Can't redownload things 3, required to pay for it again

I purchased Things 3 in Nov 2021. However, after I purchased a new MacBook, I can't redownload the app again. The Apple App Store has the receipt of my purchase. But the app in the Apple Store still requires me to pay for the app again. Is there anything you can do to allow me to download the app I bought before? One reason I choose Things 3 is to avoid subscription and own the app forever. It's unexpected that I have to buy the app I owned before again.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 1:42 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 6:22 PM

klein130 wrote:

updates: I have called apple customer service 3 times. Their reply is that although they have found my purchase history of this app, they can not regrant my access to the app I purchased before, because I haven't used it for 90 days. What a funny and silly response, I lost an app I owned just because that I purchased a new Macbook and didn't install the app within 90 days! It totally breaks the trust I have on Apple!

Never heard of that before and I have routinely downloaded apps that I had not used for much longer than 90 days. In fact I just did one now that I had not used for a year and it redownloaded with no problem and it was a purchased app too. I suspect there may be another reason, and the customer service agent may not have known what that was or somehow misunderstood what you were trying to accomplish. If it were me, I would be calling again even though I see you had called 3 times.


Another option would be to contact Cultured Code (Things Developer), and relay the information you have with any proof of purchase for the previous app. They can issue you a free Promo Code that will allow you to download the app again. You do that by entering the code in the App Store and the app will be downloaded at no cost.

https://culturedcode.com/things/support/

9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 4, 2025 6:22 PM in response to klein130

klein130 wrote:

updates: I have called apple customer service 3 times. Their reply is that although they have found my purchase history of this app, they can not regrant my access to the app I purchased before, because I haven't used it for 90 days. What a funny and silly response, I lost an app I owned just because that I purchased a new Macbook and didn't install the app within 90 days! It totally breaks the trust I have on Apple!

Never heard of that before and I have routinely downloaded apps that I had not used for much longer than 90 days. In fact I just did one now that I had not used for a year and it redownloaded with no problem and it was a purchased app too. I suspect there may be another reason, and the customer service agent may not have known what that was or somehow misunderstood what you were trying to accomplish. If it were me, I would be calling again even though I see you had called 3 times.


Another option would be to contact Cultured Code (Things Developer), and relay the information you have with any proof of purchase for the previous app. They can issue you a free Promo Code that will allow you to download the app again. You do that by entering the code in the App Store and the app will be downloaded at no cost.

https://culturedcode.com/things/support/

Nov 4, 2025 3:34 PM in response to klein130

From the link provided earlier:


Already own Things?

Got a new Apple device?

Install Things on a new Mac, iPad, iPhone, Watch or Vision without extra charges.


Each platform type (Mac, iPhone, etc.) is a separate purchase, but once you buy it for that platform you can redownload it for free without charge (or so the website says). The "App Store" (vs. Mac App Store) is for the iOS and iPadOS platform. If you bought your old copy for one of those then you have to pay again for a version for a computer.

Nov 10, 2025 9:28 AM in response to klein130

klein130 wrote:

Updates: the app developer of things 3 gave me a gift card to redeem the app again. The problem got solved by the app developer.

Good to know and thanks for the update. Developers should be rewarded when they take care of their customers and have the tools to do that with the free promo codes that they can request from Apple. Not all of them will do that and some may simply give a user push back saying it is not their fault or pushing them off on Apple, when they can simply allow a user to download the app again for free and the problem is solved.

Nov 4, 2025 5:17 PM in response to klein130

updates: I have called apple customer service 3 times. Their reply is that although they have found my purchase history of this app, they can not regrant my access to the app I purchased before, because I haven't used it for 90 days. What a funny and silly response, I lost an app I owned just because that I purchased a new Macbook and didn't install the app within 90 days! It totally breaks the trust I have on Apple!

Can't redownload things 3, required to pay for it again

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.