If you are using an iPhone and Ticketmaster is detecting you as a bot, preventing you from purchasing tickets, there are a few things you can try to resolve the issue. The most likely reason you are being flagged as a bot is that Ticketmaster’s system sees your activity as suspicious or potentially scalping. However, there are ways legitimate customers on iPhones can get around these bot detections.
Use a different network or device
One of the easiest fixes is to try accessing Ticketmaster on a different network or device. Ticketmaster may have blacklisted your specific iPhone’s IP address, so connecting from another WiFi network, cellular data, or device like a computer could allow you to bypass the bot restriction. You can also try resetting your router or modem to get a new IP address if using your home WiFi network.
Clear cookies and website data
Clearing your cookies and website data can help reset your Ticketmaster session and make your iPhone appear like a brand new user. To do this on an iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This will wipe your browsing history, cookies, cache and other data that may be triggering the bot detection. Once cleared, close Safari entirely and reload Ticketmaster.
Try a different browser
The Ticketmaster website may be blocking your specific browser or Safari version from making purchases. Try opening the Ticketmaster site in a different mobile browser like Chrome, Firefox or Edge. If you don’t have another browser installed, download one from the App Store and attempt accessing Ticketmaster again. Using another browser can bypass bot restrictions implemented in Safari.
Disable content blockers and privacy protections
Some content blockers, ad blockers or privacy protection settings can interfere with Ticketmaster’s system and cause bot-like behavior. Try toggling off any of these protections in Safari or your browser. For example, disable Safari’s Prevent Cross-Site Tracking, Hide IP Address and other settings under Privacy & Security. Any extension or ad blocker should also be disabled as a test. This will make your browser appear more normal to Ticketmaster.
Use the mobile app instead of mobile web
The Ticketmaster mobile website may be more strict than the iOS app when detecting bots, especially if you are accessing Ticketmaster frequently or rapidly. Try purchasing tickets directly in the Ticketmaster app instead – you can download it for free from the App Store. The app may utilize different bot detection versus the mobile site. Log into your Ticketmaster account in the app and attempt finding and buying the tickets you want.
Call Ticketmaster support
If you have tried the above troubleshooting steps and are still blocked from purchasing tickets on your iPhone, you can call Ticketmaster support for further assistance. Explain your situation – that you are trying to buy tickets on an iPhone but it says you are a bot. They may be able to whitelist your account or device to remove the bot restriction after verifying your identity.
Use a different Ticketmaster account
Your specific Ticketmaster account could be flagged for suspicious activity that is triggering the bot detection. Try creating a brand new Ticketmaster account and signing in on your iPhone. Use a different email address, password, and payment details if possible. This new account will appear as a brand new user without any prior history, which may bypass the bot blocking. Purchase the tickets you want with the new account.
Try again later or from a different location
Bot blocking measures implemented by Ticketmaster are often temporary and triggered by suspicious activity. After some time passes, try repurchasing the tickets from your iPhone in a new Ticketmaster browsing session. Additionally, try on cell data or another WiFi network in case your IP was the trigger. Waiting and trying again later or from a new location can help.
Don’t make too many requests too quickly
If you are repeatedly searching for tickets or refreshing results too frequently, Ticketmaster may interpret this as bot scalping behavior. Try to limit how many requests you make – search once, pick your tickets, and checkout. Rapidly looking up different ticket options can appear like a bot to Ticketmaster’s systems so slow down your searching.
Verify your humanity
On the Ticketmaster purchase page, look for an option to “Verify your humanity” by selecting images or solving a captcha. This allows you to prove you are not a bot. Select the correct verification images or enter the captcha phrase and you should be able to proceed with ticket checkout. Verifying yourself as human via captcha is a common way to bypass bot protections.
Use a VPN connection
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can mask your iPhone’s IP address and make your traffic appear like it’s coming from another location. Connect to a VPN server and then try accessing Ticketmaster to see if this tricks the system into thinking you are not a bot since you will have a different IP. Free or paid VPN apps can easily be downloaded from the App Store.
Try Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange
If attempting to buy tickets being resold from another user, try Ticketmaster’s official Ticket Exchange platform. This is the safest way to buy verified resale tickets and avoids any bot flags from suspicious third parties. Navigate to the event page and look for a Ticket Exchange tab to browse available resale tickets. Buying directly from Ticket Exchange also guarantees your tickets are valid.
Don’t use public WiFi
Free public WiFi hotspots can appear suspicious to Ticketmaster since they route many different users through a single IP address. Avoid purchasing tickets while connected to public WiFi. Instead, use a personal WiFi or cellular data connection which will identify your individual device directly when communicating with Ticketmaster.
Purchase on a computer instead
The Ticketmaster website may be more bot sensitive when accessed on iPhones versus a desktop computer. Try purchasing the tickets you want directly via the Ticketmaster website on a PC or Mac. Use a personal laptop, work computer or library computer instead of your mobile device. Purchasing from a recognized computer rather than phone can sometimes avoid bot detection issues.
Don’t share or resell your tickets
If Ticketmaster flagged you as a bot for purchasing tickets you relisted for resale on third party sites, avoid doing this going forward. Stick to only buying tickets you directly intend to use, or resell within Ticketmaster’s official channels. Getting flagged for reselling tickets and suspicious purchasing patterns can lead to bot restrictions.
Contact the event venue
For tickets to live events, contact the concert venue, theater, arena or other establishment directly. Explain your situation with Ticketmaster blocking your iPhone and see if they can directly sell you tickets over the phone or at their box office. Venues want to fill seats, so may allow sales even if you are having issues with Ticketmaster’s website or app.
Use auto-fillers sparingly
Auto-filling apps like LastPass that populate form fields quickly can also appear bot-like to Ticketmaster. Use auto-fillers sparingly when purchasing tickets, like just for your personal info. Manually enter payment details instead of auto-filling if possible. Minimize how much data is auto-populated so you appear more human.
Try general or fan club presales
If having issues getting tickets during high demand periods like public on-sales, try buying during presales instead. Fan club, venue, artist, and credit card presales often have tickets reserved before the general public on-sale. Restrict your activity to only the presale for a lower volume chance of getting flagged as a bot when competing against fewer buyers.
Don’t panic buy or make rushed decisions
Bot activity is often characterized by very fast searching and purchasing. Avoid panic buying tickets the second they go on sale, which can look automated. Take your time searching options before purchasing. Also slow down and reconsider transactions before rapidly changing selections and quantities. More deliberate buying appears more human.
Use Ticketmaster with Apple Pay
Purchasing tickets with Apple Pay can help identify you as an iPhone user and not an automated bot. When given the option, choose Apple Pay at checkout instead of manually entering credit card details. Apple Pay confirms your human identity and ties your Ticketmaster account to your iPhone directly to prevent bot detection issues.
Buy from the Ticketmaster app, not third parties
Only purchase tickets directly through the official Ticketmaster iOS app or website. Third party resellers can engage in more bot activity that may result in Ticketmaster blocking associated accounts or IPs. Stick to official Ticketmaster sales channels on your iPhone for less chance of bot restrictions.
Be patient and keep trying
Bot blocking measures are not permanent, so be patient and keep reliably trying Ticketmaster without making too many requests. Limit searches before purchasing and take breaks between attempts. Being flagged as a bot is frustrating but often a temporary restriction that will clear over time allowing you to buy tickets from your iPhone.