Updating Apps on OSX? (FCP, Compressor, Motion)

[John Rofrano]

[Stephen Rutherford] “Is there an *easy* way to get around this to simply update the programs that are on this machine?”

No. The apps are tied to the Apple ID that purchased them, not any particular Mac which is what I love about Apple. I can purchase an application once and download it and use it to my 4 Macs without any problems. You can’t do that with other vendors like Adobe that lock their software to a particular computer like you’re a criminal.

[Stephen Rutherford] “It is my predecessor’s company email address as opposed to a personal email address – I suppose I could enlist the help of our IT department by doing a “password recovery” option, but I wanted to see if there is something I can do, myself, to get around it first.”

Have you tried the logon password for his account? Newer version of OS X encourage you to use the same password for iCloud and your logon. Since he used his work email to purchase the apps, perhaps he made it the same as the logon password. Otherwise, just contact him and ask him for the password. If the apps were purchased with company funds they are not his anyway.

[Stephen Rutherford] “Mac is not my native platform, so any assistance would be greatly appreciated!”

I used a PC for 30+ years but I prefer a Mac now. Welcome to the community. 😉

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Stephen Rutherford]

Thank you for your reply! I appreciate you being thorough in your response.

Unfortunately, I do not have the previous employee’s login credentials. He installed the software while he was here but now I am unable to update anything because the purchase was tied to his Apple ID.

Thanks, again, for your help. I thought I would start here before I tried anything else!

Stephen Rutherford
Digital Media Developer
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
https://www.holidayworld.com

[John Rofrano]

You can try contacting Apple to have the password reset but they will ask you security questions that only he may know the answers to but it’s worth a try.

If he purchased the software with company funds, I would ask your manager to resolve the issue as they are tied to that Apple ID which should be tied to the business.

Good Luck!

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Craig Alan]

Too many things you can’t do wout admin account password.
Try contacting Applecare. They should have a record based on serial number of Mac who owns it.

Have that ready before you call. It’s on the bottom of the foot stand. easier to read by taking a phone picture of it and then you can blow it up.

If they see it’s the company’s computer they can help you set up a new admin account.

and/or

Ask IT for admin account. If they don’t want to give you IT’s admin account ask them to set you up one so you can install apps and use system preferences and so forth. They let the last guy do it.

Also if the last guy was using his apps on his work computer then he owns them and they do not belong to company.
But you can install yours using your Apple ID.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.