iPhone [MERGED] iOS 13 - app updates stuck on "Waiting"

[CoolBradG]

I have an account associated with testflight, but I haven't used it for months. I ask, how can it be a testflight problem, if last week I updated it without problems, and from yesterday to today I already stopped doing it

It doesn’t matter how long ago you used TestFlight because I haven’t used it for almost a year now, nor do I still have it installed.

However, it seems that any Apple ID’s that ever used it are now glitched due to a programming error made by someone at Apple.

 

[Vicko]

Just want to add here that I have the same problem for about a week now. I'm not sure if I used in-app purchases in any testflight app but it's possible.

But I want to add that I had completely the same problem in late August this year. I spent a week talking with Apple support. At first they didn't know how to solve problem, but then they told me that problem was that I had too many devices linked to my Apple ID. I removed few devices, but it still didn't solve the problem.

After about 10-15 days while they were trying to solve the problem it magically fixed. They called me after few days to check give me update and they were surprised that everything worked normally.

I thought about calling Apple support again but I'm going on trip in two days so I honestly don't want to bother with that.

 

[CoolBradG]

Just want to add here that I have the same problem for about a week now. I'm not sure if I used in-app purchases in any testflight app but it's possible.

But I want to add that I had completely the same problem in late August this year. I spent a week talking with Apple support. At first they didn't know how to solve problem, but then they told me that problem was that I had too many devices linked to my Apple ID. I removed few devices, but it still didn't solve the problem.

After about 10-15 days while they were trying to solve the problem it magically fixed. They called me after few days to check give me update and they were surprised that everything worked normally.

I thought about calling Apple support again but I'm going on trip in two days so I honestly don't want to bother with that.

If you’re willing, look in your Purchased section in the App Store and filter by “Not On This iPhone” to see if TestFlight is there. Mine shows I downloaded it back in May 2018.

 

[Vicko]

If you’re willing, look in your Purchased section in the App Store and filter by “Not On This iPhone” to see if TestFlight is there. Mine shows I downloaded it back in May 2018.

I don't see Testflight there ??‍♂️.

 

[mfm77]

Add me to the list of people having the same problem and getting the "Did you restart your phone?" treatment from Apple Support.

 

[falkirk81]

I have the same issue, started the day iOS 13.2.3 released, I do use TestFlight however my partner doesn't, I have the issue and she doesn't. So likely it is the Testflight scenario that everyone has deduced already.

Was going to see if the Apple shop near me would investigate but if it is a server side issue then I am not sure if that would be helpful to call into an apple shop?

 

[iMaffo]

Hi everyone! I am affected as well, and I tested some apps through TestFlight, possibly with IAPs, but don’t remember exactly. I just wanted to add that this happened to me already once in August, and lasted a couple of weeks: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250574804

 

[tosbsas]

I had it yesterday with 17 apps being out to Update. I do have TestFlight installed. After using Apple Configurator for one app all the others started to Update fine

 

[Morac]

I think there are plenty of people using TestFlight.

Yes, but how many TestFlight users have made purchases or subscriptions in TestFlight apps?

I’ve used TestFlight for several years, but didn’t make a purchase until a few months ago.

 

[macinjosh9895]

I've been having this issue for a little over a week now. Yes I've used TestFlight to test apps and even test IAP's in those test apps. This all makes more sense.

I did find a work around that is working great for me. I'm using iMazing for app updates as I also use it for local backups on my Mac Pro because my internet isn't the most reliable at all times, and I like the convenience of saving a massive amount of time restoring my devices when I get a new one. But it works great for app updates because it downloads the full app on the computer first then pushes the update to the device.

 

[stoopkidblues]

Can we confirm we’re all running the same OS? My issue started after updating to 13.2.3 so possibly the update is to blame?

 

[Morac]

Can we confirm we’re all running the same OS? My issue started after updating to 13.2.3 so possibly the update is to blame?

It’s not iOS. I have the problem on multiple devices including an Apple TV and an old iPhone 5s on iOS 12.4.3. Some people are reporting it also affects the Mac App Store, but I don’t have a Mac.

 

[falkirk81]

I have just used apple iOS configurator to, slowly, update all my apps on my iPhone X. Takes a lot longer than through the iOS software update mechanism but it does get there.

 

[CoolBradG]

Can we confirm we’re all running the same OS? My issue started after updating to 13.2.3 so possibly the update is to blame?

Nope, I'm running 12.4.1 on both my iPhone XS and iPad Air 2. It's definitely something to do with our Apple ID's and/or the App Store.

 

[iosappdev]

Any iOS devs that can check something?
It seems that the TestFlight installed apps are using the same bundle ID as the ones in the AppStore. This means it is in fact the same app and no beta/release candidate. So installing an app via TestFlight and then via AppStore it will result in replacing the same app.
Is this supposed to work that way??

Yes, this is the way it works. There is only one bundle ID for both apps and in fact the app you get via TestFlight and the app that you get from the App Store are the EXACT SAME app, with different digital signatures! You write the app, archive it, then submit it for internal testing via TestFlight distribution. The TestFlight review process is automated. When you are ready, you submit the already uploaded binary for review for beta testing or for "sale" in the App Store, where it receives more scrutiny. If the app is eventually approved, then it gets an appropriate App Store signature, but everything else about it is the same.

 

[macinjosh9895]

I just went back and checked. On Feb 16, 2019 I did a restore purchase in a TestFlight beta app (Tapatalk). It was on September 14, 2019 that I made an in-app subscription purchase in the same beta app to remove ads.

After that I installed the release version and noticed that the ads were still gone, so the subscription was still active. Early November, that subscription expired since the ads came back. On November 5, I did a trial subscription in the release version of the app.

On November 14, app updates stopped working.


Is there way of making a poll here? I’d really like to know how many people who can’t update apps at all:

1. Made an in app purchase in a TestFlight app sometime in the past and
2. Whether it was a one time purchase or a subscription.
3. Might as well through in, if it was a subscription, did you install the release version over the beta and keep the subscription benefits.

1. Yes
2. One Time
3. Yes on install over beta, but had to re-buy the IAP's.

Also, the update loop affects my Mac App Store purchases as well.
[automerge]1574270671[/automerge]

Can we confirm we’re all running the same OS? My issue started after updating to 13.2.3 so possibly the update is to blame?

No, not iOS. I had the problem on 13.2.2 and 13.2.3. Plus the Mac App Store too. This is definitely on Apple's side.

 

[Eternal Bliss]

I have never made an IAP in TF--at least not one that resulted in a payment. I am running two apps in TF and have never run any other. I tried the IAP function in one of the apps to see whether IAPs were indeed disabled as the devs had said that they were. The process went as I would expect it to have done but skipped the payment section.

 

[CoolBradG]

I wish this problem would get front-page attention of MacRumors, 9To5Mac, etc. There have to be more people affected by this than just the users posting in this thread. ?

 

[Morac]

I have never made an IAP in TF--at least not one that resulted in a payment. I am running two apps in TF and have never run any other. I tried the IAP function in one of the apps to see whether IAPs were indeed disabled as the devs had said that they were. The process went as I would expect it to have done but skipped the payment section.

TF IAP aren’t supposed to be billed, so not being charged is expected. The “purchase” still requires an Apple ID associated with it.

The Sandbox and Production environments are supposed to be completely separate. I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen if the same Apple ID is used in both

 

[limex67]

I wish this problem would get front-page attention of MacRumors, 9To5Mac, etc. There have to be more people affected by this than just the users posting in this thread. ?

People have the power. User #appleupdatefail often and everywhere.

 

[TabsAZ]

The Sandbox and Production environments are supposed to be completely separate. I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen if the same Apple ID is used in both

Yeah that's exactly how it happened with mine - I remember logging in to make the IAP using my normal Apple ID - I didn't even understand at the time that this was creating a separate sandbox account.

 

[Michael Oxford]

Hi all,

Apple Executive Management is aware of the reports about this topic—on this forum and elsewhere. Apple Engineering is working on this issue and hopes to have a resolution very soon.

 

[emikaadeo]

Same issue with 13.2.2 on iPhone 8

Updates sudenly starts working for me since yesterday.
iOS 13.2.3

 

[Angelosgr]

Yeah that's exactly how it happened with mine - I remember logging in to make the IAP using my normal Apple ID - I didn't even understand at the time that this was creating a separate sandbox account.

Indeed, it seems like the updates are handled as apps via TestFlight (sandbox) due to some admin tool/config change that determines what your ApplelD may download/update.

 

[Cogsworth]

On the phone with a senior adviser now. I was reluctant to call since I'm on 13.3 beta, and they always just blame it on the beta...but I thought I'd try anyway and at least get another report in. They are pretty much clueless and I'm surprised with the number of posts I've seen they haven't heard of this issue yet.

God I hate the hold music. Worse than that crap they're playing at Target now to try and stay "hip" and "relevant".

Okay their best answers were restore from backup, reset network setting, and of course...remove the beta. Ugh.