You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

updating apps

I am unable to update apps ... the message is that it was purchased with a different Apple ID.

That is a possibility as I have changed my Apple ID in the last 18 months.


Please help



Posted on Jun 4, 2020 12:06 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 4, 2020 1:20 PM

Did you see my post above. Check out the part about What to do after you change your Apple ID or password https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204071. Following this guide might take care of your problem.

7 replies

Jun 4, 2020 12:13 PM in response to 0821_123

If you changed to a new ID (didn't do a name change on your old ID), those purchases are tied to the other ID and can't be transferred. One option is to delete the apps/purchases made by the other ID and download them using the new ID if desired. If necessary, check your purchases history to see which apps/purchases weren’t made by the current ID. 


Purchase History Review.   


Or you can try to set up Family Sharing  between the IDs to keep access to your purchases.


Family Sharing.         


Family Sharing - Set up.        



Jun 4, 2020 1:05 PM in response to 0821_123

You won't be able to do that. And, if you don't know the ID, note that it might be the Apple ID of a prior owner. See What to do when the Mac App Store shows a different Apple ID for software updates https://www.macworld.com/article/3267709/mac-app-store-apple-id.html This document refers to a prior owner, but is also applies to cases where a current owner's old Apple ID is a problem.


The document says (hypothetically): "Macworld reader Arthur is trying to download updates via the Mac App Store, but is stymied, because an Apple ID associated with the previous owner of the machine appears prefilled in the Sign In dialog and can’t be changed. He wonders what to do. Apps purchased or downloaded with another Apple ID will persist in prompting you for that account’s password when they need to be updated. Apple associates app purchases with the account that made the purchase. This includes “free” apps, because such apps can have in-app purchases, which would also be associated. If you bought, inherited, were given, or found on the street a Mac that was previously owned and not wiped clean, you can wind up with apps installed that are registered to a previous user."


Is it possible the problem Apple ID is that of a prior owner?


But, if you changed your Apple ID in the past, it also could be your prior Apple ID. That is the case Eric Root was talking about. Maybe the problem has arisen because when you changed your Apple ID you didn't follow this guide: What to do after you change your Apple ID or password https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204071

 


Jun 4, 2020 1:08 PM in response to 0821_123

When changing to the new ID, there may be some data loss, but you can minimize it. If syncing photos with iCloud, ensure Optimization is turned off in Settings/Your Name/iCloud/Photos and/or in Photos/Preferences/iCloud. Then make sure full resolution photos are on the device/computer. When signing out of iCloud, if asked whether you want to retain data, choose yes. Messages conversations will be lost if they are addressed to the ID. See the article below for other places that the old ID should be removed. See Winston Churchill's response in the below discussion. Also set up Family Sharing to keep access to your apps/purchases. 


 How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad.      


How to transfer all files from one iCloud account to another.       


What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.      


Family Sharing.         


Family Sharing - Set up.        

Jun 4, 2020 12:42 PM in response to Eric Root

this has not solved my problem.... I am trying to update my FB Messenger... and What's App...

all free...

and yes it may be a different Apple ID than my computer... but I don't know what it is... and don't know how to change the Apple ID on my phone to match my computer...

I think that may solve the problem.


thanks for your help

updating apps

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.