Transfer ownership of iLife?

[micrors4racer]

I bought a used 2011 mac mini and the owner prewiped it (i don't know how he did it though as his old mouse name still shows up on the bluetooth so I assume it wasn't a clean install). Anyway I read on the box that its supposed to come with iLife, however when I try to download it from the appstore I get the error:

These apps cannot be accepted by your Apple ID.

These apps were already assigned to another Apple ID, and they will be available in that Apple ID's Purchases list. If you don't have access to that Apple ID and want to receive future updates, you will need to purchase the applications.

Will a clean install fix this? I am also wondering if I can even re-install Lion because I read that it is tied to the account it was used on? I still have contact with the previous owner so if needed he can probably help me out just don't know where to start.

 

[JediMeister]

A clean install isn't going to fix it. You can reinstall Lion, because computers that shipped with Lion do not require an AppleID to redownload and install it.

It's doubtful the previous owner is going to give you their AppleID because you'll need to put it in every time in order to update the iLife apps, and doing so compromises their account as well because you could, in theory, use their login info to purchase additional content from iTunes/Mac App Store/iBookstore.

The only way to get iLife onto that computer at this point and to be eligible for software updates, is to purchase a retail DVD of iLife '11 and install it.

 

[Slow Programmer]

Seems like it would be a good question to contact Apple about. Since iLife 11 is standard on those machines perhaps they could help you. You have nothing to lose by talking to them.

 

[FlatlinerG]

Seems like it would be a good question to contact Apple about. Since iLife 11 is standard on those machines perhaps they could help you. You have nothing to lose by talking to them.

At the same time though, and from a business standpoint, Apple never made any money off of the sale to the second owner. So why would they give him something for free?

 

[philipma1957]

At the same time though, and from a business standpoint, Apple never made any money off of the sale to the second owner. So why would they give him something for free?

By the same logic the osx of lion should be paid for everytime the machine transfers. This is the downside of no software install disks.

If you buy a machine you are allowed to sell it;
the warranty transfers, osx lion transfers, but life came preinstalled it does not transfer. I smell a court case. Follow the logic iLife can not be unbundled for the first buyer. Therefor apple must allow it to transfer along with lion osx. If apple does not want to do that apple must allow the first buyer to buy a new machine without iLife.

If I were the op I would show the store the two apple pages below they say the machine comes with built in apps iLife. The first buyer paid for them and transferred osx with the machine show me how to transfer iLife. I am guessing the store will help him to do so. Now if the machine had extra software maybe not the extra software. iLife is sold as included software just look at the pages below.

 

[ancelrick]

I smell a court case.

I smell a waste of time...

 

[philipma1957]

I smell a waste of time...

what will happen is apple will simply help the second buyer to install iLife for free since they advertise it as included with the machine.

 

[micrors4racer]

I have contacted support already we shall see we what happens. Another thing is even if I did want to buy ilife it won't let me because it still thinks the machine is registered to the previous owner all it gives me is an option to accept the previous purchase which it obviously won't do.

 

[philipma1957]

please let us know what they say to you.

 

[Mak47]

I have contacted support already we shall see we what happens. Another thing is even if I did want to buy ilife it won't let me because it still thinks the machine is registered to the previous owner all it gives me is an option to accept the previous purchase which it obviously won't do.

It sounds to me that he machine was not in fact "wiped". You should do a clean install of the OS and see if it fixes things. You can do it without an install disk/drive. Just be sure to set it up as a new Mac. I believe you'll have the option to register to your Apple ID, which should resolve your issues.

 

[McGilli]

It sounds to me that he machine was not in fact "wiped". You should do a clean install of the OS and see if it fixes things. You can do it without an install disk/drive. Just be sure to set it up as a new Mac. I believe you'll have the option to register to your Apple ID, which should resolve your issues.

<Makes sense to me.

Lately when I sell my Macs I always wipe them using the Disk Utility from the recovery menu - then hand it to the new owner so they can install OSX fresh.

I only sell to tech savvy people but...

I;ve never had anyone come back to me saying they didn't get any software that was supposed to be on there like iLife etc...

Still - interested to hear what happens.

 

[micrors4racer]

It sounds to me that he machine was not in fact "wiped". You should do a clean install of the OS and see if it fixes things. You can do it without an install disk/drive. Just be sure to set it up as a new Mac. I believe you'll have the option to register to your Apple ID, which should resolve your issues.

Yes I don't think he did a real format just an "erase settings" kind of deal. But I know for sure that a format will not fix the issue because the iLife set works as a "coupon" and once it is redeemed it is stuck on that apple id. Hence you can even log into another mac and download it because it is connected to your id. So what needs to happen now is to have apple reset my machines status (they probably use the serial to identify which machines have redeemed their ilife upon activation) on their system to say that the ilife has not been redeemed on this computer. That or simply give me credit to download it. This is a real issue because what if the computer is bought open box at a retailer like best buy? They need to come up with a system where the included products are tied to the machine like the OS while keeping purchased products to your apple id.

 

[Bear]

I bought a used 2011 mac mini and the owner prewiped it (i don't know how he did it though as his old mouse name still shows up on the bluetooth so I assume it wasn't a clean install).

I think the Apple Magic Mouse actually has it's name stored internally as part of the setup, so it would retain it even if the computer is wiped. This is what I saw when I went from Snow Leopard to Lion using a fresh install.

Anyway I read on the box that its supposed to come with iLife, however when I try to download it from the appstore I get the error:

These apps cannot be accepted by your Apple ID.

These apps were already assigned to another Apple ID, and they will be available in that Apple ID's Purchases list. If you don't have access to that Apple ID and want to receive future updates, you will need to purchase the applications.

Will a clean install fix this? I am also wondering if I can even re-install Lion because I read that it is tied to the account it was used on? I still have contact with the previous owner so if needed he can probably help me out just don't know where to start.

The iLife license for the system is tied to the serial number. So even a clean install won't fix the licensing issue. You need to talk to Apple.

As for Lion, since the Lion license (when the system comes with Lion pre-installed) is tied to the serial number, Lion Internet recovery will let you install Lion on your Mac without entering an Apple ID.

My suggestion is just do the clean install and you don't have to worry if the old owner left anything behind on the system.

 

[chrfr]

what will happen is apple will simply help the second buyer to install iLife for free since they advertise it as included with the machine.

What's advertised as included with a new item has no bearing on what's included with a used one. If Apple decided to assist a 2nd buyer with installing iLife, it is purely their prerogative to do so, not something they're required to do.

 

[philipma1957]

What's advertised as included with a new item has no bearing on what's included with a used one. If Apple decided to assist a 2nd buyer with installing iLife, it is purely their prerogative to do so, not something they're required to do.

you can believe that if you want to and you would be correct if the machine was out of warranty. this machine is in warranty. OP's statement not mine.

The warranty transfers to 2nd owner apple's rules not mine. Apple is responsible to repair the machine to new condition in the case of this machine new condition is iLife installed along with lion osx. Apple's web page shown above states all 2011 mac minis come with iLife.

End of my case for the OP.

I am curious to find out what happens. Just because I am legally correct does not mean OP will get what he need to get for free.

 

[aristobrat]

They could possibly handle it like how they handled the situation when someone bought a second-hand Mac (that was covered by warranty) where the previous owner lost the restore DVDs. It wasn't their policy to replace the lost DVDs without a charge, but they would manually reload OS X/iLife for you if you made an appt at the Genius Bar (while your Mac was still under warranty).

 

[Small White Car]

The warranty transfers to 2nd owner apple's rules not mine. Apple is responsible to repair the machine to new condition in the case of this machine new condition is iLife installed along with lion osx. Apple's web page shown above states all 2011 mac minis come with iLife.

So if I buy a Mac when Apple runs one of those "get a free printer" deals, and then I sell you my Mac but keep the printer, you'd think Apple owes you a free printer?

iLife comes with the Mac. The original owner got iLife and he still has iLife. If he has another Mac he's free to install his iLife on that other machine and keep using it. The problem here is that the seller should have made it clear to the OP that he was selling the Mac, but not selling iLife. This is his problem for not being clear, not Apple's problem.

What you're asking for would result in there being 2 working copies of iLife in existence from only 1 Mac sale. There is no way Apple should be required to make that happen.

 

[philipma1957]

So if I buy a Mac when Apple runs one of those "get a free printer" deals, and then I sell you my Mac but keep the printer, you'd think Apple owes you a free printer?

iLife comes with the Mac. The original owner got iLife and he still has iLife. If he has another Mac he's free to install his iLife on that other machine and keep using it. The problem here is that the seller should have made it clear to the OP that he was selling the Mac, but not selling iLife. This is his problem for not being clear, not Apple's problem.

What you're asking for would result in there being 2 working copies of iLife in existence from only 1 Mac sale. There is no way Apple should be required to make that happen.

no the printer is not free. you pay up front and the rebate is issued a month or so later. completely different case. rebate language clearly says 1 rebate for one order. . Also ordering the printer is an option. In this case of the printer apple says if you want to buy a printer and get a rebate you can but you do not have to do so.

with iLife it comes preinstalled new you must get it. now if apple offered the mini new without iLife
(with a discount) you would be correct.

your example of the owner lifting iLife assumes a he did that . he registered the mini according to the op. he is not allowed to use bundled oem software from that machine on other machines. BTW no one knows if the original owner did use the oem software from this mini on other minis and or macs.

 

[Small White Car]

with iLife it comes preinstalled new you must get it. now if apple offered the mini new without iLife
(with a discount) you would be correct.

Let's step back to before the Mac App Store.

When you bought a Mac then it had iLife on it and came with a DVD that had iLife on it. If I wipe the Mac and sell it to you, you have to say "Hey, give me the DVD with iLife on it."

Let's say you forget to say that and I keep the DVD. Is Apple required to give you a new DVD in that case, because you neglected to demand the disk from me?

 

[BaldiMac]

you can believe that if you want to and you would be correct if the machine was out of warranty. this machine is in warranty. OP's statement not mine.

The warranty transfers to 2nd owner apple's rules not mine. Apple is responsible to repair the machine to new condition in the case of this machine new condition is iLife installed along with lion osx. Apple's web page shown above states all 2011 mac minis come with iLife.

End of my case for the OP.

I am curious to find out what happens. Just because I am legally correct does not mean OP will get what he need to get for free.

What law or warranty clause requires Apple to allow you to transfer your iLife license to another user? I've never seen a warranty that requires the manufacturer to restore a non-broken machine to new condition.

 

[philipma1957]

What law or warranty clause requires Apple to allow you to transfer your iLife license to another user? I've never seen a warranty that requires the manufacturer to restore a non-broken machine to new condition.

While this is the first good example you have come up with there is still a problem. apple would be required to proof the original owner registered iLife with said mini.

If I buy a new mini from amazon and wipe it clean then loading lion from internet

Choosing to never activate iLife when I loaded the lion osx on it. the mini's iLife never was activated. So for apple to tell you the original owner has activated the oem loaded iLife on this mini f you. They would be in violation on the original owner's privacy.
Also in order to deny you the oem bundled iLife that came with the machine they would need to show you the original owners account to proof it was activated.

The preinstalled software causes a lot of complication in this case. Mind you op has not gotten back to us on this.

The problem is iLife comes prebundled apple sells it that way.
For apple to deny it to you they need to proof that the original owner did peel iLife away from the mini you purchased from him: below is the rule on iLife.

2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions.
A. Single Use. The Apple Software is being licensed to you as a bundle and allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one Apple-labeled computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time. You may make one copy of the Apple Software in machine-readable form for backup purposes only; provided that the backup copy must include all copyright or other proprietary notices contained on the original.


If apple says the ilife was taken off the mini they need to tell you a lot of info about the original owner (thus my statement "I smell a lawsuit" 10 or more posts back)

For instance how many of us have 2 or more macs a lot of us do. How is apple to show which one is which when it comes to the iLife license .

If you think this is bad. How about this I owned 3 mac minis and an Imac along with a mac pro. every one had lion preinstalled. except the mac pro I purchased the lion down load for the mac pro and when I sold the mac pro lion did not travel with the mac pro. So I own a lion osx in cyber space so to speak.

 

[BaldiMac]

While this is the first good example you have come up with there is still a problem.

That was my first post on this thread. I just asked a question.

apple would be required to proof the original owner registered iLife with said mini.

If I buy a new mini from amazon and wipe it clean then loading lion from internet

Choosing to never activate iLife when I loaded the lion osx on it. the mini's iLife never was activated. So for apple to tell you the original owner has activated the oem loaded iLife on this mini f you. They would be in violation on the original owner's privacy.
Also in order to deny you the oem bundled iLife that came with the machine they would need to show you the original owners account to proof it was activated.

The preinstalled software causes a lot of complication in this case. Mind you op has not gotten back to us on this.

The problem is iLife comes prebundled apple sells it that way.

I think you are just making stuff up that you think maybe should be "legally correct."

 

[bogatyr]

Regarding iLife: Take it to an Apple Store and they will install it for you. I sold my old MBP and the guy who bought it had the same issue. I was going to give him an old DVD with iLife on it since he couldn't get it through the Mac App Store (I felt bad about selling it and not knowing he wouldn't be able to get iLife). Before he came to pick up the DVD, he stopped by an Apple Store and they installed it for him without any hassles. He texted me that he didn't need the DVD anymore due to Apple helping him out.

Regarding the mouse: The bluetooth mice info is stored in PRAM/NVRAM in addition to the hard drive. How do I know this? The mouse works at the EFI password screen - before FileVault2 decrypts the hard drive. So you can wipe the hard drive out completely and still have bluetooth settings left on the laptop.

 

[MartyF81]

Apple has no obligation to make this right. They do it because they care about the user experience and want to sell the products that come out of the iLife Suite (Photobooks etc...). Also they don't want stupid articles and blog posts out there making them look bad over a small amount of money program. They make a business decision to fix it because it makes sense... not because they have to do it.

For some reason the people of this planet have a sense of entitlement when it comes to "Software" and think because it is a not a physical tangible object that you can put your hands on that it is no big deal to give away or take for free etc...

But the reality is that there is a cost that goes into the development and support of it, and shouldn't be free.

If you bought a used Mac that was missing the A/C Adapter..... would you walk into an Apple store and say "This Macbook says it comes with an A/C adapter and now it is gone, give me one for free." ?? No you would not.

What the previous owner kept the Hard Drive? or the Apple Stickers that came in the box? How about the box itself? You wouldn't go into an Apple store and say "The box says it comes with a 500GB hard drive, and it is missing put one in please, I am entitled."

It is not Apple's responsibility to make this device the same as it is described on the box. It is comical how many "Armchair Lawyers" there are in this thread quoting "law" like they know what they are talking about. Apple licensed the iLife software to the original purchaser, not the 2nd hand buyer. It would be the responsibility of the original owner to transfer their license to the 2nd owner.... not Apple's responsibility.

 

[micrors4racer]

I tried what was said on this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1224880/ and it worked on my used Mac Mini. I called the number listed and spoke to a iApps specialist
Sterling Rios
iApps Senior Advisor


He talked to his engineers got everything done in less than 45min. They solved it by using vouchers.