Fix it: ‘Unable to Purchase’ Error
by Brian • April 1, 2012 • iOS, iPad, iPhone • 21 Comments
If you have been getting a similar error to the ‘Unable to Purchase – (Application Name) and (number) other items could not be purchased at this time. Please try again later’ then you will know how annoying it is. Your error will vary, the app will change and the number of ‘other’ apps will be different, but your annoyance level will probably be about the same.
I have a fix for you that requires a little bit of work but it’s fairly easy to accomplish and doesn’t require a jailbreak. Just follow these steps…
1. Download iExplorer (formerly iPhone Explorer) on your Mac or PC for Free via http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer
2. Install and open iExplorer before you plug in your iPhone or iPad
3. Plug in your iDevice and run iExplorer
4. On the left expand Media and Downloads
5. Scroll way down inside the Downloads folder to the only file ending in ‘sqlitedb’
6. Rename that file to ‘sqllitedb.old’
7. Close iExplorer and unplug your iDevice
8. Close and reopen the app store and the problem should be solved (you need to hard close by double clicking the home button and holding the app store in the multitask menu then hitting the X)
This causes the database to be re-created without the stuck entries that are causing the problem.
We hold no responsibility if this causes any harm to your device but if you follow these instructions you should have no issues.
Update 1: Or you can use DiskAid or other iPhone file system viewer.
Update 2: As Dave M points out in the comments, instead of renaming the file you can delete it to recover the space. Please use this option with caution, if you accidentally delete the wrong file it could cause serious damage to your phone.
Thank You!!!! I have been looking everywhere for a fix!!!
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+1 (using DiskAid), thanks!
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Totally works…thank you so much!
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Ahh yes. Thank you for this! That problem was so annoying! Your solution works great, and much better than the only alternative I’ve seen, deleting everything and starting fresh.
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Thank you so much for this solution. It’s ironic that my iPad constantly reminded me it could not purchase Rage 2, when rage is exactly what coursed through me each time that error appeared.
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Hello Brian,
Can’t thank you enough for this solution, it was very simple to do and has saved me lots of time.
Thanks again, Steve
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genius!! this worked. Thanks a ton for providing such a simple solution…. pity that the apple support websites dont quote any of this!
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Thank you so much!!!
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Just say it worked like a charm and thank you so much!!!!
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awesome, thank you so much!
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You should have folks delete the downloads.28.sqlitedb file instead of renaming it. Renaming it will keep all the storage the file uses on the device which could be substantial.
Also, if there are any folders in the “Downloads” folder, they should be deleted as well. Folders only exist in the Downloads folder temporarily to keep track of currently downloading applications. Once an application has been downloaded, the folder is deleted.
There should be only two files in the Downloads folder. The downloads.28.sqlitedb file and the manifest.plist file.
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Dave M, thanks for the tip. We recommended renaming the file just to limit the risk of users damaging anything.
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I understand, I’m just saying that leaving that old sqlitedb file laying around will waste a bunch of space that could otherwise be used.
Maybe suggest that after about a week of using the device, if everything is still OK, go back in and delete the sqlitedb file and the folders since they are not necessary.
I wound up freeing up a lot of space by deleting all those folders and the sqlitedb file. Also, I did this over 2 months ago and both devices are still working perfectly. After all that time, there is still just the sqlitedb file and a plist file in the Downloads folder.
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I deleted the file becuase it was obviously corrupted and taking up over 2GB. The recreated file is 80kb…a HUGE difference. I wondered why the orange “other” in the itunes bar was so large.
I also deleted the extra folders in the download folders. There were 53. Obviouslly a side effect of the corrupt database file.
All is good now. Thank you for this post!
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Yep, that one of the biggest reasons the “Other” category shows so much space being used.
Another is apps using the space like Audible’s app after having downloaded a couple of audiobooks into it, or Comixology’s Comic app having quite a few comic downloaded into it or even a magazine like Wired having a couple of issues downloaded.
Even applications themselves that download with data will take up Other storage.
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I am stumped by looking for media and downloads on the left? I don’t see I anywhere… How do I find this folder? I am using the latest I explorer.
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Just to let you know your web-site appears a little bit strange on Firefox on my pc with Linux .
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Tried this and every other tip on the web. Nothing works!!
The problems occured this afternoon and has nothing to do with updates or anything.
Why doesnt Apple do anything about this problem???? Goddamn applecrap!!!!!!
However, this manifest-File is not in the download folder.
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