[EU] Seemingly conflicting subscriptions of Apple One and iCloud storage, troubles with authenticating CC for storage plan purchase

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Level 1

14 points

[EU] Seemingly conflicting subscriptions of Apple One and iCloud storage, troubles with authenticating CC for storage plan purchase

I've been having problems with my iCloud storage subscription since I was first charged for Apple One.

I normally subscribe to a 200GB iCloud storage. With Apple One I should be enjoying a cumulative amount of 400GB of storage.

After I was first charged for Apple One, my iCloud plan automatically cancelled and I had to start subscribing to it again.

Earlier today (Jan 9th) I was charged for both subscriptions, but my total storage was reduced to 200GB (from Apple One) - the regular iCloud plan was not activated and my storage is now full.

I tried re-subscribing to the plan, but there is an issue with confirming authentication of the credit card. I've honestly never seen any request like that before, idk - maybe it's some new legal requirement in the EU, that's what the message says anyway. I've tried two paths and they both are plagued with bugs:

1) when I try to purchase the plan on iPhone, I am being asked to authenticate my CC. There's a screen saying "contacting the card issuer" and then on the same page I should click "Continue" AFTER I've authenticated the card in my 3rd party banking app. The problem is if I do that, the screen where I am supposed to click "Continue" is no longer there, it disappears as soon as I go to the banking app.

2) when I use Mac to purchase the plan, and my iPhone separately to authenticate the card in the banking app, I am able to click "Continue" on Mac, but then System Preferences freeze and I have to hard reset the computer to close it.

In both cases my banking app informs me about successful authentication of the card, however, so far - and I've done this many times now, my account hasn't been charged (yet...).

To summarise, I am left with full, unexpandable iCloud storage and a freezing System Preferences on my Mac.

Are these known issues?

Is there a known workaround?

Is my assumption that Apple One interferes with iCloud storage plan correct?

Thanks!

Posted on Jan 9, 2021 6:35 AM

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Answer 1

Set2set2

Level 1

46 points

Jan 9, 2021 7:31 AM in response to Kuba986

I cannot answer about the credit card and its verification or why the freeze.

But, I recently started the Apple One. From what I read, I don’t think it will accumulate/add to your existing storage subscription. Maybe the system became confused when you tried to add to the Apple One?

See Apple One storage options https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211784

From my own hard earned mess, I learned it’s best not to rapid fire try to get a card transaction to work. Especially over a weekend or holiday.

I did make sure to contact Apple Support and my credit card contacts to let them know I experienced a problem. At least a record so my card dies not get blocked or overcharged.

in my case, it took three days past the weekend for the transactions to resolve.

Lesson learned after but very frustrating during.

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Answer 2

Kuba986 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 9, 2021 10:31 AM in response to Set2set2

That is not the case. I am positive about that the storages accumulate. I’ve had it working like that for the past months, and while subscribing to Apple One one is informed about the cumulative storage (if one is already subscribed to iCloud plan).

I would gladly have Apple One only, but in Europe it comes in two sizes only: 50GB for individual and 200GB for family.

For now I can only wish Apple expands storage options in Apple One to at least 1TB.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,317 points

Jan 9, 2021 10:41 AM in response to Kuba986

Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.

If you want to, you can send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner. Pick the closest topic you can find.

iCloud Feedback

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Answer 4

Kuba986 Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 9, 2021 10:52 AM in response to Eric Root

So far I’ve “Reported an issue” regarding the iCloud subscription and instead of activating my storage they understood that I wanted a refund 🤦🏼‍♂️😂, but I’ve linked this very discussion as a reference, so who knows, maybe somebody will look into it.

I sure will use the reporting option you suggested. Thanks!

I intend to call Apple Support, but they pick up only during business hours on weekdays ☹️

As one can imagine, having storage cut by half and being left with no option of uploading a single kB when the Support is unavailable and there’s no troubleshooting can be frustrating.

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