Need valid credit card for free apps, why?

Maybe being expired triggered a message to update. I really have no idea.
I put my credit card info into itunes to start my account, then immediately changed the payment method to None. On the rare occasion I do buy something from iTS, I put the credit card back in, buy the item, then go back to no credit card on file.

At a guess it is to establish proof of residency and/or identity. Some countries (Canada?) have laws prohibiting the anonymous online purchase of software and copyright laws often prevent cross terratorial sales so, for example, here in the UK I cannot purchase directly from the US iTunes Music Store even though my UK credit card will let me purchase other goods & services from the States.

tt2

If you only want the free iPhone apps, take a look here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

Read the steps carefully as the order in which you follow them is apparently critical. This seems to come and go, or only apply to App Stores in specific countries, so you may not see the option for "None" when asked for a payment type.

Note that this only applies to the App Store; you will not be able to get any of the free content in the iTunes Store without entering in some sort of payment method (credit card, prepaid iTunes card, gift certificate, etc.) And you may have to start with a new Apple ID; one already in existence sometimes doesn't work.

Regards.

Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

Need valid credit card for free apps, why?.

You don't. But you cannot have an expired credit card as a payment option, even if you are not using that as payment. iTune sis simply telling you that your account info is not correct.
If your credit card has expired, update your iTunes account info and set the payment otpion to None as Katrina noted.

Dave, if they create another itunes account just for free apps, then they will have to deal with forever remembering the credentials for 2 store accounts.
I think that would be confusing, in the long run.
But you're right, they wouldn't have to give any credit card info to do it!

Katrina S. wrote:
Dave, if they create another itunes account just for free apps, then they will have to deal with forever remembering the credentials for 2 store accounts.
I think that would be confusing, in the long run.

I agree. But if the existing account refuses to allow the "none" option - I'm not clear on whether that is indeed the case or whether it's just not been tried - and the OP doesn't want to provide a new credit card, creating a new account may be the only option.

Yeah, I'm thinking they haven't tried the option for "None".
I'd be interested to know if the trigger for an expired card makes that option disappear.

My credit card expired so now I can't download free apps.

Have you tried selecting None as a payment option?

Makes no sense too me.

Since the current card you have entered has expired, you cannot leave that info in your account because it is not valid.

I am having a similar problem with a card that reached its limit. I have 14 free updates due me on apps I've already paid for but I cannot have them because my card is maxed. I'd like to know how that is legal. iTunes is keeping me from making use of something I've already paid for.