How to Re-Download Mac OS X Lion from the App Store

So you’ve downloaded Lion, and you’ve installed it on your computer. But when you view the list of purchases in the Mac App Store, you don’t see Lion there? How do you go about getting it back?

What most likely happened in this situation was that it was simply removed from the list by mistake. Don’t worry! There is a simple way to get it back without having to purchase Lion again! These steps also work for any of your downloaded and purchased Apps that you may be having the same issue with.

First, from the Mac App Store, you’ll want to start by clicking on the “Featured” tab at the top. This will take you to the main page of the Mac App Store. On the right-hand side, you’ll see the Quick Links menu. Start by clicking on “Account”. Once you have done that, you’ll have to enter the password for your Apple ID account. This will have to be the same account that was used to purchase Lion in the first place.

The next screen you come to will be an accounts summary page. The first thing you’ll see is your account information (not shown here). Below that will be a summary of your Hidden Purchases. From the example above, you’ll notice that we have one hidden item. To the right of that will be an option to view any hidden purchases.

Once you have clicked that, any and all hidden purchases you have will once again be shown in your purchases screen. For future reference, you’ll notice that you can hide apps shown on this page by hovering your mouse around the area of the shaded “Installed” button. A circled “X” will appear. Clicking the “X” only hides the App, it does not delete it.