how:

  • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  • Find your Wi-Fi connection.
  • Then tap the (i) button.
  • Tap the DNS field.
  • Delete the current numbers there and enter the new Google DNS numbers: 8.8.8.8.
  • Tap Wi-Fi to go back. The changes you made will be saved.

How to download raw files to mac. Solution 7: VPN

This is what fixed my issue. I had already installed a few VPN (virtual private network) apps. One of them was Opera VPN. I simply turned this app on and then I successfully downloaded the app.

Solution 8: Force restartDownload mac os 9.2 2 emac.

Force restart your device. Apple’s website explains how you can do that. This may fix the problem. Here is how you can force restart your device:

  • iPad with Face ID models and iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the volume up button and press and release the volume down button and then press and hold the side or top button until you see the Apple logo.
  • iPhone 7 models: Press and hold the top/side and the volume down buttons together until the Apple logo appears.
  • Other iPhone and iPad models: Press and hold the side/top and the Home buttons together until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 9: Try a different Internet connection

Go to another place and use a different Wi-Fi connection (e.g., school lab, library or your friend).

Solution 10: Time settings

On your device, tap Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Also make sure that your time zone is correct, if it is not, fix it.

If your time settings are correct, and turning on Set Automatically does not fix the issue, try this: turn off Set Automatically and change your settings to a future date and time and try again. If you get the error message, turn on Set Automatically.

Solution 11: Restart your router

Restarting your router may fix your problem. To do this, disconnect your router from its power source then wait about a minute and reconnect.

Solution 12: Powercycle

Complete these steps:

  • Turn on your iPad, iPhone or iPod.
  • Unplug the power cord from your modem and router.
  • Plugin your modem and wait until the modem turns on completely.
  • Plugin your router and wait until your router turns on completely.
  • Now turn on your device and try downloading the app.

These solutions will likely fix your problem. As I stated above, this error typically points to an Internet connectivity problem. This connection problem is preventing your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch from reaching the Apple servers. Following the steps above will help you resolve this.


You can browse and buy apps in the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, on your Apple Watch, on your Mac, or on your Apple TV.

Browse and buy

To download and buy apps from the App Store, you need an Apple ID. Your Apple ID is the account that you use to access Apple services. If you use other Apple services like iCloud, sign in to the App Store with the same Apple ID. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one.

If you're in the App Store on any of your devices and see the download button near an app, you already bought or downloaded that app. When you tap or click the download button , the app downloads to your device again, but you are not charged again. You can also see a list of apps that you purchased and redownload them.

Learn what payment methods you can use to buy apps and other content. You can also create an Apple ID without a payment method when you download a free app.

T Mac Download Free

How to buy apps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Tap the App Store app on your Home screen.
  2. Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
  3. Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
    If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.

After your app finishes downloading, you can move it to a different spot on your Home screen. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.

You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.

If an app is sold with an iMessage app or sticker pack, you can open it in Messages.

How to buy apps on your Apple Watch

With watchOS 6, you can download apps directly from the App Store on your Apple Watch. You can also add apps to your Apple Watch from your iPhone.

  1. Open the App Store app.
  2. Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then tap the app.
  3. Tap the price or tap Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.

Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.

If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they download an app or make an in-app purchase. Learn more about in-app purchases.

How to buy apps on your Mac

Mac App Store

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Browse or search for the app that you want to download. Apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch don't always have a version for Mac.
  3. Click the app.
  4. Click the price, then click Buy App. If you don't see a price, click Get, then click Install App. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID. If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.

After your app finishes downloading, you can find it and keep it organized in Launchpad. Apps stay up-to-date by default, but you can learn more about updating apps.

You can make additional purchases within some apps. If you set up Family Sharing, you can use Ask to Buy so that kids must get permission before they make in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.

How to buy apps on your Apple TV

  1. Open the App Store on your Apple TV.
  2. Browse or search for the app that you want to download, then select the app.
  3. Select the price or select Get. You might need to sign in with your Apple ID.
    If you find a game that says Arcade, subscribe to Apple Arcade to play the game.

After your app finishes downloading, you can move it around on your Home screen. Your apps will update automatically.

You can make additional purchases within some apps. You can use Restrictions to restrict, block, or allow in-app purchases. Learn more about in-app purchases.

The App Store isn’t available on Apple TV (3rd generation or earlier).

Get information about an app

If you want to know specific information about an app, like what languages the app is available in, the app’s file size, or its compatibility with other Apple devices, scroll to the bottom of an app’s page. You might be able to tap some sections to learn more.

Mac App Store Doesn't Download Anything Windows 10

You can also contact the app developer for help with an app's functionality.

Get help with billing

  • Learn what to do if you see a charge from an app that you don't recognize.
  • Learn how to cancel an in-app subscription.
  • If you can’t update your apps because your payment method is declined, update or change your payment method.
  • If you have another issue with an app, report a problem or contact Apple Support.

Learn more

  • If your App Store is missing or you can't find it on your device, you might have parental controls turned on. Adjust your iTunes & App Store Purchases settings and make sure that you choose 'Allow' for the Installing Apps setting.
  • Learn what to do if an app unexpectedly quits, stops responding while installing, or won't open.
  • Learn what to do if you can't download apps, or if apps get stuck.
  • If you want to download apps that are larger than 200 MB over cellular, go to Settings > [your name] > iTunes & App Store, then tap App Downloads and choose the option that you want.
  • If you bought part of an apps bundle, the price of the full apps bundle is reduced by the amount you already spent.