A paid app that seems to want to be paid for again...

[StarShot]

I downloaded a paid app called "Will it rain"" for $1.99. It's now missing from my iPhone (iOS9.x). When I bring it up again to reinstall, the App's store shows it as $1.99. IMHO, the app is a rip since I don't see any difference between it and the free version. If I try to reinstall it, will I be charged again? I thought once a person paid for an app, they could then download it for free.

I should note that the IPHONE 6S I downloaded it to crapped out and Apple gave me a replacement for the phone. Before my phone crapped out, I didn't get a chance to backup the phone before it bricked.

 

[yaboyac29]

it should be tied to your account, not the phone.

what happens when you download the app in iTunes? if it let's you, then just sync it to the iPhone from there.

 

[zorinlynx]

Often times an author will release a new version of their app as a new app, effectively making it a paid upgrade. Tweetbot is another example of an app developer that does this. This is usually accompanied by the previous version you bought being removed from the app store to prevent confusion (aka people buying it twice).

The previous version of the app should still be in your "Purchased" section.

It's a controversial practice; app developers want to make money for their development efforts towards a new version. I can understand this as long as they don't do it too often. In my case Tweetbot is a great app so I pay when the occasional paid upgrade does come out.

 

[Paco II]

I've tried this app. The in app purchase is for push notifications. Only you can decide if that is worth the $1.99. In MOST cases if you bought the app you can easily restore. I did get 'bit' once, by weather underground, where the in app purchase is for a year of no ads. I was reinstalling the app and selected the pay option to try and restore, but was actually charged again. Apple easily refunded me. So most of the time you won't get charged again, but always check your bill

I downloaded a paid app called "Will it rain"" for $1.99. It's now missing from my iPhone (iOS9.x). When I bring it up again to reinstall, the App's store shows it as $1.99. IMHO, the app is a rip since I don't see any difference between it and the free version. If I try to reinstall it, will I be charged again? I thought once a person paid for an app, they could then download it for free.

I should note that the IPHONE 6S I downloaded it to crapped out and Apple gave me a replacement for the phone. Before my phone crapped out, I didn't get a chance to backup the phone before it bricked.

 

[Menel]

Go find it in the purchased section of app store

 

[Paco II]

I believe Apple's recent changes make this no longer possible for apps no longer in the store.

Go find it in the purchased section of app store

 

[xero9]

I believe Apple's recent changes make this no longer possible for apps no longer in the store.

I was under the impression that this was only in rare cases. Under normal circumstances they will remain in the purchase tab, but the developer can request Apple to remove it entirely.

Just as an example, I had an airline app that has been pulled for a while. I can still go in an install it if I want.

 

[0007776]

I believe Apple's recent changes make this no longer possible for apps no longer in the store.

There was either a glitch or a test of how people would react in the Mac App Store a bit ago, but I'm pretty sure you can still download purchased apps that are no longer in the App Store, although I think developers can chose to not allow them at all.

 

[Paco II]

Ah ok. I had read about the tweetbot stuff but didn't realize it was just an app store glitch.

There was either a glitch or a test of how people would react in the Mac App Store a bit ago, but I'm pretty sure you can still download purchased apps that are no longer in the App Store, although I think developers can chose to not allow them at all.

 

[0007776]

Ah ok. I had read about the tweetbot stuff but didn't realize it was just an app store glitch.

Yeah I just double checked and I have one or two old apps that aren't available in the store that are still available on the purchases page.