(SOLVED) This item is temporarily unavailable - OS X Network Install

Because there are so many confusing posts about this subject I thought I'd clear the air. You do not need to download anything from another computer, backup, create a boot USB or anything else suggested to reinstall your OS X.

First let's start with how you got to this point.

In order....You

-Restarted Mac holding down (command + R)

-Clicked on Reinstall OS X (insert your version here)

-Signed in with your apple I.D.

-Get Error: This item is temporarily unavailable


1st Question: Why did I get this error?

Answer: The apple ID you used has never installed or downloaded an OS. ( Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, etc.)

This Is probably due to the fact that you used an Apple I.D. that was made because someone bought an iPad, or iPhone, or iPod and never actually owned a Mac. Or if you did own a Mac then you didn't use this I.D. to install and update that Mac. Got it? Ok!


2nd Question: What do I do?

Answer: Type in an I.D that has been used to update or install an OS. That means call your friends, your mom, your distant cousin, etc. to get an I.D. that will work. Don't worry once you sign into it your friend who lent you the ID can change their password. No harm no foul.


3rd Question: Is this legal, what if I didn't buy the OS X?

Answer: Are you kidding me. Apple hasn't charged for an OS since Mountain Lion. Really, that's besides the point. The mac that you are on came with the operating system you are trying to restore. You are not doing anything wrong.


I hope this helped and feel free to not leave any comments so that the answer doesn't get convoluted.

OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), Network install

Posted on Jan 18, 2017 9:02 PM

Reply
7 replies

Jan 9, 2018 12:32 PM in response to Raymiarc

It’s absolutely absurd I’m to call my mom, friends mom, distant cousins, distant friends etc. and ask them for their personal ID and passwords for a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place. I’m sure Apple wouldn’t officially tell you to share your Apple ID passwords and login information with others in order to solve a dumb issue they are responsible for causing.

Mar 4, 2018 6:54 AM in response to Raymiarc

I just uninstalled everything because this is my old Macbook Air. I don't want to sign in with my Apple ID becuase I'm trying to reinstall the system for someone else's use that has never had a Mac... Why can't I sign in with an Apple ID that has never had a Mac? It seems to me that everyone is a first-time Mac owner at some point, so this just doesn't make sense to me? If there is a different way I should be reinstalling for this reason (as if I'm selling it, for instance, and don't want my ID tied to it in any way), what is it?

Mar 26, 2018 2:53 PM in response to Raymiarc

I have used my apple ID to download OS X, and I am getting the same response. I am instructed to sign in to the app store, and get the same 'temporarily unavailable' message. Perhaps it is permanently unavailable from the app store no matter what I do?


I can download it from apple support to a different computer, but have no way of getting it to the laptop, on which I had to erase the HD because it was too corrupted to simply repair. The HD is OK, but needs an OS (Mountain Lion, for starts).

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(SOLVED) This item is temporarily unavailable - OS X Network Install

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