iTunes App Store error 8288, failure to download

After experiencing the same issue on multiple machines with the same operating system and iTunes versions i spoke with an experienced Apple Enterprise Support team member. They provided a solution with seems the be simplicity itself - after two days of careful consultation and screen sharing. By the way, hey couldn't reproduce the problem from their end, hence the feeling the the account itself might be the culprit. It is not an app blocking issue per-se, more an iTunes/Apple Account security 'feature'. If your account details or payment methods have been flagged for 'non-authorised activity' or 'suspicious transactions' it maybe suspended (with out notification or human intervention) until such times as your ID is re-established and the flag removed. Sometimes this can occur well after the said suspicious event. I my case i had multiple Apple accounts in several countries. Only one of which had the 'update error 8288' issue. This one account had been not been flagged as needing ID verification strangely. After changing the account payment method to "NONE' and then re-entering the required credit card details, the Enterprise rep verified my ID using the 3 questions set when the account was first created. Violå. Problem solved in this instance. All updates completed successfully and all machines. The Mac operating version or iTunes version was not really the issue in my case.

It appears there may have been a confluence of events regarding the “8288 error” resolution. Firstly, my inquiries offered up a solution that worked for me and others (and gave Apple an insight into the real issue), whilst in the background Apple MAY have fixed an accounts database or universal activity log issue that effected both myself and numerous others. The timing maybe accidental but my conversations seem the indicate that Apple were aware - if only for small numbers of users - of other instances to investigate. My contact did not want to discuss or address what was happening in the forums. Make of that what you will...

Fixed, for now.

See here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250153192

Fixed, for now.

See here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250153192

That link only works for level 6 and above.

tt2

Got the same problem, but not on MAC but on Windows. All updates to apps result in Error 8288 !

Same here too.

server issues or simple new Policy to stop downloading Updates via Itunes ?

Windows 7

You're not alone, but it isn't consistent. I can download app updates with iTunes 12.6.5.3 in High Sierra. Do you have any third party security software?

tt2

what do you mean by that

ThirdParty Sec software?

Anti virus or firewall software. Third party means unrelated to the main bits of software involved which are iTunes and the operating system.

tt2

.... Sometimes Apple's behavior is truly demonic.

I commend you to Hanlon's razor:

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity

tt2