Previously installed independent watch-only apps shows a disabled "PURCHASED" button in iOS App Store, preventing users from installing them again, and confusing them

Originator:keff85
Number:rdar://FB9493869 Date Originated:12-08-2021
Status:Open Resolved:
Product:App Store Product Version:
Classification: Reproducible:Yes
 
Please provide a descriptive title for your feedback:
Previously installed independent watch-only apps shows a disabled "PURCHASED" button in iOS App Store, preventing users from isntalling them again, and confusing them

Which area are you seeing an issue with?
App Store

What type of feedback are you reporting?
Incorrect/Unexpected Behavior

Please describe the issue and what steps we can take to reproduce it:
Reproduction steps:
1. Install the watch-only watchapp from iOS by clicking Install in app store
2. Remove the app from watch (or get a new watch)
3. Find the app again in the iOS app store (eg. with link: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1501958576 )

Expected result:
There should be an Install button again, which will re-install the app

Actual result
There is a *disabled* PURCHASE button which confuses a lot of users of my app:
- the button is disabled, so they are confused and think that the app was pulled from app store or is for some reason unavailable
- users cannot reinstall the app in a way they know to work with iOS apps
- it says “purchased” even though they didn’t purchase anything inside the app

Comments


Please note: Reports posted here will not necessarily be seen by Apple. All problems should be submitted at bugreport.apple.com before they are posted here. Please only post information for Radars that you have filed yourself, and please do not include Apple confidential information in your posts. Thank you!