The Mac App Store (MAS) registers downloaded apps—paid and free—to the Apple ID associated with the store at the time of download. Most people only ever log in with a single Apple ID for app purchases or retrievals, and thus all apps installed on their Macs remain correctly licensed to that Apple ID.
However, it’s possible even using a single Apple ID that you will see an error when you attempt to update certain apps that reads, “Update Unavailable with This Apple ID.” This seems to happen commonly with Apple’s productivity apps: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates. If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click “More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install. You might be asked to enter your administrator password. The App Store Updates page only informs you of updates available for the OS you are currently running. As you are running an older system then you are probably up to date on that system. If you want to install a newer OS that is called an Upgrade. The model and year of your Mac will determine which macOS you can upgrade to.
The message goes on to say, “This update is not available for this Apple ID either because it was bought by a different user or the item was refunded or canceled.” If none of those conditions are true, you may still see the error in some readers’ (and my family’s) experience. (Why does this happen? Apple hasn’t provided any insight.)
The solution is slightly annoying, but not onerous.
- Delete the apps in question from the Applications folder.
- Empty the trash.
- In the Mac App Store, make sure you are logged into the store using the Apple ID you routinely use for purchases by selecting Store.
- If it shows your Apple ID in Show My Account, then you’re set.
- If you’re not logged in, select Sign In.
- If you’re logged into the wrong account, select Sign Out, and then Sign In.
- Re-download the apps that prompted the error. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are free, so there shouldn’t be a new purchase or other dialog that appears.
Now, the next time updates appear for these apps, you should be able to install them without going through this process again.
Mac Says No Updates Available Phones
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by a Macworld reader.
My Mac Says No Updates Available
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Use Software Update
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu , then click Software Update to check for updates.
- If any updates are available, click the Update Now button to install them. Or click “More info” to see details about each update and select specific updates to install. You might be asked to enter your administrator password.
- When Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, the installed version of macOS and all of its apps are also up to date. That includes Safari, Music, Photos, Books, Messages, Mail, Calendar, and FaceTime.
- To automatically install future updates, including for apps that you got from the App Store, select “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.” Your Mac will notify you when updates require it to restart, so you can always choose to install those later.
Update the software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Mac Os Says No Updates Available
Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Learn more
- Learn how to get updates for earlier versions of macOS that don't include Software Update preferences.
- You can also use the App Store to update apps or redownload apps that came from the App Store.
- Learn which macOS your Mac is using and how to upgrade to the latest macOS.
- When your Mac is connected to a Personal Hotspot, large updates don't download automatically.