Methods to repair a macOS App Retailer ‘Can’t Replace App’ error
For those who see an error like “GarageBand can’t be up to date as a result of it was refunded or bought with a unique Apple ID,” it might shock you. Isn’t GarageBand free? Isn’t your Apple ID the one in use in your Mac?
Apple cryptographically encodes into each app downloaded the Apple ID of the purchaser. That’s true with “free” apps (actually free or free with in-app purchases) and paid ones alike, together with Apple’s personal software program, akin to Pages and GarageBand.
You’ll be able to wind up with the above error in just a few instances: you bought a Mac with software program already put in and attempt to replace it, otherwise you modified the Apple ID used for purchases in your Mac. Different extra obscure situations could apply, however they’re not documented. (For those who didn’t buy an app that’s put in on a Mac you obtain or got, there’s no solution to obtain updates with out the unique Apple ID login.)
The answer is sort of straightforward:
- Discover the functions in your Functions folder.
- Drag it to the Trash, or choose it and press Command-Delete.
- Enter an administrator password when prompted.
- Empty the Trash.
- Go to the App Retailer and try to obtain the app once more. This time it ought to work.
Within the occasion that you just nonetheless have an error, now additionally strive:
- Within the App Retailer, select Retailer > Signal Out after which Retailer > Signal In.
- Restart your Mac by way of > Restart.
This Mac 911 article is in response to a query submitted by Macworld reader Blain.
Ask Mac 911
We’ve compiled a listing of the questions we get requested most ceaselessly, together with solutions and hyperlinks to columns: learn our tremendous FAQ to see in case your query is roofed. If not, we’re at all times searching for new issues to resolve! Electronic mail yours to [email protected], together with display screen captures as applicable and whether or not you need your full identify used. Not each query might be answered, we don’t reply to electronic mail, and we can not present direct troubleshooting recommendation.
