Update App Store apps that were installed on the same machine, but from a different account(Apple ID)

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Level 1

4 points

Update App Store apps that were installed on the same machine, but from a different account(Apple ID)

The Mac is being used by both me and my wife. We each have our own separate accounts, each with its own Apple ID. Both accounts are Administrators.

The issue is that in the App Store, I cannot update apps that were downloaded/installed from the other user account/Apple ID. A message pops up with the email of the other user id and asks for the password of that Apple ID.

This happens in both paid apps as well as in free apps and is pretty frustrating because I cannot update my apps, unless I input the other user's credentials, it seems counter intuitive, I just want to update my 1password for Safari for example, why cannot I do that?

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 17, 2024 1:47 AM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,126 points

Nov 17, 2024 11:05 AM in response to johnnypatras

Purchases in an Apple Account are not transferrable and cannot be linked an any way to another Apple Account except through Family Sharing.

Other users can use the apps, but they cannot update them without the original purchasing account authorization.

And, I'm not even sure other Family members can update the app. I would think so since they can purchase apps through the main family member account.

While you are not technically purchasing a free app, you are licensing it under your Apple Account.

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,493 points

Nov 17, 2024 12:59 PM in response to johnnypatras

I think @Barney-15 has answered your question very correctly

Should that not be to ones' liking ?

Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are PAID Apple Employees.

They may provide links to the relevant Term and Conditions of Apple ID and Apple Apps Store agreements.

Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,493 points

Nov 17, 2024 2:55 AM in response to johnnypatras

Purchases from the Apple Apps Store.

Are Tied Directly to the Apple Account ( formerly User ID Account ) from which they were Purchased From

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Answer 4

johnnypatras Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2024 10:53 AM in response to Owl-53

OK, but what if I want to also have that app that my wife has downloaded and use it for myself ? If it is a free app I at least want to be able to update the app, not sign in with my wife's credentials (from within my own account) every time I want to update apps, that were, randomly, first downloaded from my wife's account the first time.

Either I am missing something fundamentally simple, or something is not handled properly when the OS is handled as a multi user environment.

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Answer 5

johnnypatras Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2024 10:55 AM in response to Barney-15E

Is this really the only solution? Adding the other user as a part of your family? It seems OK as a solution, but pretty weird as well. I would like to have independent control of the apps per user account per machine.

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,126 points

Nov 17, 2024 4:25 AM in response to johnnypatras

It won’t resolve the current issue, but Family Sharing is designed for that.

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