Unable to purchase.

Hi all,

I've bookmarked this thread since I experienced the same problem, so I could check back later for possible solutions. But since today the problem was suddenly solved. I don't know which of the following steps actually solved the problem, but this is what I did:

1) Start iTunes and go to your apps

2) Download all the updates to your Mac/Pc

3) Connect your iPhone to your Mac/Pc

4) Go to the 'apps' tab of your device, and select an app which you've just updated to synchronise with your iPhone (I don't know if this is necessary, but this is what I did). In my case it was an app that wasn't on my iPhone before synchronising.

5) Synchronise

Problem seems to be solved. I've downloaded one update and one app since I followed these steps and haven't seen the error so far.

Let me know if it works for you!

edit: iPhone 4S, Windows 7, iTunes 10.5.3.3

I'll try, but would that solve the problem long term? Also don't get your hopes up too much, because the errors we have been getting are not constant. We may be able to install five apps or updates just fine, and then the next day the message pops up.

I synced my iPhone with my iTunes and yes it did seem to fix the problem however it's been doing it to me again as of late. It's probably something that apple will have to fix with an update.

I have the same problem, but with ipad 2. Your solution to the problem does not help.

Same here. On my iPad 2 I had an app that the dev said needed to be deleted and re-installed because updating would cause the app to crash. I deleted the app and when I tried to re-download I got the "Unable to Download. Please try again later" message. I successfully downloaded and installed the app again, but at least once a day when I install app updates or download something new I get the "App x could not be downloaded. Please try again later" message. I've deleted and re-installed the app and I still get the message if the app is installed on the iPad or not.

Exactly the same problem as the OP here. iPad 2, updated iOS. One thing I noticed is that when my Restrictions are disabled, the error so far has never happened. On the other hand, when my Restrictions are on (except evidently for Installing Apps), every time the App Store requests my account password for a new purchase, for an update or for a redownload of a previously uninstalled app, the error appears.

So for me, at least for now while Apple does not fix this, this workaround seems to be working. If this works for others, it suggests that the problem could be related to a bug with the App Store and the Restriction system.

I don't have restrictions enabled...

****, sorry to hear that. This probably means that my workaround was just a happy coincidence... Will post if it stops working for me. Just tried another download and no error again...

Guys, this happens randomly. It doesn't happen every single time, so just because you downloaded an app 3 times in a row without problems doesn't mean it's fixed.

I have to admit, the error just popped up again. I'm trying my own solution now for the second time, I hope it will 'fix' this problem again.

I've got the same problem but with 15 apps! I went to the apple store and the guy there said he hadn't seen the problem, so no help. I've also had lots of crashing problems since ios5. Have others been having this too?

Same thing happening here - very annoying. I've signed in and out of the store - and it didn't happen for the next update - but sounds like it will happen again.

User ryanpetris just posted this to another thread. You may want to try it out and see if anyone still has the problem afterwards or if it's solved:

I has this happen to me last night to. Ultimately, this worked:

1. Open the App Store

2. Goto the Features page.

3. Scroll all the way down to the bottom and press on the button with your Apple ID.

4. Press logout.

5. Reboot yor device (!! VERY IMPORTANT. This didn't work until I did this part).

6. Once rebooted, sign back in to your account.

Update: Didn't work 😟

I have the same problem...it seems the problem started after I put in the credit card NO. to the free -Apple ID.

At first I was using ID for free downlaod app ( no input credit NO.) that period I just click on buy app ( paid app) to see what will happen..... ( sure it didn't let me download cause I didn't credit NO.)

at last...oneday I decided to buy a paid app....so I update the same old APPLE ID with my credit card NO.

After that I got error message... " the app xxxx unable to purchase this time..."

Well...it 's the name of paid app I click to test to downlaod (while no credit card) ...:( I didn't really want to buy it... but it still randomly pop up when I try download any new app.

More over.... I got another error... there's an free app I try to download ...and I stop process before it complete. SO when the error meesage pop up.... the error download icon is show up in my ihpone too! and I can't delete it ....it's the icon app..showing in " waiting " stage. I just have to open another app or download new app to make it disappear. but It can comeback again !

Finally I try new way...hope it works permanetly.

I open Itune on PC. conenct to iphone.

- go to iTune store > log in APPLE account > choose your account -name on top right. > click it and put in password again

- You will go to Account information page...look down and you will see tab " reset warning all buying and download item"

click it and sync iphone again...

I think the problem is gone now...but have to try again tomorrow if this will permanently work....

please try my way and tell me how is it....