What happens to Hipstamatic GoodPaks when they’re no longer available?
Like many of you, I buy the Hipstamatic HipstaPaks and GoodPaks as soon as they’re available. I cuss when I can’t get in early because the servers are swamped. I feel that rush of adrenaline like I just scored big when I can download the new lenses and films and post photos before anyone else.
Once you purchase a Hipstamatic Pak, it’s yours to use for the life of the app. Most of the time, updating the app goes without a hitch. Everything is still there as it was, except for the shiny new Hipsta update. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to use Hipstamatic’s “Restore Purchase” feature, either as a result of a reinstall, an update gone awry or some other reason. HipstaPaks — those lens and film sets that are a permanent part of the Hipstamatic experience — are easy. Simply restore purchases and shoot away. But what about the limited availability of the new GoodPaks? What happens to them once they are no longer available in the HipstaMart?
GoodPaks are a new type of lens and filter set introduced with the Hipstamatic 180 update. Among other differences, they are only available to purchase for a limited time.
The films and lenses in the GoodPaks will still work after they are no longer available in the HipstaMart (I guess at that point they have become electronic collector’s items). After they’re pulled from the HipstaMart, you’ll still be able to shoot with the Melodie lens and the Dali DreamCanvas film.
But what about downloading and restoring purchases that have passed their sale dates and are no longer available? I contacted Synthetic today to ask about this. From Ryan Dorshurst himself, “Looks like you will be able to restore lenses that are no longer in the hipstamart.”
I don’t recommend capriciously deleting and reinstalling apps on the iPhone, but it’s nice to know that the limited-availability Hipstamatic purchases are safe.
We’ve got a lot more Hipstamatic news throughout Life In LoFi, including all the latest on updates and HipstaPaks. Check out all the news by clicking here.
=M=
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Marty is a self-employed graphic designer in the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex. He is an avid Rangers baseball, Chicago Cubs, Packers and Highbury Arsenal fan. In addition to capturing random moments with whatever camera is close by (usually his iPhone), his other interests include coffee, film, music, and traveling in seats 5E and 5F with his fiancé.
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This is an issue I have dealt with recently. I won't go into full disclosure but I will say that some in-app purchases are difficult if not impossible to get back if you upgrade to a new phone. I've talked to several developers and the lovely folks at apple tech support and I've been able to retrieve most of my things…it hasn't been easy. I'm so glad we have great developers like Synthetic in our midst. I'm actually waiting for an e-mail as I type about transferring some previously purchased items. I'll let you know how that unfolds. According to app support, I may have to wait until after the holidays.
Oh! One particular company was really great and unlocked some in-apps just to ease the pain of my loss. I am forever grateful.
I’m new to Hipstamatic and I’d really like to get the paks that have previously been available (whatever they may be). Does anyone know if this is possible?
Hi, Richard,
Once the GoodPaks are gone, they are gone unless Synthetic decide to make them available again for a limited time (they've mentioned this to me).
You should be able to buy the limited-edition Dali Museum GoodPak for another few days. The only GoodPak that is no longer available is the Levi's GoodPak with the excellent Melodie lens.
=M=
I can't get my levi's good pack back. I had to restore my phone and when I went to restore what I bought everything restored but the levi's one… Do you know how to get it back?
Hi, Brandan,
I've emailed Synthetic. I'll let you know what they say when I hear back.
If anyone else has had experience restoring or not restoring the Levi's Goodpak, let us know in the comments below.
=M=
Hello.
I've been using Hipstamatic for several months now, and I install the updates as soon as they are available, though I've only read about the Levi's goodpak today. Did i miss it somehow? Was it not available outside of the US? I live in Canada, and didnt see anything about it in the update notes for 185. I've read a couple other comments where people in the UK couldnt see it, but could not find any confirmation…
I hope they rerelease the melodie lens at some point in the future. I'm sad for now : (
The Levi's GoodPak was only available for a short time over the holidays. It should have been available globally as far as I know. It became unavailable January 3rd, 2011, I think. Hipstamatic have hinted that some of the discontinued GoodPaks may become available again at some point in the future — and the Melodie lens is certainly an excellent candidate for that.
I'll let you know here on the blog if I hear anything about this. You never know.
=M=
Hi
The sxsw and mac and milk free paks didn't restore. Any idea why?
From what I understand about Hipstamatic's Restore, they *should* come back when you Restore in app. Have you posted this to Hipstamatic's Facebook page? Either Hipstamatic or other users can probably help. Hipstamatic does a decent job of monitoring their Facebook page.
There might be others who have this issue and who have resolved it. Or, it may alert Hipstamatic to a problem on their end.
https://www.facebook.com/hipstamatic
Keep us posted here. Thanks!
=M=
Just to let you know the problem's solved! I found the answer here: http://getsatisfaction.com/synthetic and it was:
"FreePak downloads are attached to your Hipstaccount. Make sure you login to your Hipstaccount in the app before you attempt to restore purchases, otherwise you won't be able to get any FreePaks you previously downloaded.
To login to your Hipstaccount, open up the app, flip it over to the camera front, then tap the shopping cart icon. Then tap the "my account" button (in the upper left), and enter in the same login you used when you first setup your Hipstaccount. After successfully logging in try restoring purchases again to get the SXSW FreePak."
Ok, thanks, I'll do that!
I would love to get my hands in the goodpaks here in Australia. I NEED THEM!