App Store offers update, but says it's already installed

Question

Level 4

1,418 points

App Store offers update, but says it's already installed

The App Store is offering me an update to Window Tidy, and the version number is in fact newer than the version on my Mac, but while the App Store icon in the dock shows the update available badge, the store lists the update as installed, so I can't download the update. This is the problem with cloud computing. It works great when it works, but when it breaks, I can't fix it myself. Grrr...

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion, 8 x 2.8 GHz 10 GB RAM, Radeon 4870

Posted on Nov 11, 2012 7:38 AM

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Answer 1

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 11, 2012 9:09 AM in response to Gary P

Uninstall / delete / remove the app. Then reinstall it. Use App Zapper if necessary. As you have paid for it there will be no charge for the reinstall.

The new version should be up to date and the badge will clear.

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Answer 2

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 11, 2012 10:11 AM in response to seventy one

Thanks, I'll try this today.

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Answer 3

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 11, 2012 10:20 AM in response to Gary P

Let us know how you get on. Have to say, this comes up far too often in different guises. 😉

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Answer 4

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 11, 2012 1:46 PM in response to seventy one

I deleted the app & logged out & back in. The situation is unchanged, and now I can't get the app back from the App Store, because the store says it is installed. This is crazy.

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Answer 5

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 11, 2012 2:59 PM in response to Gary P

Hello again Gary,

All I can say is that it the App has not been fully deleted. There is a copy lurking somewhere. Do you have a back up somewhere?

Check out Spotlight or EasyFind (Download EasyFind for Mac - File, folder, and text contents search tool. MacUpdate.com) Get it here, free. The last one I did was iBoostup. Easy Find found one copy and several pieces of info, all of which gave me the same situation as you have.

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Answer 6

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 11, 2012 4:15 PM in response to seventy one

Well, it is in Time Machine, of course, but that has its own drive. Then there is another drive with a copy of my old system on it, that also has the app. Do I need to delete every instance of it on the Mac?

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Answer 7

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 12, 2012 2:47 PM in response to Gary P

Hi Gary,

At last!

I cannot remember specifically about Time Machine now. But other elements do need to be removed. I seem to recall about six different things, though I can't recall exactly what they were. I think it was whatever showed up in Spotlight.

I just hope the extraordinary long maintenance shut down today was in part, to do with resolving this problem.

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Answer 8

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 12, 2012 4:15 PM in response to seventy one

Interesting. Now, the App Store shows the "Update" button, but it does nothing. *sigh*

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Answer 9

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 12, 2012 4:26 PM in response to Gary P

Yes, but is there still a number on the badge? (BTW, There is a note on my screen suggesting you tried to send an image).

If there's no number in the badge that is because the app has gone. So now, I am hoping it will be in your purchases list marked 'Install and you will be able to reinstall it.

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Answer 10

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 12, 2012 4:30 PM in response to seventy one

I don't know why the forum software thinks I tried to send an image. The number is still on the badge, and the Purchases page in the App Store shows the "Install" button, but clicking it does nothing.

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Answer 11

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 12, 2012 4:40 PM in response to Gary P

Reply to Gary P Use advanced editor

Please add the image directly by clicking Insert Image (camera icon). We cannot accept linked or embedded images.

Well, I've not tried to send you an image and the message (above) sits immediately above the reply box.

Otherwise I am as lost as you. My badge has always cleared with the process I outlined.

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Answer 12

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 12, 2012 4:51 PM in response to seventy one

I think this is Apple's problem. I'm going to wait a while & see if they fix the Store.

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Answer 13

Geez Jan

Level 1

49 points

Nov 12, 2012 5:29 PM in response to Gary P

I have the exact same issue with the exact same app. Window Tidy 1.2 installed, 1.3 available for update, shows already installed, no update button, no way to clear it or the badge. I logged out of the App Store and back in and no change. Also, I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro, both on OS X 10.8.2, one has this issue and one doesn't.

Isn't there a .plist file somewhere we can delete to make the App Store start over fresh?

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Answer 14

Gary P Author

Level 4

1,418 points

Nov 12, 2012 9:33 PM in response to Geez Jan

The problem seems to have resolved itself. My Window Tidy version now reads 1.3. I can't explain any of this. Also, the badge is still on the App Store icon in the dock. Maybe Tim Cook needs to fire a few more people?

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Answer 15

seventy one

Level 7

27,424 points

Nov 12, 2012 11:48 PM in response to Gary P

You've clearly made some progress with the reinstall then. It's not unknown for the badge to go away without warning; perhaps after a restart. It's taken a while so do let us know how things end up.

Incidentally, I've now remembered where my extra app copy was located. I'd made an alias of the original app as I usually do with those apps that are not updates of iMac apps. That's what the App store found when it stopped me from reinstalling.

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