Apple Issues Refunds for "Premature" Purchases of GameStore App - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Issues Refunds for "Premature" Purchases of GameStore App

Earlier this week, an app called GameStore was accidentally made available for purchase on the App Store. The app, which appeared to be a test or development app of some sort, offered several racing-themed in-app purchases but without any actual functionality. The app was quickly removed from the store, and now Apple is issuing refunds to users who purchased the app.

gamestore products nitrous1
We received this email from iTunes Support, claiming that the GameStore app was "made available for sale prematurely."

You recently purchase the GameStore app. The app was made available for sale prematurely. We apologize for the problem and have refunded the purchase amount back to your account. These funds will be applied to your original payment method within 5 business days.

Sincerely,
iTunes Store Customer Support

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during the term, ...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Tuesday July 21, 2026 6:22 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...

Top Rated Comments

190 months ago
You'd think they would proofread it first.


You recently purchase the GameStore app.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghostface147 Avatar
190 months ago
Why did anyone buy it at all? Do people buy apps just to have them?

That is correct.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
I think Arn should validate the email. I think it is fake. No way Apple sends an email with typos and poor grammar.
I think a way that you could validate the email is to look at who Apple addressed it to.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenc Avatar
190 months ago
Only on MacRumours could a typo in an email generate such heated debate.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
190 months ago
Once upon a time, Apple made a typo.

There were no survivors.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KnightWRX Avatar
190 months ago
We received this email from iTunes Support, claiming that the GameStore app was "made available for sale prematurely."

From: iTunes Store Support
Subject: Your purchase of the GameStore app
Date: January 4, 2012 5:29:49 PM MST
To: tips@macrumors.com

Dear Arnold,

You recently purchase the GameStore app. The app was made available for sale prematurely. We apologize for the problem and have refunded the purchase amount back to your account. These funds will be applied to your original payment method within 5 business days.

Sincerely,
iTunes Store Customer Support
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/
Anyone else surprised Apple would have such poor grammar ? :eek:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)