This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error

After my macbook pro had become really slow the past days, I decided to reset the system, following the usual steps:

1. Press alt+power button

2. Choose Utilities --> erase Macintosh HD (or in my case, it was called macbook pro)

3. Reinstall the Mountain Lion OS X through internet.


However, after trying to install the OS X, and entering an apple id (my brother's, since his id worked - probably because he used his id when installing the OS X on this computer the first time), an error message pops up, saying:


"This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later"


I don't know what to do, since I have tried redoing these steps on multiple occasions this day, and with two different networks. Unfortunately, I don't have the original installation dvd:s, so I have to install the OS through internet (or if it is possible, by downloading the OS to an external hard drive, and then installing through that).


Anyways, my macbook pro is bought in the mid 2010's, maybe that information can help? I don't know what the last OS X update I used was...

[Re-Titled by Host]

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 18, 2014 3:20 PM

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Posted on Feb 17, 2018 9:36 AM

Thanks, THIS ONE REALLY WORKS. Glad I found it before bothering to faff around making bootable USB. Virtual Hugs & Kisses to you.


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Re: this item is temporarily unavailable

User uploaded file

Pcguyvancouver

SOLVED!!!!!!!!

without any help from useless support at apple....btw



The reason you get this message is YOUR apple id is not associated to an apple o/s.


DO Not use someone elses apple id. Youll get all their apps.


In the 4 choices you get click "GET HELP ONLINE"


This opens Safari.


Click icloud and sign in with your apple id.


Now you can go back to installing screen and the downloading will finally work because you have now shown applie id youve logged in from your computer.



What a **** show and i can't believe how easy it was to fix

207 replies

Jan 3, 2017 9:37 AM in response to andreas61

I have had this problem on several Macs. First to dispel a myth seen in this thread. You can always download an OS, even if it is not current, as long as you have previously downloaded it from the App Store. I have repeatedly solved the "not available" problem simply by logging in as a different user that has definitely downloaded that version of the MacOS before.


Good luck.

Feb 13, 2017 4:46 PM in response to andreas61

The message "This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later" pops up most probably because you are not signed in to the apple store on your mac (on iTunes not on the Safari). To solve it, open the iTunes, click on the "Purchased" button on the top menu and sign in using your apple ID and password. The message should not come up again.

May 18, 2017 5:50 AM in response to andreas61

Guys its very Easy and i have solved this issue.


Please when you see this message while re-installing OS X old or latest

"This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later”.

Just use the first apple ID you used in this device when activate it as a first time and to download and purchase on app store.


🙂 100% will solve the Issue because the Item mean (apple ID) and unavailable mean its not the original apple ID used on this device for downloading and purchase.

May 19, 2017 12:52 AM in response to Kem0o0o

Okay thanks.


The issue is that my first email was: sk****@hotmail.com which was the one I used first time on my macbook pro in 2011.
I have changed the mail and password since then, and now I can't remember the password I used for my old apple id for sk*****@hotmail.com - and when I enter the latest Apple ID mail and password it tells me: "this item is temporarily unavailable".


I tried to guess the old password so many times, that it wants me to "reset my account" / it also says: "Your account has been turned off"

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This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error

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