Some iOS Users Reporting Apple ID Error Messages When Updating Apps

A number of mostly international iOS users on MacRumors forums, Apple's support forums, and Twitter are reporting issues with failed app updates today. According to affected users, the process of updating apps in the iOS App Store produces a warning that "the update is not available for this Apple ID either because it was bought by a different user or the item was refunded or cancelled."

app-updates-fail
Reader Vinamra on MacRumors forums:

"I go 4 app updates today and as soon as I clicked the update button, the App Store app popped up with the following message:

"Update Unavailable with this Apple ID - This update is not available for this Apple ID either because it was bought by a different user or the item was refunded or cancelled."

I have always used a single Apple ID and this phone (5S) was bought new and have never had this problem in the past."

Member Albertus8898 on Apple Support Forums:

i didnt change or log out from my apple id at my iphone 5. But when i wanted to update one of my apps it said "update is not available for this apple id either becuase of using different id or...." then i checked my apple id's apps and most of my apps gone. what should i do to make them back to my apple id account? and i tried to delete those apps and redownload them but it gave the same message.

One user contacted an Apple Support representative, who confirmed there was a server issue on Apple's side that was affecting app updates. Apple is working on the problem, but the company has not provided a timeline for the fix.

At this time, this issue that you're experiencing with updating apps is being investigated. There are no possible fixes at this current time, as [it's] an issue with our servers, but we are working on it and should have it functioning properly later today.

While such an error message may appear when users are managing multiple accounts or changing countries, the number of complaints surfacing today and reports from several users indicating that they are only using one account with no changes in country suggest that there is indeed a broader issue with Apple's systems today.

Popular Stories

top stories 2025 12 20

Top Stories: iOS 26.3 Beta, Major Apple Leaks, and More

Saturday December 20, 2025 6:00 am PST by
You'd think things would be slowing down heading into the holidays, but this week saw a whirlwind of Apple leaks and rumors while Apple started its next cycle of betas following last week's release of iOS 26.2 and related updates. This week also saw the release of a new Apple Music integration with ChatGPT, so read on below for all the details on this week's biggest stories! Top Stories i...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Features Leaked in New Report, Including Under-Screen Face ID

Tuesday December 16, 2025 8:44 am PST by
Next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with under-screen Face ID, and the front camera will be moved to the top-left corner of the screen, according to a new report from The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu. As a result of these changes, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro models will not have a pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the screen....
ios 18 security update

Don't Want to Upgrade to iOS 26? Here's How to Stay on iOS 18 [Update: Now Unavailable]

Friday December 19, 2025 10:37 am PST by
Since the beginning of December, Apple has been pushing iPhone users who opted to stay on iOS 18 to install iOS 26 instead. Apple started by making the iOS 18 upgrades less visible, and has now transitioned to making new iOS 18 updates unavailable on any device capable of running iOS 26. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, Apple is no longer offering new versions of iOS 18, even though there...
airpods pro 3 new blue

AirPods Pro 3's Static and Noise Issues Haven't Been Resolved

Thursday December 18, 2025 3:44 pm PST by
Since the AirPods Pro 3 launched, there have been complaints from users who have noticed a static-like sound or a crackling issue when using the earbuds, particularly when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing. Users have also run into strange high-pitched whistling sounds that happen intermittently. We shared the issues back in late October, and despite two subsequent...
apple music chatgpt

ChatGPT's Apple Music Integration Is Now Live

Wednesday December 17, 2025 3:50 pm PST by
There's now a dedicated Apple Music app for ChatGPT, which allows ChatGPT to make music recommendations and build playlists. Apple Music can be added to ChatGPT through the Settings section in the Mac app, website, or iOS app. Apple Music is listed under the apps option, and connecting to it requires signing in with your Apple Account for authorization purposes. ChatGPT can be used to...
samsung exynos 2600 2nm%402x

Samsung Announces World's First 2nm Mobile Chip Ahead of Apple

Friday December 19, 2025 3:59 am PST by
Samsung has officially unveiled the Exynos 2600, the world's first 2 nanometer mobile system-on-a-chip (SoC), built on the company's Gate-All-Around (GAA) process. The 10-core ARM-based design aims to deliver improved performance and efficiency for flagship devices like the upcoming Galaxy S26 series. The chip uses Arm's latest cores and supports new instructions for improved CPU speed and...
apple beta 26 lineup

Apple's 2026 and 2027 Product Roadmap: Foldable iPhone, iPhone 18 Pro, M5 Macs, and More

Tuesday December 16, 2025 4:42 pm PST by
There has been a whirlwind of rumors over the last few days, sourced from leaked internal software designed for the iPhone and the Mac, and news sites like The Information. Below, we have a quick recap of everything we've heard this week, which serves as a guide to Apple's product plans in 2026 and beyond. We've organized the info by likely release date, though there are some products that...
iOS 26 Maps Glass

Apple Quietly Discontinued Flyover City Tours in Apple Maps

Thursday December 18, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple Maps no longer offers a Flyover feature that provides users with automated tours of notable landmarks in major cities. The Flyover option appears to have been nixed around when iOS 26 launched, but its removal went largely unnoticed. Flyover city tours were introduced in 2014 with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, using Flyover imagery to generate an aerial tour. Most cities with Flyover...

Top Rated Comments

stukdog Avatar
152 months ago
I just got this as well. (US account) The younger me would have been troubleshooting all morning.

The current me just says, "I'll try it later. Someone will fix it on the other end."
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
britboyj Avatar
152 months ago
I just got this as well. (US account) The younger me would have been troubleshooting all morning.

The current me just says, "I'll try it later. Someone will fix it on the other end."

You just encapsulated my life progress.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thegrants82 Avatar
152 months ago
I just got this as well. (US account) The younger me would have been troubleshooting all morning.

The current me just says, "I'll try it later. Someone will fix it on the other end."

LOL! Same here:)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
152 months ago
Before any idiot sarcastically says "it just works", this is just a bug that will probably be fixed in a couple hours.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iLoveiTunes Avatar
152 months ago
sky is falling..... run
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghost of jobs Avatar
152 months ago
Well Im ok therefore I extrapolate that it's media lies and haters!...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)