Apple breaks the Mac App Store for macOS Sierra users

AppleInsider

A back end change to the Mac App Store appears to have shut out users of macOS Sierra and older versions, blocking not just purchases, but also downloads of software already bought.

Apple's macOS Sierra came out in 2016

While users of the current macOS Sequoia have recently benefited from Mac App Store changes, it's being reported that users on 2016's macOS Sierra are no longer able to use the store at all.

As first spotted by blogger Michael Tsai, macOS 10.12.6 Sierra users are now just getting an error message when the attempt to sign in. It's not certain whether it is affecting all or only some macOS Sierra users, but reports are spreading on Apple support forums and social media.

Post by @lextar@social.blach.io

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The issue appears to have followed Apple's mid-January announcement to developers that it would be changing how certificates for App Store receipts are signed. This is how the App Store encodes a proof of purchase for apps.

Apple has cautioned developers that it is possible that "your app will fail to validate the receipt," which could mean that "your customers may lose access to their content. The developer note explains how individual apps could be updated to avoid this.

There doesn't appear to be a similar notice concerning the whole of the App Store. It's conceivable, then, that this is an error which will be addressed by Apple in an update.

However, macOS Sierra is now close to a decade old. It was also a particularly significant release as it was the first to be branded macOS instead of OS X.

It was in the following release, macOS High Sierra, that Apple made the switch to only 64-bit apps. This meant that older 32-bit software could no longer be used from this 2018 update or later.



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macpro

I'm glad I have ISOs for every Mac OS going back to the beta of MacOSX. The next OS, High Sierra, was the first to support APFS and 64-bit. It's amazing how far we have come. Yesterday, I got Windows 11 ARM up and running in a VM on my M2 Studio Ultra. It runs very fast, and there have been no issues so far.

edited February 7

rezwits

But not "High Sierra" right? K thanks! whew...

bobolicious

"It was in the following release, macOS High Sierra, that Apple made the switch to only 64-bit apps. This meant that older 32-bit software could no longer be used from this 2018 update or later."

I understand Mojave was the last macOS to support 32 bit apps...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS

cgar15

And Apple morphs into Microsoft of old… Users are not thenpriority anymore. No matter how ild is your gear, you should be able to still use it at full

lmac

I am having problems signing into the App Store and viewing Purchases in High Sierra (10.13) too, but Catalina and newer work. When I go to the App Store in High Sierra, there is no Login prompt and the sidebar does not appear. Catalina (10.15) is the first Mac OS version to require 64-bit apps. So I'd guess that Mojave (10.14) is also going to have problems. Apple must be cleaning house and getting rid of 32-bit versions of the apps.

edited February 8

xed

Speaking of breaking, why has Automator been broken for 3 major macOS updates now. I can run a workflow from within the Automator app, I can use old apps I've created using Automator, but if I create a new one or edit a workflow that I then export to an app it doesn't get built correctly. This happening across multiple Macs.

keithw

Maybe try Open Core Legacy Patcher to be able to upgrade to a newer OS.  I run my  wife's old 2017 iMac with it, and it's running Sequoia 15.3.  Slow but certainly usable.

https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/

samuraiartguy

I ran into this over a week ago, attempting to launch Sound Studio, which had been running reliably for years with no issues. Asked to sign into the App Store, which promptly rejected my Sign in. manifested on both my older Classic Mac Pro (5,1) workstations running Mac OS High Sierra and Mojave.  After two fruitless episodes with Apple Support, I threw up my hands and bought a new license from Felt Tip. I had a project to finish. I downloaded the app directly from their web site. I reasonably suspected Apple, as I could sign into my Apple Id account, iCloud, iTunes, the Music Store...

Yesterday, I found sign-in access had been restored on both machines, through no effort on My part. Apparently Apple quietly tweaked or fixed the App Store backstage.

Apple did this. Reminder: Upcoming Changes to the App Store Receipt Signing Intermediate Certificate. They informed developers, but not a word to customers. It seems that Apple Support either did not know, or was not permitted to tell us.

All Apple support needed to say would have been – "Sit tight. We’re aware of the issue and are working on it.” – Just THAT. Grrr. Arrgh. Cost me an un-needed software license, three working days and half a weekend putzing around trying various technical fixes to no avail, including re-installing MacOS High Sierra on Workstation #2. Pain. In. The. Arse....  As least I won’t have to buy a Mac $tudio.... This Week.

eriamjh

I was running Catalina on my 2013 iMac for about two years after MacOS dropped support for it, but then I discovered OCLP.
Armed with TWO Full backups, I made the leap to Ventura right before Sonoma came out, then eventually Sonoma.   It's fairly reliable and I still can run everything I need.  It's a life saver!   

Use OCLP at your own risk!

chasm

cgar15 said:

And Apple morphs into Microsoft of old… Users are not thenpriority anymore. No matter how ild is your gear, you should be able to still use it at full

OR, as evidenced by some posts above, it was a temporary glitch and is fixed now.

I wonder if your partner likes your habit of premature speculation ...

slurpy

cgar15 said:

And Apple morphs into Microsoft of old… Users are not thenpriority anymore. No matter how ild is your gear, you should be able to still use it at full

"Morphs"? Apple has ALWAYS trimmed legacy features and compatibility faster than Microsoft, it's what allows them to move ahead in software and not retain all the bloat. 

Also, Sierra is 8 fucking generations old now, and a TINY percentage of users would still be on this version, the majority of which I doubt even use their Macs anymore. I'm all for breaking compatibility with a decade old OS which is considered absolutely ancient if it will improve things for newer releases and upcoming ones. People like you are the reason things are so bloated and unoptimized. 

dewme

eriamjh said:

I was running Catalina on my 2013 iMac for about two years after MacOS dropped support for it, but then I discovered OCLP.
Armed with TWO Full backups, I made the leap to Ventura right before Sonoma came out, then eventually Sonoma.   It's fairly reliable and I still can run everything I need.  It's a life saver!   

Use OCLP at your own risk!

Question: If you use OCLP to run a newer version of macOS on unsupported hardware, can you enable Advanced Data Protection on the old machine?