10 Ways to Fix Cannot Verify Server Identity on iPhone/iPad

User Concern

“I have a popop window that keeps showing up on my iPhone screen. How do I remove 'cannot verify server identiry' off my iPhone 15?”

Are you seeing the "Cannot Verify Server Identity" error on your iPhone? It is a common issue you may encounter while using the Mail app. This problem can be very frustrating as it will prevent you from sending and receiving emails.

So, what does this error message mean and how can you fix it? Don't worry. In this article, we’ll explain why your iPhone shows this error and walk you through the best ways to fix it. Let’s dive in!

What Does Cannot Verify Server Identity Mean?

If you open the Mail app and see the “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error, it usually means that the SSL certificate on the mail server doesn’t match the server settings on your iPhone. When your iPhone tries to confirm the certificate’s reliability by checking it against the domain name, the mismatch causes the verification to fail. As a result, the certificate is marked as untrusted, and you get the error message.

Why Does My iPhone Say Cannot Verify Server Identity?

Your iPhone may display the “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error when it tries to connect to an untrusted server - often one with an expired, mismatched, or invalid SSL certificate. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your device is under cyberattack. Other common causes include outdated iOS versions, incorrect email settings, or glitches in your network settings, all of which can interfere with secure connections.

How to Fix Cannot Verify Server Identity on iPhone/iPad?

If you cannot verify server identity on your iPhone or iPad, don’t worry, below are some effective solutions you can take to get rid of the problem.

1. Restart Your iPhone

Before trying any advanced fixes, restart your iPhone. A simple reboot can often clear temporary software glitches or resolve SSL certificate mismatches. Here’s how to restart your iPhone, depending on your model:

• For iPhone X or newer versions, keep pressing the Side button and either Volume button together until you see the power off slider.
• For iPhone 8 or older versions, keep pressing the Top or Side button until the power off slider appears on the screen.

Drag the slider to power off the iPhone. Wait a while, then press and hold the Top or Side button again to turn the device back on.

2. Close and Restart the Mail App

Sometimes, the problem can occur because of a glitch on the Mail app. In this case, restarting the app may solve the problem.

• Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen (For older iPhones, just double-tap the Home button) to bring the app tray.
• Find the Mail app from there and close it by swiping the app window. Open the app again after that and see if it works perfectly.

3. Delete Your Email Account and Add It Back

Removing the email account and re-adding it will reset the server identity details, which may help to solve the issue. Here is how to do this:

• Go to Settings and then Mail > Accounts.
• Next, press on the email account you're using for the Mail app.
• Finally, click Delete Account > Delete from My iPhone.

This action will remove the email account from your device. To add it back, go to Mail > Add Account, enter your login details, and your email account will be set up again.

4. Disable SSL Certificates

If you're still seeing the “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error on your iPhone or iPad, you can try disabling the SSL certificate for the affected email account. Follow these steps to do so:

• Open the Settings app and tap Mail.
• Tap Accounts to view all email accounts linked to your device.
• Select the email account showing the error, then tap Account Settings.
• Choose Advanced and find the Use SSL option and toggle it off.

5. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your iPhone’s network settings will restore all Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPN configurations to their default state. This can help eliminate any network-related glitches that may be affecting apps like Mail. Here’s how to reset network settings:

• Open iPhone’s Settings and go to General.
• Scroll down to find and tap the Transfer or Reset iPhone option.
• Tap Reset and select the Reset Network Settings option. Enter the passcode if prompted and confirm the operation.

6. Reset All Settings

Sometimes the settings of the apps on your iPhone can interfere and cause the issue. As it can be hard to find which app is causing the issue, you can try to reset all settings on your iPhone. Here is how to do this:

• On your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General.
• Scroll down to find the Transfer or Reset iPhone option and tap on it.
• Tap Reset and choose the Reset All Settings option. Enter the phone’s passcode to confirm the reset.

7. Update iOS and Carrier Settings

An outdated iOS version can cause problems with email syncing, which may trigger the “Cannot Verify Server Identity” error. Updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version can often resolve this issue quickly.

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if new iOS versions are available.
• If so, Download and Install the update.

Updating the carrier settings can also be useful if some network problems cause the error. To update carrier settings:

• Go to Settings > General > About.
• Scroll down to find the carrier section. Complete the update if available.

8. Factory Reset Your iPhone (Data Loss)

If you still cannot solve the issue, consider factory resetting your iPhone. Keep in mind that this will erase all your data and settings, so it’s important to back up your device before proceeding. Here’s how to reset your iPhone to factory settings:

• Head over to Settings > General and click on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Now press Erase All Content and Settings.
• Enter the passcode and follow the on-screen guide to complete the factory reset.

9. Fix iPhone Cannot Verify Server Identity without Data Loss

Fortunately, there is a way to solve the problem and bring your iPhone to normal state without losing any data. You can use the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery tool for this. It allows you to solve more than 200 iOS system-related issues quickly and efficiently. The powerful tool is easy to use and lets you fix any iOS-related issues safely. And the best thing is there is no chance of losing your data while using it.

Let’s see how to fix iPhone cannot verify server identity without data loss:

Step 1: Download and install the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on your Windows or Mac computer. Then, launch the program and choose Standard Mode on the homepage.

Step 2: Now plug your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. If your device is in the normal state and running iOS 12 or later, unlock the phone and press Next.

If the device is not detected by the software, boot it into the DFU or Recovery mode by following the on-screen guide.

Step 3: You will now notice the available iOS versions and your iPhone model in the app interface. Select the preferred version of the Firmware and press Download.

Step 4: Wait for the FoneGeek program to download and verify the iOS firmware. Once ready, click Fix Now to start the repair process. After a short time, your iPhone will restart and back to normal.

10. Contact Email Service Provider or Apple Support

If none of the above solutions work, the issue might be with your email service provider. They could be undergoing maintenance or facing technical problems. In such cases, it’s best to contact your provider to get more information and ask them to resolve or reconfigure the email server settings.

You can also reach out to Apple Support, especially if you suspect the problem lies with Apple’s servers. Reporting the issue to them may help find a solution.

The Bottom Line

There you have it, 10 different fixes to solve the iPhone cannot verify server identity. We hope you will be able to get rid of the issue following the solutions we outlined above.

If you are sure that a system error is causing the issue, don't waste your time trying all the methods. Instead, make use of the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery software to fix the problem easily and quickly.