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Earlier today, we noted Apple had recently removed older versions of OS X and other discontinued software from the Purchased tab of the Mac App Store for users who had previously purchased or downloaded them. The apps, which included Aperture, iPhoto, OS X Lion, OS X Mountain Lion and OS X Mavericks, have now returned to the Purchased tab.
The disappearance of the ability to re-download older software irked users, with some calling the action "user hostile." It's unclear if Apple pulled the software intentionally or whether the Mac App Store experienced a temporary bug in advance of the availability of OS X El Capitan. However, the software was unavailable for several days before returning tonight.
Only one of the apps, Aperture, will continue to be compatible with OS X El Capitan.
Update: As noted by several readers, some discontinued software including Logic Pro 9 and older versions of OS X Server remain unavailable for re-download from the Purchased tab.
Thanks, Matthew!
Top Rated Comments
User-hostile?
Let's not forget the unapologetic 16GB storage on a phone that records 4K videosPlease.
5GB of free iCloud storage is user-hostile.
There, now people can make backups of their software, and perhaps stop complaining when Apple finally takes down the stuff that was largely FREE to begin with.
Lion + Lion Server = $80It wasn't free to me.
It doesn't mean Apple should provide the download link forever.
I think it kind of does. It should be understood as the unwritten quid pro quo of cloud-hosted software store purchases instead of physical media releases. Storage and bandwidth costs are on an ever-decreasing trend, and old software probably doesn't get downloaded all that often or place much of a burden on systems that are built for huge numbers of downloads. The only real reason for software to expire would be hubris or error. Apple should be fostering the idea that past purchases are safe and aren't going anywhere if they want people to trust in using them to obtain software. Or else we might as well purchase whatever we want elsewhere whenever possible and that 30% they get on apps can go to devs and/or our own storage costs.I think individual app devs could use the 'it costs too much to keep all versions around' excuse in some cases, I don't think a massive company like Apple, with a self-styled 'store' can get away with not storing!
Please.
5GB of free iCloud storage is user-hostile.
Almost as arrogant as expecting perpetually hosted legacy software that you likely didn't buy anyway. GIMME GIMME GIMME, right?
Last time I checked, 3/5 softwares listed in the article were not free.Yea I'm sure hosting those 5 applications is such a costly thing for Apple. Give me a break.
There, now people can make backups of their software, and perhaps stop complaining when Apple finally takes down the stuff that was largely FREE to begin with.
I paid for iPhoto, Lion and Mountain Lion thank you very much.