Get rid of false iTunes application update icon that won’t go away

Hi – I tried this solution, hoping it would finally get rid of that bastard “1” – but it came back, right as the apps were being transferred… perhaps there’s a discrepancy between one of the apps and the App Store’s version number? Perhaps it’ll go away with time… Thanks.

This actually isn’t a glitch. This will only occur if another user has ever made a purchase on your iTunes library. See, the secret is that the “check for updates” button only checks for updates for the iTunes account that is currently signed in. iTunes however will always display the number of updates available even if the original purchaser isn’t signed in at the time. This is the reason why some of you always see the number “1” next to applications.

The correct way to fix this is to “get info” on the first application on your list and look at the summary. Pay close attention for the account that purchased the app. Keep clicking next until the purchaser changes. Once it does, sign intothat account an check for updates again. Once you do, the one update, for that one app will be displayed and you update in peace and the number 1 will dissappear.

-Joseph

Sent from my iPhone.

I tried both suggestions. Neither worked. I have the number 4 designating the number of updates needed. It is very frustrating to see this, wondering if there are updates that should be made.

Thanks Linda, that worked perfect.

jtjdt is right!!! I had 1 app that was downloaded with a different username. As soon as I deleted that particular app, the #1 disappeared FOREVER! The original post is wrong, don’t waste your time, just follow jtjdt’s advice.

test worked so I will try to post again how to gid rid of the applications updates available number. There must be at least two issues here because having tried JTJDT’s method which did not work becuase I had never used another purchasers name, etc. I tried Linda’s method which DID work. A little clarification might help others. Perhaps due to iTunes updates the LINK Linda refers to is on the lower right side of the screen, on my Windows XP laptop, which opened after clicking on “applications and whatever updates number you are showing” which is located in the upper left area of iTunes below Audiobooks and above Radio. The updates available link on the bottom right of the newly opened screen will have the same number, for me it was 2, just to its left. Note: just to the right of that link you will see another link “Get More Applications” which you can ignore as it just takes you to the app store. Now click on the # updates available link and a page populated with the apps with available updates will appear. Click on the grey “Get Update” radio button and small window titled “Applications Can Not Be Purchased With Shopping Cart” will appear which has a “Buy” and a “Cancel” radio button. Even though all my apps had FREE to the left of the “Get Update” button you will still get this message. Click on “Buy” and another small window asking for your password will open. Provide your password and the update will proceed and your app number will decrese by one. Keep updating the apps which have available udates and the nuber will be be gone when you complete them all. Hope this helps

***This works***

The suggestion to check purchases made in other users was spot on as well as user who says open Applications window in new window. I discovered that one of the apps was purchases using my husband’s itunes account. I didn’t have to sign on to his account though to update it. If you follow the advice above by a user to double click on Applications to open in a new window, you will see the link at the bottom right to update your applications and that will work for all applications.

Thanks. This bug been driving me mad for ages.

Linda above is right. There are actual updates that you can get by opening the applications into a separate window, clicking on updates available at the bottom and then going back to the iTunes store where the application updates will show up and can be downloaded. Thanks Linda!!

The same issue happened to me after buying apps on 2 different stores. I had to make the update being to the stored where I did the purchase initially.

none of this worked for me. i have clicked the apps link, the lower right and the upper left. still it says 6. i have no other sign in. i have only one computer. i have 6 on my iphone and when i click on the app needed to update, it’s too big, and says i need to sign in to itunes. but the update is not there. i can update from my phone when the app update is not too big. this is so annoying.

jtjdt’s method worked for me! cheers mate

Thanks Julie, I was able to identify the app that was causing the difficulty by checking updates available on my phone ( i usually never update that way) – i checked out the app and it had been purchased using the same account as my other apps but using a credit card under a different name in a different store. i think the different name was the deciding factor. it was a free app so i just downloaded it again form my usual store. dont know if i could have done something about it if it had been a paid for app

At last, after years of searching (yes, I am serious) I finally discovered this thread and iTunes now shows the right update number. Shame shame on Apple for not having a simple right click tell you that there are 2 updates available for another user account than the one currently logged in. How hard would that be.

Try this one :)
http://www.ifans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114739

I resolved this problem by:

1) in iTunes look at top left corner (just right of “ping”) there is your account username. You may be under another user name. This is why they are not syncing properly.
2) click on account & sign out
3) log back in using correct user
4) sync
5) resolved issue

Thanks Linda! It worked perfectly.

Thank you. This was so annoying