mas-cli / mas-cli/mas

Feature Request: Add a Hint to Use `purchase` When `install` Fails

Open
#1,317 1 comment 0 reactions 1 assignee View on GitHub

@rgoldberg is already working on this.

Since Sep 7, 2026.

feature output
Dominant language
Swift
Stars
12.4k
Forks
299
Avg merge
1d 2h
Merged PRs (30d)
1

Description

Problem(s) addressed

I know from Homebrew that I have to use brew install for a new app. With mas, however, I have to use mas get or mas purchase for an app I haven't acquired before.

When I try to install an app that I haven't acquired before, I get this error:

mas install 6758355178
Error: No downloads initiated for ADAM ID 6758355178

The App Store then shows this message:

Für diesen Apple Account stehen keine Artikel zum erneuten Laden zur. Dieser Artikel kann mit diesem Apple Account nicht erneut geladen werden, da er von einem:einer anderen Benutzer:in gekauft oder zurückerstattet oder storniert wurde.

Translated:

There are no items available to redownload for this Apple Account. This item cannot be redownloaded with this Apple Account because it was purchased by a different user, or it has been refunded or cancelled.

I eventually found out that the solution is to use mas purchase.

I keep running into this because my first instinct is always to use install instead of purchase. A small hint in the error message would be very helpful.

Proposed solution(s)

If mas install fails with this error, add a hint suggesting mas purchase:

mas install 6758355178
Error: No downloads initiated for ADAM ID 6758355178
Hint: Maybe you haven't acquired this app before? Try instead: 
mas purchase 6758355178

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Assessment

This issue has not been assessed yet.

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.