To check whether an Apple service is down, open Apple’s System Status page (search for “Apple System Status” or go to apple.com/support/systemstatus). Each service, such as iCloud Mail, iMessage, FaceTime, the App Store and Apple Music, has a coloured dot: green means available; yellow or red means an issue or outage. Click a flagged service to see when the problem started and who’s affected.
Quick Answer
Open Apple’s System Status page, find the service, and check its dot. Green = working. Anything else = a known problem Apple is working on.
Steps to Check Apple System Status
- Open a browser and go to Apple’s System Status page.
- Find the service you’re having trouble with.
- If it’s not green, click it to read details and the time it started.
- Developers can check the separate Developer System Status page for developer services.
What the Colours Mean
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Available | Troubleshoot your own device or connection |
| Yellow (issue) | Some users affected or reduced performance | Wait and check back |
| Red (outage) | Service unavailable | Wait for Apple to fix it |
| Maintenance note | Planned work | Check the listed time window |
If Everything Shows Green
- Check your internet connection and try another network.
- Sign out and back in to your Apple Account for that service.
- Restart the device and update to the latest software.
- Check the date and time are set automatically.
Which Service Should You Check?
Apple’s System Status page lists close to 80 separate services, so it helps to know which line matches your problem:
| Your problem | Service to check |
|---|---|
| Can’t sign in on a device or to iCloud.com | Apple Account; iCloud Account & Sign In |
| Messages won’t send as blue bubbles | iMessage |
| FaceTime calls fail | FaceTime |
| Apps won’t download or update | App Store (Mac App Store on a Mac) |
| Photos, files or backups won’t sync | Photos, iCloud Drive, iCloud Backup |
| Email to an @icloud.com address isn’t arriving | iCloud Mail |
| Payments fail in shops or apps | Apple Pay, Wallet |
| A new iPhone won’t finish setup | iOS Device Activation |
| A Mac update won’t download | macOS Software Update |
| Siri doesn’t respond | Siri |
Check When the Page Was Updated
At the bottom of the page, Apple shows when the status was last updated. If a problem has only just started, refresh the page after a few minutes; Apple usually posts an issue once it’s confirmed, so very new problems may not appear straight away. If your issue isn’t listed at all, the page includes a link to contact Apple Support.
Is It Apple, Your Network or Your Device?
- Try another service. If websites and other apps also fail, the problem is your internet connection, not Apple.
- Switch networks. Turn off Wi-Fi to use mobile data, or the other way round. If the Apple service starts working, your router or network is the cause.
- Try another device. If iMessage works on your iPad but not your iPhone with the same Apple Account, focus on the iPhone’s settings.
- Check the time zone. Make sure Date & Time is set automatically; a wrong clock can break secure connections to Apple’s servers.
- Look for a VPN or content filter. Turn it off temporarily, as some block Apple services.
Developers and Businesses
App developers should also check the separate Developer System Status page, linked from the main page, which covers developer services such as App Store Connect. Businesses and schools can see Apple Business and Apple School Manager on the main page.
Troubleshooting
- App Store won’t connect: See fixing App Store connection problems.
- Recovery server errors on a Mac: See recovery server could not be contacted.
- iCloud sign-in problems: See setting up iCloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does the page update?
Usually within minutes to hours of Apple confirming an issue, so very new or small problems may not show yet.
Does it show problems with my own account?
No. It shows service-wide issues only.
Is there an app for it?
No official app; bookmark the web page.
Summary
- Open Apple’s System Status page.
- Find the service and check its colour.
- Click issues for details.
- If green, troubleshoot your own device.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.