Redownload Unavailable with This Apple ID

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Level 1

33 points

Redownload Unavailable with This Apple ID

I bought a new computer (used, but a fresh new install) a few days ago, now when I go to the App Store list of items that I purchased - some only last week - I get...

"This update is not available for this Apple ID either because it was bought by a different user or the item was refunded or cancelled."

I have been using the same Apple ID, and they are listed as items I purchased... with this user ID... last week! ... and some of them are simply free items anyway!!!!

So why have apple IDs ALWAYS BEEN FRUSTRATING, like a moving target, that's invisible, and keeps taking money out of my pocket!!!!!!!

Catalina 10.15.5...

Old threads on this were useless and they directed me to repost the question to a new thread.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 10, 2020 5:19 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

donv_the_ghost

Level 9

50,989 points

Jul 10, 2020 5:46 AM in response to visualjah

This likely is your problem. See What to do when the Mac App Store shows a different Apple ID for software updates https://www.macworld.com/article/3267709/mac-app-store-apple-id.html. This document refers to a prior owner, but is also applies to cases where a current owner's old Apple ID is the problem.

Basically, If an app is purchased/downloaded using one Apple ID, then you can't update it with with another Apple ID. The app is inextricably linked to the first Apple ID. You'll have to delete it and repurchase/download it again with the second Apple ID unless you use family sharing (see below).

As an alternative to deletion, you can set up family sharing between the IDs to share purchases made with them. See:

Family Sharing https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201060

Set up Family Sharing https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,397 points

Jul 10, 2020 6:27 AM in response to visualjah

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

Try signing out of the App Store/iTunes, restarting, and then sign back in. See if you can download the apps now.

If necessary, contact iTunes Support. See the Apple Support articles below for contact information.

iTunes Support – world wide

Apple Support schedule phone call

If necessary, try Twitter

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport. People have posted it may take an hour or more to get a response.

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Answer 3

Jul 10, 2020 7:24 AM in response to visualjah

Maybe you should contact Apple support:

Get a call from Apple support to help solve your problem using this

link https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362

Apple ID Support https://support.apple.com/apple-id

Apple Support Twitter https://twitter.com/AppleSupport

Apple ID account security for country-specific andregion-specific help https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204169

Get Support: We’re here to help https://getsupport.apple.com/. Go through the options to find the best support option.

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Answer 4

visualjah Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 10, 2020 7:13 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

This doesn't answer the question I asked. I am using the same ID I purchased with. These apps are listed under MY identity, my Apple ID, or iCloud, or whatever they call it now... and that's what I'm logged into, and that's where I purchased them before, with the same ID. A long list of items I purchased with THIS ID shows up in the App Store... App Store says I purchased them with this ID, that's not my opinion... then when I click to re-download it, it stays it was purchased with another ID... It was just 1-2 weeks ago that I made these app purchases.

Apple started this mess when they forced every user to create emails with them on so many computers, then accounts. They know they screwed this up based on the tons of info and people I know who have had to PAY TWICE for stuff! We've been faithfully following, but Apple MUST create a transition plan for this to work!!!!! It has been years of this nonsense. Some kind of license hand off and new IDs that cover everything, or a way to associate old IDs, whatever! They are pushing the cost and pain onto the customer (and the blame, if you read their "help") - instead of fixing the problem they created.

What are Apple engineers doing? not improving this 5 year old issue...

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Answer 5

visualjah Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 10, 2020 7:22 AM in response to Eric Root

Nope, not helpful, did all that.

And thanks for running down the list of ways it's probably my fault, not the screwed up Apple ID. If something is made totally confusing, then you can't blame the user who is confused.

Contacting support is where every other thread like this leads, dating back years with no actual solutions!

Where is an actual solution to Apple ID confusion? Lot's of articles about how we are just hosed and might as well just pay again. NO - what's to stop me from having to pay again, and then again later, because me paying again doesn't actually fix the problem, just the symptoms... for now!

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Redownload Unavailable with This Apple ID

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