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Unable to update bundled iMove/iPhoto/GarageBand?

I purchased a new Air yesterday. Right out the box the App Store shows 3 updates available, one each for the bundled iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand.


When I go to update them via the App Store I get a dialog that "You must have previously purchased the item being updated. Tap buy to purchase it now".


Of course if I try to do this it won't let me, I get another error "Purchase of this item is not currently available. The item is being modified. Please try again later".


The updates don't show in regular Software Update, and if I download the standalone updaters from Apple's support site the installer says they can't be installed and to use the App Store.


I seem to be going around in circles. Has anyone any suggestions please?

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 24, 2011 2:27 AM

Reply
157 replies

Dec 20, 2011 6:54 AM in response to 1961templar

Fortunately, I've been dealing with a really helpful lady at Apple Customer Services in Cork. She put me in touch with her colleague and he gave me the redemption codes for iphoto, imovie and garageband which allowed me to download the apps again and overwrite the bundled software. However, I'm still left with the Accept button for the original install software. I'm told that Apple are working on a solution to this and it's something to do with the way the serial number of your machine, be it iMac or MacBook, is linked to your Apple ID and the App Store. I hope she's correct, because I really don't want to have to live with this defunct Accept button, because it's basically an error with the machine. I'm told that Apple hope to have a solution by February and Paula at Apple Customer Services has promised to stay in touch until it's sorted satisfactorily.

Dec 27, 2011 8:14 AM in response to Paul Hutchings

Unfortunately, I'm having the same issue. I've tried everything and none of the suggestions work for me and my MBP. App Store support seems unaware of the issue and unwilling to escalate me to Tier 2. They simply told me to call Applecare. I called Applecare & they escalated me, but Applecare can't do anything but try to get in touch with the App Store support. They told me they will call me back in 4 days!!!!! Can you believe this? I told them I was offended and annoyed. People purchase Apple products at a significant premium because it is supposed to be the best customer support experience in the world. If I take this experience in isolation I've had better interactions with Acer, Dell or a generic PC maker. Apple management should be embarrased to read this thread. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get this resolved faster (obtaining redemption codes). Please let me know.

Jan 3, 2012 11:41 AM in response to euclidw

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/press-here/Apple-CEO-Tim-Cook-Loves-to-Answer-Yo ur-Email-128823808.html


New Apple chief executive Tim Cook usually responds to email from the public within three days, and a few are saying he's trying hard to be accessible much like Steve Jobs -- but will that continue once the congratulations have died down?


Cook's responses aren't long or drawn out, but are short acknowledgments of the content and sentiments, according to iDownloadBlog. (While Jobs' email address is still active and he is on the company's board of directors, it's unknown if he will be as responsive to his correspondence, MacRumors reported.) Cook is obviously following in Jobs' footsteps, but how much can someone emulate Jobs without being Jobs? That seems to be the most relevant question.


While MacRumors suggests that Cook may be in a honeymoon period, it may be judging Cook too harshly -- perhaps Cook is taking his role as the face of the company seriously and each response is a boon to public relations.


To see if you get a response, write to Cook at <edited by host>


Jan 22, 2012 7:17 AM in response to bottleboot

I got another reply saying that iPhoto was installed by the Apple Store and that I can't update it through the Mac App store.


How I can update, they obviously don't tell me.

Why there is an update available for iPhoto in the Mac App Store, when you can't update through the Mac App store because the software was installed by Apple Store, neither.


😠😠😠

Jan 25, 2012 11:29 AM in response to ebasan

Aside from the problems with the video, that is what is supposed to happen with a new Mac, but most of the folks here did not do that because they were not told that they needed to do that. So they have been using the Mac, sometimes for months, until an update for one of those three apps becomes available. For some reason, with so many weeks or months having passed makes this process not work.


As far as the video, I would cut out the horribly boring first 4 to 5 minutes of waiting for the Mac to startup and of you following the on screen instructions for the initial setup. Also, make a much shorter Apple ID password for the sake of the video so you can enter it without making so many mistakes. Finally, adjust your camera so that folks can see the top of the Mac App Store page, most all of the most important reason to have the video was off camera.

Jan 25, 2012 1:47 PM in response to Paul Hutchings

So they finally sent me through the next level and support.
They looked into my problem and I got redeem codes to fix it.


It took a while but all works fine now. 🙂


In the end I am mainly glad that I could resolve this issue via email. I don't agree with the fact you can only receive a certain level of help via telephone.


A company like Apple should offer the same degree of support on all channels.

Mar 7, 2012 4:11 PM in response to Sirolway

I found a simple way to do this for the record.


I really appreciate rapid response though!


you may find this interesting:


Click the store tab in the menu bar of the mac appstore, > view my account then re type password


This goes to an account overview page with a hidden purchases section.


Clicking hidden purchases will take you to all of your hidden purchases (even pre installed ones apparently)


Clicking unhide restores them to the normal purchased list!

Unable to update bundled iMove/iPhoto/GarageBand?

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