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To update this application, sign in to the account you used to purchase it.

Some of my apps have available updates but this is the response I get when I try to update: "To update this application, sign in to the account you used to purchase it." I am bewildered since I only have one account that I am already signed into. How do I get the apps to update? What account is the app store talking about?

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 24, 2011 11:45 AM

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Posted on Mar 24, 2011 12:11 PM

Trash the apps, resart the App Store, and the update button should read install.

App Store still has bugs...

Thanks ... Ken
92 replies

Nov 15, 2012 1:01 PM in response to xmit

Does anyone think re-indexing my entire HD will work for me? I bought my Macbook pro in September, its a 13 inch mid 2012 version. It came with iphoto, imovie, and garrage band pre-installed. There are updates for these apps but i get this same message when I try to update, but i too only have one apple id, and no one else has been on my macbook. There was no option to accept these apps like i see in other threads, and they dont show up under purchases. Also this mac was bought new. before I try this reindex thing, what exactly is that, and how will that effect my computer, Will it change how my folders are organized or anything? Thanks for any help. Ive called apple support and emailed expresslane....no help at all really, they just keep running me through the same hoops. I like iphoto and would love to update it.

Nov 19, 2012 2:58 PM in response to jlfree1015

I talked to Apple support today about this; there are two versions of iPhoto, one that ships with the OS, and another you can buy from the App Store. The difference is that you can only update the OS shipped version though Software Update (despite it taking you to the App Store still, very confusing).


This finally resolved it for me:

  1. Trash iPhoto, iMovie and Garage Band
  2. Reinstall them from your origninal OSX application CD (the CD must be grey, no idea why).
  3. Use Software Update to update it.

Jan 6, 2013 1:00 PM in response to xmit

My problem was fixed with following:

Exclude your entire hard drive from the spotlight preferences (in the system preferences under "Spotlight") then reopen the pref pane and remove the exclusion. It will reindex your HD in Spotlight. But you probably won't even have to wait for the indexing to finish. My was fixed as soon as the re-index started.

Jan 18, 2013 8:56 PM in response to rastajellyfish

Thanks rastajellyfish!


Spotlight trick, as well as trashing and restoring, were not working for me. Software Update, meanwhile, is just not part of this OS anymore.


Who would have thought the same account credentials would suddenly work when they're used in this ad-hoc way. Sign out of all accounts, then hit "Update." Respond to the prompt with the same old user account and password, and now it's fine.

Apr 13, 2013 11:25 PM in response to rastajellyfish

Thanks rastajellyfish.

Nothing else worked.

Your fix worked for me -- for iPhoto.


To clarify, I went:

  • Apple menu > Software update... (opens App Store window again)
  • Menu bar > Store > Sign out
  • Apple menu > Software update... (opens App Store window again)
  • App store window > iPhoto Update
  • Dialogue box opens asking you to sign in with Apple ID and password; do so
  • The update begins!


For iMovie, I get a dialogue box telling me "You can not update this software since you have not owned the major version of this software."


I never knew that! Off to solve that one now.

To update this application, sign in to the account you used to purchase it.

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