Italian servers DNS not resolving Apple App Store

OSX_rulez

Hello, I've reported this bug to an Italian F-Secure representative and through the Freedome app feedback, but the issue was not resolved.

The Italian Freedome DNS servers do not resolve both iOS and macOS App Store, so when you open the App Store there's an alert "impossible to connect". The odd thing is I can update the installed apps.

If I switch to another EU server it works. This happens since months and it's really annoying. I tried on several iPhones and Mac with different macOS versions.

Please fix it, thank you.

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

Yes, we are aware of this issue as previously stated and all effort to get Apple to rectify and unblock our Italian IP proved abortive so that is why the Apple Store keeps displaying the error "Cannot Connect to App Store - retry"

We shall keep trying until there is a lasting solution to this issue soonest. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

I was able to reproduce this issue and it has been reported to the relevant team for immediate action.

Be sure that we will revert with any development as they unfold.

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

As earlier mentioned that we are already aware of this issue, we have since commenced a formal investigation with Apple.

We are doing our best to get this rectified as soon as we can but this really depend on how fast we get the response from Apple. We will keep you updated here on any outcome.

OSX_rulez

@Jaims Hi, thank you for investigating about the issue. I updated to Freedome 3.3.0.8392 but still I can't access the App Store via your Italian server.

Why do you think it's an Apple side problem and not of your DNS resolver?

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

Sincere apologies about this issue. You are still unable to access App Store while connected to the Milan node on Freedome VPN because the issue is still pending at Apple's end and there is no resolution yet.

We will update here once we have a fix.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

OSX_rulez

@Jaims Hi, I had the same problem a few days ago using the Paris node, but only from macOS (Big Sur) while it was working from the iPhone (but I didn't check if they were connected to the same IP).

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

So far, we do not have such report regarding our Paris node.

Maybe you would want to double check if it's the same IP address or try to update or reinstall Freedome VPN on the affected device.

OSX_rulez

@Jaims Hi, I compared the issue using differents devices, and the problem arises using the server with IP 45.87.186.77 while it works on 159.122.148.5

Jaims

Hi @OSX_rulez

We were able to replicate the issue of not being able to connect to Appstore. However, not able to replicate the issue of DNS queries not being resolved by collecting the queries sent by iPhone and then trying them out on a Windows device through the same gateway.

Was there some further evidence that it is indeed the DNS queries that are not being resolved? It may well be that Apple has blocked access from our Italian IP addresses (at IP / HTTPS level) to the Appstore front due to e.g. some abuse through Freedome. While they both block users, the ways to try to fix the issue may be quite different.

OSX_rulez

@Jaims Hi, I don't know, but if it's a block on the Apple side it's a weird one, because the iOS updates do work. All the rest doesn't, I mean you can't search, you can't download a new app.

If you click on whatever section of the iOS App store (games, app, arcade etc...) it only shows "Impossible to connect to Appe Store". But when I click on my profile I can see the downloaded apps and the available updates.