Transfer purchases to another ID

guys, i wanna ask about transfering purchases to another ID.

my sister has an apple ID. now, she doesn't use any apple product anymore, but she has purchased many apps, now, i'm using her ipad, and i want to move her purchases to my account, due to, she dont want to tell me her ID password, any help?

or can i change the ownership of the apps?

iPad 2, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Mar 6, 2012 5:48 PM

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531 replies

Oct 14, 2012 7:28 PM in response to lobsterghost1

If that had been the message conveyed by your initial response in this thread, it might hold water. But it wasn't, so you're coming off as an ornery old cuss who refuses to admit error. You introduced legalese when you suggested OP's intent was to commit theft. IBGB simply attempted to clarify the current state of the law. I think the better response is to thank him for his input, but I'm weird like that.

Oct 17, 2012 11:06 AM in response to Lan_Holmes

So, here is the reality for Apple as a corporation.


Regardless of how they structrue their EULA, they have a large (and generally loyal) customer base who is, over time, investing a very signficant amount of money in the software licenses they acquire, or for that matter the music and movies they purchase.


When we all began this journey, I don't think even Apple could have anticipated how signficant those investments would be, and the consequences for their customers of a EULA that doesn't allow the transfer of those assets from one client to another. There are plenty of families where kids grow up to have a life of their own, or where couples split up and the individuals involved wish to continue to have access to some of the assets they previously shared.


In many other aspects of life, there are both legal provisions and reasonable processes to facilitate the transfer of licenses, mortgages, loans, etc.


Given the longevity of the iTunes store concept so far (and I don't see any foreseeable end in sight), families particularly are going to spend signficant amounts of money in this paradigm. Enough that it becomes a significant burden to financially replicate it, especially when the original licensor actually has no further need for the license to be transferred.


It is ENTIRELY within Apple's power to understand that, and create a mechanism where a licensor could chose to transfer their license to another person. Apple completely owns, end-to-end, the platform right out to the operating systems on their devices. This is not difficult to understand or to do. It is a matter of corporate choice, and balancing their relationship with their customers against an ability to generate more revenue. BIG HINT here: this last point is how Apple's customers are interpreting this choice, and it is souring the love affair rapidly.


Let's not forget, Apple made it easy for this problem to proliferate. A click-through EULA did not inform or otherwise constrain the behavior of regular and reasonable people.


If Apple does not grasp this reality, and quickly, they will risk really angering a very large user base.


I am going through a separation and divorce. Over time we have invested well over $5,000 in iTunes purchases. That's enough to care about. We don't want to share a password as we now expect and need our own separate identities and privacy.


In reality this is not a problem to be solved by the persons who post on this forum, whether they be level nothing, or level 7 contributors. I would, however, have hoped that the high level contributors would have been able to recognize a completely legitimate and growning phenomenon amongst the user base. I am sorry rbrylawski, but I am one of those average persons you so very quickly (3rd post on this topic?) characterized as a thief. I came to this forum looking for help. I am very offended. You have been most un-helpful.


So perhaps the next logical question is: What are the mechanisms available to a consumer to escalate this as a legitimate customer need to the Apple decisions makers? If not this forum, then where?


I (and many other really nice and moral people) will appreciate that answer.

Oct 17, 2012 12:13 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Initially the discussion revolved around an intended use. Given that the OP was told that the use fell outside of Apple's TOS, Pilatus's inquiry was the next logical step in the discussion.


Look, you've already made it apparent that you think both I and this discussion are 'clueless'--though you've omitted to explain the rational basis for that conclusion, more likely than not because it doesn't exist--so why not either (1) stop responding in this thread, and let us drown in our apparently infuriating ignorance, which will surely happen if no one more helpful than yourself comes along (my preference); or (2) have it locked, which I'd suspect you'd prefer since you look like kind of a petulant jerk in it?

Oct 19, 2012 7:38 PM in response to Michael Saperstein

I apologise in advance if my reply offends, but please do not come and ask a question that has been asked and answered about 100 times before...


Everyone thinks that their scenario is different, or that for some reason they are special and should be able to do something that no one else can. Unfortunately it is not, they are not and no you can't.


The short answer was and still is: You cannot "transfer" or "move" (or whatever term you want to use) a paid purchase from one ID to a other at this time.


If you do not believe then please feel free to read through the previous 19 pages of questions, replies and disgraceful comments.


If Apple changes their policy it will not be done quietly - it will be reported everywhere.


Thank you to everyone who participated in this thread... now it is time close it.

Oct 19, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Pilatus57

I meant no offense to you and I am sorry you are going through the disolve of your marriage. Having been here a long time, many many many people come here hoping to be able to transfer a buddies app to their device, so in a lot of cases people are asking how to steal. I see that is not what you are asking, but for you the answer doesn't change as Apple has created an eco-system where apps can not be shared between different IDs. I didn't create this system, but I do understand why it was created and that is to preserve the selling rights of app developers who would be very upset if their products were given away to people as a convenience. Again, not that that's your intent, but it doesn't change how the system works.

Oct 22, 2012 10:42 PM in response to Lan_Holmes

Yeah, Apple is not the inventor for this EULA stuff. Richard Stallman of GNU had comdemned this kind of 'unfair' plot for long long time. I still remember, in one lecture by Richard, he said, if I bought a book, after you read it, you can give it to your children, your friend, or donate it to an orphan house, or sell it to a 2nd hand book store. However, in today's world, you never buy a software, but you just get a license to use. And the license is so restrictive (no transfer, no resell, no residue value).


It's not fair, but we (customer of software) have no alternative. And more and more stuffs (comodities) are 'licensed' like software. So, the book shelf, or CD shelf you see is fake, you never 'own' that book or CD. IMO, it's the evil in the IT industry.


My 2 cents.


Stephen WONG.

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Transfer purchases to another ID

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