Unable to purchase.

Try what I posted earlier, since removing to named app from

the device and iTunes, then restoring the device from backup

and re-downloading the app I have had no errors at all and it's

been over 2 days now without the error showing up.

I suppose I did something similar to what was mentioned above, though at the time I don't think I realized what I was doing. Probably just dumb luck. But yeah, I also did a sync/backup/restore. I didn't delete the offending app per se, though you could argue that in doing the backup restore it was deleted from my iPad. After the restore was complete, I loaded up all of my apps including the offending named app via a wifi sync with my laptop.

Since then (which has probably been about two or three days), I haven't had the popup pop up again. Though admittedly, my app downloading has been rather light as I don't feel like tempting fate. And whenever possible, I download the apps first to my laptop and then wifi sync to my iPad rather than just going to the app store from here. It *****, but it helps maintain my sanity.

I remain convinced that, given the opportunity, the popup message will return in time. The whole thing is just so random, and it really feels like everything we're trying in here is akin to tossing darts in the dark. Here's hoping anyway. Not holding my breath.

I sure hope there's some sort of update to address this problem in the not too distant future. No telling how many people out there have just chosen to live with the nuisance like a virtual version of a noisy, pot smoking neighbor.

I have also been having this issue. One thing I recall that I didn't see mentioned here so far was I did an app update in iTunes on or around February 2nd on my Macbook and on the My App Updates page (where the icons are shown and you can either update them all or one at a time) the information for each app was corrupted. It usually has the next to the icon the App name in Bold, followed by the developer name, the version, and the file size. I remember this one instance where I updated a bunch of apps (I recall Angry BIrds, TBS, OmniFocus, Priorities, Wordy as some of the apps) that most of this information in these fields were blank, and maybe where the name of the app was suppossed to be the developer's name was there in bold instead. I wish I had the presence of mind to take a screenshot of this because I want to say ever since then I get the annoying pop-up and it mentions one of the apps (TBS) from that day. Since everyone seems to have been having this issue in the same timeframe, does anyone recall seeing this as well? Maybe this can help narrow down the time and the apps affected? But maybe its wishful thinking as well.

I'm having the same "unable to purchase..." error. No remedy has worked.

I am pretty sure you have the right idea. I think this issue has to do with credit card information on the account. In my case, this problem started when my credit card expired. I believe the store still allowed me to install free apps. But as soon as I tried to install a paid app, the message started with app "x" and "7 others".

The others I believe are the free apps that I installed with an expired card.

I updated card info through the phone, but every time I go back to the card info the security code is blank. Maybe this is normal.

I will try to update card info on the Mac instead and follow your suggestions. I'll let you know.

I wonder how many others with this problem maybe don't realize they too have card issues related to their accounts?

I had a similar experience. When I re-entered credit card information, it appeared to repopulate but the security code field was blank again afterward. I re-entered the information with the same result. I thought this might be a secutiy measure.

Correction. The 7 others may have been installed AFTER the failed paid app due to expired card. Because now it says "8 others".

Also, I have the same issue with one of the apps installed during this time. I uninstalled it, thinking it may be part of the problem (Apple store), and its icon will appear when I install another app. The icon appears as installing, but with no progress. As soon as I touch it, it disappears.

The "unable" message only seems to pop up when the password is entered for an install. Consecutive installations of apps will not ask again for the password. These following installations do not cause the "unable" message. After a while though, the password is required again. And thus the message again.

I just had my first update all in a long time that didn't put up this message. I had done a bunch of steps the other day so I don't know which if any of these fixed it. I did all of this on my iPad 2 which was having the problem:

1. Went into setting -> store and clicked my Apple ID and updated my payment info (just confirmed my credit card CDV).

2. Logged out of my iTunes account from settings -> store

3. Turned off iPad.

4. Turned on iPad.

5. Went into settings -> store and signed in.

6. Turned on automatic app downloads and okayed the confirmation message.

7. Turned off automated app downloads - I don't like them on.

That was it. Today when I updated, instead of getting that error message before the password prompt showed up, I never got the error. I guess I'll see how long it lasts.

I completely removed my Credit Card a long while ago and decided to just use Gift Cards exclusively. I didn't like the idea of getting dinked for lord knows how many apps and/or "in app" purchases on my CC anymore. I'm pretty sure I had a long stint of error free downloading (say a month or so) before I started getting the error message.

I'm not saying the credit card thing isn't the problem, just sayin' I'm not so sure that's the whole deal. Possibly a contributing factor. And if the solution ultimately turns out to be reapplying my credit card to iTunes, well forget it.

This error could actually turn out to save me money in the long run. No more app purchases! 😉

This is the third day since I followed PlatnumK's procedure above I I have NOT gotten the error (and I've purchased apps). I think everyone getting the error should try that procedure.

What IS acting different is the following: Now I do not see a badge on the APP STORE showing me how many apps need to be updated. In fact, when I go into the APP STORE and click on UPDATES, at first nothing is there. I'll wait a few seconds and then either see "ALL APPS ARE UP TO DATE" OR the apps that need updating. Then I'll UPDATE ALL, and soon see ALL APPS ARE UP TO DATE. I'll go out of the APP STORE, then, when I go back in and click on UPDATES, for a few seconds I'll see the SAME apps I just updated, then they will disappear and I'll see ALL APPS ARE UP TO DATE.

The only thing I did NOT do in PlatnumK's procedure was to reinstall the problem app.

How do you re-install a single app from the cloud?

From the iPad goto the app store then tap on purchased to get a list of all the apps that you have downloaded, on the I phone goto the app store then tap on updates, at the top you will see the link to purchased, tap on that, you can then download any app that you have purchased (free and paid apps) for free.

I am getting the same thing. I wish someone had a solution to this one.

Any idea as to how to fix the APP STORE problem I posted that I got after I did the

procedure? BTW, still no errors.

But now the APP STORE doesn't show a badge with the number of updates until I click on updates. When I do that, the apps that need updating appear THEN the badge appears.

Hello, I also had the same "Unable to Purchase" error (for an App already installed) every time I wanted to update other apps.

I went into the iTunes Store account (through iTunes Mac app), and there's an option saying "Reset all warnings for buying and downloading". I tried it, and I believe it has worked!

I hope this helps you too 🙂

Hi. I just tried it. I'll see if overtime it works.