Unable to update bundled iMove/iPhoto/GarageBand?

ebasan thanks!

I don't know how that worked, but it did. Like everyone else my MBA was already linked to my account, but the dots for the password didn't seem to match my Apple ID. I reset the password in Users and tried the appstore (without even logging out of it) and the three programs updated! Finally!

Got the same problem with a Macbook Air 13 inch bought last week. I contacted support 2 times and both times was directed to senior advisors. It took 5 days for iTunes support to respond to the email I was asked to send email to. Several days of communication and attempts later they finally gave me 3 redemption codes. That was 8 days after I first contacted Apple. Since somebody posted a solution I tried it first, a few times actually, but it did not work for me. I ended up using the redemption codes, updates downloaded and they are showing up under the purchase tab as purchased. I am still concerned about this issue though. When I went to the Genius bar last week the technician could not even reinstall Lion from an external drive after 2 attempts. He told me that the problem was a file on the computer and that I should return it. They would not exchange it at the Apple store since I bought it from an Authorized dealer. That chain (Futureshop, owned by Best Buy here in Canada) is out of stock since almost day one they received them, hence the reason why I continued to find a solution. I think I will try to do a fresh install of Lion to see if there is any issue. If there is one I think it is better to return the MBA and wait until they have new ones in stock, otherwise I will keep it. Not sure what will happen with iLife, not even sure if I can backup the apps, or just reinstall them using the App store since they are considered purchased now.

Any thought about what is the best way to reinstall Lion (HD recovery mode or internet one in order to get maybe a non "corrupted" version of Lion)?

ps: I have not been very impressed by Apple's responsiveness or willingness to really help, I had to push to get a solution and felt like both senior advisors dropped the ball, just like the Genius bar technician. Finally, Apple stores had/have in stock Macbook Airs and they refused to replace a defective Apple product (as told by the Apple technician) because bought at another (authorized) store. Not a good experience.

Amazing! This worked for me as well. I have to say after hearing such good things about Apple I am quite disappointed in their support. Its been weeks since I contacted support, had multiple calls where they weren't able to resolve the issue. Finally they were supposed to send me redemption codes over a week ago which I never received. I switched over from a thinkpad because Lenovo's support was terrible but Apple's doesn't seem much better to me at this point. I'm glad I didn't spend the $300 on applecare if this is the best they can do.

This is my first MBA 13" I7, I have been a PC user since they were invented (yes I am old). I have followed all tips in this thread and no luck for me. I have read a lot on this issue and the only consistent thread I have seen that works is when Apple Support issue redemption codes for the 3 affected products. I have had 4 different Apple support people suggest everything from an OS re-install, to try again next week !!! This is very poor form for the IT company that has the highest value in the stock market. I have put up with this for nearly 2 months now, I feel like writing an open letter to Stev Jobs !!!

This problem just became more urgent with the updates to iPhoto for integration with iOS 5. However, the "solution" linked in the previous post doesn't work for me. I get the following error messages when following those instructions:

"These apps cannot be accepted on this computer. Future updates of these apps can be found through Software Update."

"We could not complete your request. There was an error in the App Store. Please try again later. (18)"

However, the version 9.2 update of iPhoto does not appear in Software Update.

Dear Neville,

Thanks for your reply. In this thread we are discussing a bug in which the sensible points you make in your post appear to break down. The iLife Apps on my machine (a current-generation MBA) were pre-installed. But on one hand they seem to be treated as though they were purchased through the App store -- for instance, updates are not available through Software Update, and trying to install the iPhoto update after downloading if from the software update website gives an error:

"The version of iPhoto installed on this Mac must be updated through the Mac App Store. Check the Mac App Store to see if an update is available."

And on the other hand, since the Apps were not actually purchased through my Apple account, it is not possible to update them through the App Store either.

A few tricks have been posted in this thread but they do not appear to work universally -- at least none of them work for me. And, whereas the App Store customer support apparently used to hand out redemption codes so that people with this problem could delete and re-install the Apps, they seem to be refusing to do this now. At least that was the result of a long back-and-forth I had with customer support today, where they specifically refused to give out a redemption code and stated the following:

"Apple is currently working toward a resolution for the issue you have reported. You will receive an email after the matter has been investigated and further information is available."

This is totally unacceptable -- the above statement could mean days, weeks, or months, and in the meantime the new iPhoto/iOS 5 features are unavailable to me. I have no real confidence that I'm going to get an email at some future unspecified time. And redemption codes to fix the problem and end the frustration would cost Apple nothing.

This is a huge waste of time and I am ******.

Paleshadow,

Just to be clarify:

1. Have you been having this problem on a new MacBook Air that was preinstalled with Lion?

2. Have you gone through steps 1-4 in Paul Hutchins post above from August 10 ?

3. And then have you deleted the .plist file from the proper folder in your Library and then restart your computer, as described in Saul 's post from the link I posted on Sept 17th?

4. And then try to update the iLife apps from the App Store after logging in to the App Store?

DPerl:

(1) Yes

(2) Multiple times each, in a variety of permutations and combinations. (E.g.: Sign my Apple ID out of the App Store, remove my Apple ID from my account Users & Groups, remove the plist file, restart; then follow steps 1-4 in the Aug 10 post, ensure the plist file is still absent, restart; then attempt to update per Saul.)

Now, it's worth saying that I tried the Aug 10 solution (without success) back in August when I purchased the computer, and then dropped the issue, returning to it only yesterday after updating the OS to 10.7.2. In particular it's possible that the 10.7.2 update has somehow killed Saul's solution, as unfortunately I never tried it under 10.7.1.

Well, I got this solved by having contacting Apple Support since the .plist fix or other fixes were not working for me. After being shuffled through departments, I got a Tier 2 support person on the iTunes Store team. After proving the purchase date of my Mac mini, he just ended up providing me with codes to add the iLife apps to my account, at which point, I could (finally!) update my apps.

I had a call from Apple support yesterday and I suggested they provide me with codes for the iLife apps to resolve the issue, as I had heard that others had received these as a fix. I was told "we don't do that" and told to reset my password and try various other solutions, including my girlfriend logging into her iTunes account on my computer, despite the fact that she has never used my MacBook! After wasting another 45 minutes on the phone I was told that I would be contacted by the iTunes Store (Mac App Store) via email. Here is the email message:

When iLife applications such as iPhoto, GarageBand etc come pre-installed you need to accept the item in the App Store before re-downloading or updating the App.

Here are the steps to accepting the install of the program:

1.) Double-click the App Store icon in the dock.

2.) Enter your Apple ID and password.

3.) Click Purchases.

If you haven't previously accepted your bundled iLife applications within the Mac App Store, you should see your iLife applications appear in the Accept portion of the screen. Click Accept.

You may be asked for your Apple ID and password once again. Your iLife applications now move to the Purchased section. These applications are part of the software that came with your Lion based computer. Your account will not be charged for them. Click Install to compete installation of your applications.

Apple technical support and iTunes/Mac App Store Customer Support seem to pass this issue back and forth and neither seem willing or able to resolve the issue.

I think that if there are folks here who are still experiencing an unresolved issue with this that you should call Apple Care immediately and when the first line Apple Care service agent answers the phone, request that your call be immediately excalated to Customer Relations. Be polite, but firm, and state that the call needs to be forwarded immediately to Apple Customer Relations. The ACR agents are the highest authorized agents in Apple and can do just about anything within reason to resolve a customer's issues. If you have been dealing with this for an extended period of time, do not be shy about asking them to not only resolve the issue with redemtion codes, but ask what they can do to compensate you for the lost time and inconvenience. A nice discount for your next Apple purchase may be included. (I got my iPad 2 for US$100 off the Apple price with such a discount.)

My partner and I purchased two 27inch iMacs on the 24th November. I have exactly the same problem. I can't accept the bundle software for iphoto, imovie and garageband, not can I update iphoto via the App Store. Despite numerous phone calls to Apple Support, and emails to iTunes Support no-one has yet been able to provide a solultion on an iMac which is less than 2 weeks old. Oddly, my partner was able to up date his accept his bundled software and update iPhoto with no problem whatsoever. The Apple technicians have talked me through all the 'solutions' mentioned above and we've also tried having my partner log in as a guest with his Apple ID and have created a 'test' administrator with an Apple ID to see if that would work. I've totally frustrated and disgusted by the whole affair given the amount of money we've spent in buying these two machines.

Same problem here. Deleted .plist file, deleted iPhoto, reïnstalled Lion, nothing helps.

When I go to the app store I see three iLife apps under purchases. But when I click 'accept' I get a message that my new MacBook Pro can't accept the apps. 😟

Talked to support yesterday for almost an hour. No solution yet.

It seems that the appstore doesn't recognize the relation between my Apple ID and my MacBook Pro properly.

I'm not happy with the new way Apple's distributing apps. iLife is not part of the (hidden) install disk. During the install the apps are downloaded from the store. I wish they would include a dvd with all the software with each new Mac.

In the end I have no iPhoto at all.

There are two ways to fix your problem with iLife updates. The first solution is to take your iMac to the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store, although I wouldn't like to to haul a 27" iMac around! I had the same problem with my MacBook Air, which is easily portable. It takes about 2½ hours to reinstall Lion but they fixed mine at Meadowhall. If you follow this route future updates for iLife will be through software update rather than the app store.

The second solution is to ask Apple to send you the codes to download the iLife apps from iTunes. This is not as simple as it sounds because they will tell you that they don't do this, but if you ask them loudly enough they will do so eventually! If you try this route and have no success then you may wish to contact me and I will try and help you?