? You've already purchased this but it hasn't ben downloaded.

Question

Level 1

24 points

? You've already purchased this but it hasn't ben downloaded.

I have an iPad and iPhone and before the upgrading of iTunes never had a problem updating my apps but now I keep getting alerts that I have three updates on both my iPhone and iPad, and of course these apps are on both devices and require a WiFi connection or the option of updating directly from iTunes. I go into iTunes and check for updates and it says all of my devices are updated.

Right now I have three apps that wanted updating according to iTunes Updates on the iPad and iTunes: Color Splash, SketchMee and Monopoly. Each time I try to update one or all three I get this notice: "You've already purchased this but it hasn't ben downloaded. If you're having trouble downloading it, select Check for Available Downloads from iTunes on our computer, then sync with your device."

This is CRAZY! If they weren't already purchased they wouldn't be on the iPad in the first place. I go into iTunes and check the apps under the iPad and the apps are listed.

Apple MUST fix this problem - it is a new problem that has erupted since iTunes was updated. Sometimes I get as many as 12 apps needing updates, and 9 of those apps will have updates over 20 megs so I'm told to connect to WiFi or update from iTunes on my computer. WiFi updates never happen. It just sits there doing nothing. Go to the computer and check for updates and iTunes says I have no updates for my account.

I have ONE Apple iTune account.

I tried removing the apps in question, entirely, since they had already been purchased I figured I could re-download/re-install and be up to date. No way Jose! I get charged all over again for the app! Ridiculous! I'm not paying twice for an app just to get a silly update!

Is there a solution other then yelling at Apple to fix it????

Mac Pro 3.2Ghz, MacBook Pro 2.53Ghz w/8G Ram, Mac OS X (10.6.5), iPhone 4G, iPad 64G 3GS

Posted on Dec 19, 2010 10:44 PM

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Answer 1

moparguy

Level 1

5 points

Dec 21, 2010 4:51 AM in response to Lisa Garland

did you go to the store tab (grey buttons) at the top of the page and click store, then hit available down loads? if what you have purchased may be there, just click download and it should work....

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Answer 2

Lisa Garland Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 23, 2010 2:35 PM in response to moparguy

Well, I'm sorry but you're going to have to be a bit more specific. When you say 'store tab' at the top of the page do you mean in iTunes or at the Apple website itself? Either way, I see nothing about "available downloads". There's no button, no mention, nada.

Perhaps I'm just not seeing it. Could you provide more direct information? Exactly where would I find the 'available downloads' button?

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Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Dec 23, 2010 2:42 PM in response to Lisa Garland

" If you're having trouble downloading it, select Check for Available Downloads from iTunes on our computer, then sync with your device.""

Did you do this? In itunes go to "Store", by "File", "Edit" "View" ,etc. then click Check for Available Downloads.

" If they weren't already purchased they wouldn't be on the iPad in the first place. I go into iTunes and check the apps under the iPad and the apps are listed. "

Are they in itunes? Under "Library">"Apps"

If not, then transfer them from the ipad/iphone - File>Transfer Purchases

" I figured I could re-download/re-install and be up to date. No way Jose! I get charged all over again for the app! "

Not true. It is indeed free to redownload apps ( unlike music and vids):

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

" Ridiculous! I'm not paying twice for an app just to get a silly update!

Is there a solution other then yelling at Apple to fix it????"

Clam down. I think you misunderstand.

Look in itunes for your apps. If they are there, then update them: Click "Apps" under "Library", then "Check for Updates" at the bottom, then once they are updated sync your devices.

If they are not there, then transfer them from your devices.

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Answer 4

Jan 28, 2011 2:37 AM in response to roaminggnome

Romainggnome: I am having EXACTLY the same problem - my iPhone says I have 7 updates. When I try to update them, I get a message that says "You have already purchased this but it hasn't been downloaded. If you're having trouble downloading it, select Check for Available Downloads from iTunes on your computer, then sync with your device."

iTunes also says I have 7 downloads, and when I try to 'update all' - it says 'You have no available downloads.'

If I go to the store menu and check directly (as you suggested), it also says I have no updates available.

There is clearly a glitch somewhere - any ideas how to 'reset' the downloads available?

Thanks,
Clem Tracy

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Answer 5

Apr 14, 2011 10:20 AM in response to clemtracy

I have exactly the same problem, and so does a friend of mine. It doesn't seem to prevent me from updating the apps, I just have to dismiss the message over and over again.

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Answer 6

Apr 20, 2011 7:11 AM in response to mikemanchester

I have exactly the same problem on my iPod Touch 4th gen. It doesn't seem to prevent me from updating the apps, I just have to dismiss the message over and over again. iOS 4.3.1

Why has an Apple rep not addressed this here with the correct answer?

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Answer 7

Papas

Level 1

5 points

Apr 26, 2011 6:09 AM in response to Lisa Garland

I get the same message. I think its a problem of the apps being in folders. In my particular case after dismissing the message it updates but won't install in the same folder. I have to turn off my iphone and turn it back on and the new app appears out of the folder. You guys have to be patient. Apple will fix this problem, they usually do fix glitches its just some are more annoying than others...

iPhone Work-around:

If you don't care that much about folders and more about updating then: Reset the Home Screen from Settings> General> Reset> Reset Home Screen Layout. This will pop all your apps out of the folders and updating is a snap after that.

If you care about your Folders: Then don't up date until you have time to reorganize them.

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Answer 8

May 21, 2011 2:40 PM in response to Papas

Resetting home screen on iPad did NOTt fix problem. But did lose my folders...

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Answer 9

BGMac

Level 1

0 points

May 26, 2011 4:07 PM in response to Lisa Garland

I also have the same problem. On my Ipad 1, Ipad 2, and my IPhone 4. The apps will update in the correct folders, but even if you select "update all", it will provide the "you have already purchased message" and when you OK it, it will update ONE app. You then return to the App Store updates, and sure enough, it still reflects updates to install, just one less than before. So the net result is that if you have 8 updates, then you go through this drill 8 times. Back "in the day" before the recent updates to I-Tunes, the update all would update everything that needed updating without any more input from the user. This is an obvious bug that is affecting everyone, so I expect Apple will address it in an update.

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Answer 10

May 28, 2011 6:54 PM in response to Lisa Garland

Greetings, I had the identical issue and it was driving me mad. Here's what worked for me, maybe it will help.

For some reason iTunes "lost the path" to my "iTunes Media" folder. To fix it I did the following:

1. Make sure iTunes is open.

2. In the top menue select "iTunes" and "Preferences"

3. In the preference pane select "Advanced"

4. Under "iTunes Media folder location" select "Reset"

5. Now locate the "iTunes Media" folder where all your stuff is. NOTE, if you don't know the location click on the desktop and search for "iTunes Media" I'm not sure if it could have another name but if you can' locate it just type the name of one of the bands you have and it should lead you to the location of the folder.

Once I "reconnected" to this folder all my problems went away.

Good luck

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Answer 11

Jun 6, 2011 12:18 PM in response to Lisa Garland

I'm having the same problem. It's making me mad. Never had a problem before. Now I have two updates over 20 whateveritis and have to go to itunes - I've done all that, I've checked for updates and it says everything's updated. I've tried the check for updates at the bottom of the screen where it says there's 1, 2 or 3 (changes every time although there's only 2) and it updated one of them then refused to acknowledge any more. I've sync my phone repeatedly and now I'm losing the will to live.

Blackberry Torch for me next time - unless APPLE SORT THEMSELVES OUT. This problem is new, it's always been so easy to use, update, whatever, but now it's rubbish, as you can tell I'm getting really angry!!

I'm now left with two apps on my phone in a permanent state of 'loading' and I can't even delete them. Even if I could, how would I know that any other update was more than 20 whatevers and I'd have the same problem again.

I don't need this crap. APPLE - YOU'VE GOT THE POWER - HELP!!!!!

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Answer 12

Jun 8, 2011 2:00 PM in response to Lisa Garland

Lisa, I have a similar problem with an app MotionX GPS Drive. It gave me 30-days of free Live Voice Guidance and the product did a fabulous job replacing my TomTom and for 99-cents was a great deal!! After 30-days you are asked to pay monthly ($2.99) or a year of Live Voice Guidance (tells you when to turn, etc.) for $19.99.

I quickly subscribed to the year service and now I cannot engage the service as it tell me "You've already purchased this but it hasn't been downloaded." <heavy sigh>

Calls to Apple Tech produce nothing and the Tech people at MotionX calmly explain it isn't their problem. They billed me and now Apple has to do it's thing. So I'm out $20.98 and even if refunded, I'm out a very sweet navigational system!!

I wish someone from Apple would give us all some guidance on how to rectify this malfunction!

Pete

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Answer 13

lepling

Level 1

0 points

Jun 8, 2011 4:18 PM in response to Lisa Garland

Same issue on my Iphone 4 since May and its really starting to fustrate me when I can't get updates that I want/need.

So not cool Apple.

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Answer 14

Jun 8, 2011 7:49 PM in response to lepling

I wonder why no one at Apple is addressing this? I just got off the phone w/Tier 2 support for well over an hour and nothing we could do rectified MY issue. They are convinced it is the App Developer's issue. The App is saying it is Apple's baby and simply points your Browser to this thread. :-\

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Answer 15

lbh8

Level 1

4 points

Jun 12, 2011 7:10 AM in response to Lisa Garland

This seems to have started with me some time after I refactored / rebuilt my iTunes music library. Could that be a clue? Did anyone else relocate / rebuild / refactor their iTuned library?

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