Ipad2 app store can't download apps - get error 'item is being modified, try again later', but daughter IS able to download it just fine!

Picked up a few apps that are on sale or free today, including one that I was having problems with yesterday, without any issue. Maybe the Apple techs finally ironed out the problem? Of course that might just be me, but whatever happened hopefully it has run its course and we can go back to throwing our money at Apple and the developers.

Okay, kind of nice to know I'm not the only one here. After repetedly trying to purchase an app over a number of days and then missing the sale price, I was mildly annoyed. After happening again now with an app I want to purchase for my kids while it's on sale, I decided to contact Apple support. Here's the relevant part of their response:

'I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. From time to time, the iTunes Store updates the items in the catalog to ensure the highest possible quality for our customers. It's possible that "Sonic CD" is being updated and is therefore temporarily unavailable. Please try again in 72 hours. If you still are unable to purchase it, please let me know.'

And my reply, just sent:

'Thank you for the reply, but are you serious? Try again in 72 hours?? How could 'updating items in the catalog' possibly take up to 72 hours? The last app that did this was like that for days, and this one is looking like being the same. The discounted price will very likely be over by that time, just like the last one. Surely that can't be right. Developers would be furious at the loss of income if the app was unavailable to everyone for that length of time. There's a definite problem here and a reply like this just makes it look like Apple isn't prepared to admit it.'

It's happening again today. Why can't someone tells why we get this error message?

Its still happening so I guess Apple doesn't care or doesn't know.

I have tried to download three free apps and all I get is the same error messag...item is being modified. Try again later

This really upsets me because 1. The sale is one day and 2. They are for my 7 year old.

Also, as I mentioned in my earlier post, when I was prompted to login for my first attempted purchase of G.U.N, I got the "Unable to purchase" message: "ccMixter and 11 other items could not be purchased at this time. Please try again later." Is anyone else having a similar experience?

Yes, I've been experiencing both problems lately. The purchasing of certain items (on the Canadian store in my case) often doesn't work due to "item is being modified" errors. When this happens, it happens regardless of how I try to download the item -- iTunes, iPhone, or iPad -- all using the same iTunes account.

Meanwhile, on both an iPad and an iPhone, often when downloading or updating apps I will receive that error message (usually just after the password prompt) of the "could not be purchased at this time" sort. It doesn't seem to have any effect on (or relationship with!) the current store download, but it's truly annoying. The exact message is slightly different between the iPhone and iPad -- the named app is different, and the iPhone doesn't mention "and xx other items" whereas the iPad does.

I've looked into that problem (separately from this "is being modified" one) and not come up with any answers. It's as if there's a hidden, internal cart within either the iTunes account the App Store app, and that's somehow become all confused, but there's no way for a user to access or reset it.

Westacular wrote:

When this happens, it happens regardless of how I try to download the item -- iTunes, iPhone, or iPad -- all using the same iTunes account.

Right… Same with me. We just use the one Apple ID and it affects every device. Other people with multiple accounts note that it doesn't affect every account, so it seems to be a problem with certain users' accounts. I'm pretty confident Apple would be aware and working on the problem, but whether they publicly admit it or not—that's another question entirely. Until they do, I suggest everyone treat it as though Apple isn't aware of the problem, and submit your support requests here:

Express Lane for iTunes Player and iTunes Store

Good morning everyone ,

Just wanted to throw my two cents in. I've been trying to buy Zynga's Scramble with Friends since last night and I've been getting the same "it's being modified" message. I've tried similar strategies:different devices (IPad, IPhone4, MacBook Pro), resetting them, signing out and signing back in, etc., etc., and no luck. I've sent the obligatory e-mails and I'll let you all know what I hear back. Scramble is from a bigger gaming house and is also at a reduced price right now.

Grrr.

Like many others I too have been getting this error when downloading apps that have either recently gone free or at a reduced rate (such as Farm Frenzy 3). Those apps that are still at their full price don't seem to be affected. I'm using the CDN itunes store on both my ipod and computer with the same results.

I signed up for a new account using a completely different email address, credit card, name, etc and then tried pruchasing with the newbie. Still got the modified message with the new account. Tried downloading the 'lite' versions of games that I was getting the error on and those 'lite' versions all downloaded fine. Asked my sister and some friends to try downloading the same games that had gone free/reduced and they too recevieved the same error so it is definitely a server side issue on Apple's part. Contacted some developers of some of the games I tried downloading and beyond changing the price of their apps none of them had done any updates to warrant the modifying error. One hadn't done an update since over a year ago beyond the price change and was shocked to learn that their app is now lost in modifying limbo so they've contacted Apple (but I'm guessing they'll get the run around like everyone else has).

Contacted Apple and got the same BS many have been posting here about reinstalling itunes, rebooting the ipod, blah blah blah without any acknowledgement of the real issue. So either when Apple's servers go through a major reboot will things clear up or when enough people are PlSSED off to open a support ticket and Apple deems those numbers sufficient enough to actually care will things get better (aka we're screwed till then).

Back to my Android to download some of those games that are perfectly fine on the Market but not from Apple. Happy happy joy joy.

I've had this problem for 24 hr now. I'm trying to buy iPad app, How to Cook Everything. Can't buy from iPad or iTunes on my Mac. Vendor replied to me they are trying hard to get response from Apple and pointed me to this thread. We wait.

Bobby - I'm having the problem w/ the exact same app. Tried purchasing both the original and vegetarian apps late last night, got "being modified" on both. A couple hours ago, I *was* able to purchase the vegetarian version - but still getting errors for the original.

I've been getting the error on maybe 50% of the on-sale apps I've tried to purchase since roughly the beginning of Feb. I've been wanting these ones for a while, though, so am particularly frustrated. :(

Was just considering contacting the developer when I saw your reply. Did they happen to give any indication how long the apps would be on sale for?

Interesting… Now I can't open any apps on my iPhone, except for the ones that came standard with the phone. In other words, any app that I downloaded from the App Store will not open. The loading screen flashes up briefly, and then I'm back to the icon screen. Also some, but oddly not all, of the music purchased from the iTunes store isn't working, including one I purchased just a couple of days ago.

The problem is only happening on my iPhone, not our other devices, so it may not have anything to do with the other issue. There is a difference between my iPhone and the others though, and that is the other devices' apps are synced with a Mac, whereas I download them directly from the App Store on my iPhone. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that here in case anyone else is experiencing the same problem.

Same problem.. Apple is unhelpful as usual. Here is the conversation i had with apple They admit there is an issue but offer no fix or help whatsoever. Since my original letter I've come across several dozen of apps that won't download.

Hello D,

I have tried to download the apps that you have mentioned on your original, and I also received the same error message. "Purchace of this item is currently unavailable. This item is being modified. Please try again later".

Unfortunately, the Apple reserves the right to change prices for products offered at the iTunes Store at any time, and does not provide price protection or refunds in the event of a price drop or promotional offering.

You'll find answers to your questions about pricing and many other topics in the iTunes Store Terms of Sale:

http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/us/terms.html

Lastly, the Apple recognizes that no one is better qualified to provide feedback about iTunes than the people who use it.

I encourage you to use the iTunes Feedback page to submit your comments:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

Please don't feel brushed off because I sent you a link to feedback. Apple acknowledges that no one is better able to provide well-informed opinions and suggestions than the people who use the service, and this is the fastest way for your voice to be heard.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter, D.

Sincerely,

Megann

iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support

My working hours for this week are as follows:

Sunday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm ET

Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you.

OK, it is odd that so many app devs are currently and have been modifying their apps, and have been for over 12 hours. One concern is that these apps are free now and will cost again in a day so waiting really isn't a good option. Did you try to download any of the apps i mentioned? Are you getting an error also? Can I get a "rain check" for these apps while they're free so I can still download them once the system is fixed?

> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 15:46:06 -0800

> From: iTunesStoreSupport@apple.com

> To:

> Subject: RE: Purchases, Billing & Redemption; Follow-up: 190646509

>

> Hello D,

>

> I understand that it is not an error on your end, as you are able to download different apps.

>

> That said, I have reviewed the error message that you are getting; and please try purchasing the apps in few days. It seems like the developer of the apps are currently updating their apps on our database.

>

> Thanks again for your continued patience, D.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Megann

> iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support

>

> My working hours for this week are as follows:

>

> Sunday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm ET

> Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET

>

> Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you.

>

>

> Actually I can't download it on my iPad or my iPod either. Not a software issue on my end, some apps download find.

> And I already gave you the PC error.

> On my PC "Purchase of this item is currently unavailable. This item is being modified. Please try again later."

> On my iPad/iPod "This item is currently being modified. Please try again later."

> > Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 14:55:24 -0800

> > From: iTunesStoreSupport@apple.com

> > To:

> > Subject: Re: Purchases, Billing & Redemption; Follow-up: 190646509

> >

> > Hello D,

> >

> > I understand that you are unable to provide me with the order number of the apps, as you are unable to download them. You also mentioned that your iTunes is not connecting at all.

> >

> > After doing some research, I recommend that you attempt to resolve this issue by uninstalling iTunes and then reinstall the latest version. To do this, first ensure that you are logged in to an Administrator user account on your computer, then follow the instructions in the appropriate article:

> >

> > Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7

> > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923

> >

> > Note: Titles you purchased from the iTunes Store or imported from CDs are saved in your iTunes folder by default and are not deleted by uninstalling iTunes. Backing up your iTunes library regularly is recommended.

> >

> > After successfully uninstalling iTunes, please ensure you have upgraded to the latest Service Pack for Windows by installing all updates available to you on Microsoft Windows Update:

> >

> > http://update.microsoft.com

> >

> > Once you have the latest Service Pack for Windows installed, download and install iTunes for Windows:

> >

> > http://www.apple.com/itunes/download

> >

> > If the issue persists, please let me know along with exact error message that you are experiencing.

> >

> > Thanks again for your time. Looking forward to your reply, D.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Megann

> > iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support

> >

> > My working hours for this week are as follows:

> >

> > Sunday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm ET

> > Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET

> >

> > Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you.

> >

> > Well since it won't let me download them them it's not creating an order number. Hence my problem. I can't give you an order number because iTunes doesn't download it in the first place.

> >

> > On Feb 5, 2012, at 12:29 PM, "iTunes Store" <iTunesStoreSupport@apple.com> wrote:

> >

> > > Hello D,

> > >

> > > My name is Megann and thank you for contacting iTunes/Mac App Store Support Team. I understand that you are getting this error "Purchace of this item is currently unavailable. This item is being modified. Please try again later", when purchasing several apps. I see how anxious you are to get this fixed.

> > >

> > > I would like to help you with this, but I could not locate the purchase based on the information you provided. Please respond and include your purchase's order number in your reply.

> > >

> > > You can find your order numbers on your email receipts and in your Purchase History. If you need to review your Purchase History, follow the steps in this article:

> > >

> > > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2727

> > >

> > > Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply, D.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > >

> > > Megann

> > > iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support

> > >

> > > My working hours for this week are as follows:

> > >

> > > Sunday: 10:30 am to 9:00 pm ET

> > > Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET

> > >

> > > Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you.

> > >

> > > Product : iTunes Store

> > > Support Subject : Purchases, Billing & Redemption

> > > Sub Issue : Unable to purchase from iTunes Store

> > > See additional info below

> > > What device did you use to connect to the store? Windows computer (PC)

> > > Which operating system is installed? Windows Vista

> > > What version of iTunes is installed on your computer? iTunes 10.5

> > > Choose the iTunes Store or App Store for your country: United States

> > > Item title: Emperor - Kaiser

> > > Order number:

> > > Details:

> > > I've been getting an error.

> > > "Purchase of this item is currently unavailable. This item is being modified. Please try again later."

> > > Apps I'm having difficulty with are.

> > > Emperor - Kaiser

> > > Ninja Desktop

> > > The Interviewer

> > > 15 Minute Yoga Workout Plan

> > > 2012 Facts and Myths

> > > There are others but these where the ones I recorded. These apps have been unavailable for 4 hours and counting. They have all recently, and temporarily, gone free and I'm concerned I may not get them before they go back up again. I've encountered this occasionally but never this many at once and or for this long.

> > >

> > >

theSnark, The vendor support gave me this tip below which worked. Meanwhile, they are hoping Apple will get on this quick.

The trick is to "gift" a copy of the app to yourself. You will need to be able to send the gift code to a secondary email that is not the one used on your regular iTunes account. You can then redeem the gift code without getting the error from the direct purchase—the code is independent of the email address it is sent to, so you can then use that code for a download from your regular iTunes account. This also has the advantage of locking in the price at the sale price and not hoping Apple gets a fix in time.

Gifting will work for discounted apps, but gifting is not an option when app price is free.

This workaround worked perfectly. Odd that an app being "modified" works when gifted. Something's not right.