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Level 1

108 points

iPhoto '11 on multiple Macs

Hi, downloaded iPhoto '11 from the new Mac App Store but would also like to install it on our other three macs at home. I called the 5th Ave store in NY and they said it is only a single licence so I have to buy it again. Other places like Macworld say one copy can be used on all the home macs. I suspect Macworld is right. If so, my question is,... Is there an easy way to install or update these apps without having to download them again? Like currently I download updates once and then update all our macs. Fast. Cheap. ANy ideas now with the latest stuff from the App Store?

MacBook Pro, Core 2 Duo 2.53 MHz, Mac OS X (10.6.6), 4.0GB RAM

Posted on Jan 10, 2011 9:05 AM

28 replies

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Jan 10, 2011 1:17 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

Can I use app from the Mac App Store on more than one computer?
Apps from the Mac App Store may be used on any Macs that you own or control for *your personal use*.

Seems clear to me - for your (singular) personal (not community or family or anything else) use - you can use it on any computer - no one can legally

LN

Message was edited by: LarryHN

Jan 10, 2011 1:21 PM in response to LarryHN

It is the computers that are "for personal use" not the software.

i.e. "any Macs that you own or control for your personal use".

Jan 10, 2011 1:24 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

And what about all the other items I posted?
Including the Apple Terms of Use:

You may download and use an application from the Mac App Store (“Mac App Store Product”) for personal, noncommercial use on any Apple-branded products running Mac OS X that you own or control (“Mac Product”).

I'm not entering into the discussion any more, it has been made very clear that there are not limits to the use of Apps bought from the App Store. No where does it state anywhere in the Terms of Use that you can use one copy at a time.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,631 points

Jan 10, 2011 1:42 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

It certainly looks like Apple has changed their policy for applications from the App store. Good to know.

Crazy Author

Level 1

108 points

Jan 10, 2011 8:19 PM in response to Old Toad

Well thanks for entering into the debate. It's now perfectly, 100% clear that other members of my family might be able to, probably but perhaps not, use the apps we buy on all of our computers.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,631 points

Jan 11, 2011 10:44 AM in response to Crazy

FWIW this morning I came across this online article by Ted Landau, Understanding Mac App Store App Restrictions.

This is an excerpt form the article:

+*Receipt-checking: non-MAS vs. MAS versions of apps*+

+Assuming you have a choice, there are reasons to prefer the non-MAS version of an app as compared to its MAS twin. The main one is that you can freely copy non-MAS apps to any other computer with no restrictions — especially so for freeware. For the most part, they will immediately and successfully launch, just as they do on the originating computer.+

+With MAS apps, you will likely run into various copy-protection problems — even with freeware. Most notably, after copying an MAS app to a different computer via the Finder, it likely won’t launch. It will typically either trigger a message asking for your Apple ID/password or simply refuse to launch with no alert given.Receipt-checking: non-MAS vs. MAS versions of apps+

+Assuming you have a choice, there are reasons to prefer the non-MAS version of an app as compared to its MAS twin. The main one is that you can freely copy non-MAS apps to any other computer with no restrictions — especially so for freeware. For the most part, they will immediately and successfully launch, just as they do on the originating computer.+

+With MAS apps, you will likely run into various copy-protection problems — even with freeware. Most notably, after copying an MAS app to a different computer via the Finder, it likely won’t launch. It will typically either trigger a message asking for your Apple ID/password or simply refuse to launch with no alert given.+

It doesn't change what we think the new rules are just clarifies them a bit.

Feb 6, 2011 5:03 PM in response to Yer_Man

Hi TD,
wondering if you can help me with a specific issue I had with the iphoto '11 app. I went to mac app from my app icon on my desktop. Clicked on iphoto'11 and it says it's already installed. INSTALLED is the option next to the app. I don't have it on my laptop. And I can't seem to re-install. So I'm stuck with the old version of iphoto and can't figure out a way to install the iphoto 2011. Any thoughts?

Thanks
Kristen

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,380 points

Feb 7, 2011 1:04 AM in response to Kristen2125

Plenty of threads on this issue on the forum right now. Try rename iPhoto.app in the Applications folder. Change it to something like iPhotoold or somesuch. Then try again.

As always, before updating anything, *back up first*

Regards

TD

Feb 15, 2011 5:53 AM in response to Yer_Man

iPhoto is 716mb and I have a wee-tiny internet connection (yes, I suffer from bandwidth-envy). Once I have it downloaded on one Mac, does anyone know if I can copy / install it on my other household Mac(s) without re-downloading that big honkin' beast again? Can I just copy the app from Mac 1 to Mac 2?

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,380 points

Feb 15, 2011 8:23 AM in response to bediddleby

Not with iPhoto 11 to the best of my knowledge. But you could try it...

Regards

TD

Feb 15, 2011 9:06 AM in response to Yer_Man

It appears to have worked. I renamed the old iPhoto.app and copied the new one (1gb installed) via a flash drive. It ran fine on the new computer.

jcxroads

Level 1

0 points

May 21, 2012 3:10 PM in response to Yer_Man

I have iPhoto installed on my home mac, but I want to install it on my recently formated mobile mac & it's not showing up on my "purchased" area. Where the "buy" (price) normally sits, it says "accept", but when I do it tells me to go to my "purchased" area.

Now what? Any ideas?

Miky60

Level 1

0 points

Dec 12, 2012 6:38 AM in response to Crazy

What about those who ordered a Mac online from the Apple Store and paid extra to have iLife preinstalled before delivery? After I recently transferred all files to a new Mac, iPhoto and iMovie didn't work, although a red badge over the App Store icon in the dock indicated I had updates available. And in the App Store, after logging in to my account, nothing about iPhoto or iMovie shows under "purchases".

iPhoto '11 on multiple Macs