Cannot download a free app when my debit card has a low balance.

Does this happen to anyone else? I know my daughter said that it used to happen to her also I will explain. Every month since I have gotten this iPhone, and it is the iPhone 7 Plus. I have my debit card on file and I use it at the beginning of every month my check gets deposited directly onto this debit card. Now Apple doesn’t seem to have a problem taking their money off of it for stupid stuff. They messed me up every month but that’s another subject for another time. What my issue is is that I cannot download free apps in the middle of the month when my debit card reaches a low balance ; pretty much about six dollars. I have called Apple several times about this issue. Today was another phone call and I finally spoke to someone and she finally got it straightened out as far as saying no I don’t owe a balance and just saying that I do have some money on my card still. So she finally transferred me to someone at Apple to finally get this straightened out. I spoke to this guy for maybe two2 seconds and our phone call got disconnected. Do you think he would call back even though they had my phone number heck no! This is so frustrating I cannot stand this phone anymore I want to go back to an android ! I really do . you don’t have to have no stupid credit card to download apps on an android unless it’s a freaking app that you have to pay for. I am so fed up right now I swear I just feel like running this phone over in my Driveway ! please somebody help me with this.

Posted on Feb 16, 2021 12:09 PM

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Posted on Feb 16, 2021 1:24 PM

There isn't anything to help you with, the system is working correctly! Unless you see a NONE option in the payment methods in the details of your iTunes/App Store account you must supply a valid payment method. And when you use your account for both a paid or a free app the system is going to run an authorization hold on the card for a small amount to verify that it works. If your debit card balance is low, your bank is going to deny the authorization hold and your free app will be denied by Apple.


One thing that you could do is buy and redeem a small Apple gift card and just leave that on the account. Then it shouldn't matter if your debit card is low.


No one takes threats about switching to a different brand seriously here. If you don't like Apple, find something that you like better.


M1 Mac mini, macOS 11.2.1; Watch, series 5 GPS/cellular, watchOS 7.3.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 14.4; iPad Air 2, iPadOS 14.4; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14.4; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 14.;  HomePods, audioOS 14.4 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 16, 2021 1:24 PM in response to Patti0327

There isn't anything to help you with, the system is working correctly! Unless you see a NONE option in the payment methods in the details of your iTunes/App Store account you must supply a valid payment method. And when you use your account for both a paid or a free app the system is going to run an authorization hold on the card for a small amount to verify that it works. If your debit card balance is low, your bank is going to deny the authorization hold and your free app will be denied by Apple.


One thing that you could do is buy and redeem a small Apple gift card and just leave that on the account. Then it shouldn't matter if your debit card is low.


No one takes threats about switching to a different brand seriously here. If you don't like Apple, find something that you like better.


M1 Mac mini, macOS 11.2.1; Watch, series 5 GPS/cellular, watchOS 7.3.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 14.4; iPad Air 2, iPadOS 14.4; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14.4; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 14.;  HomePods, audioOS 14.4 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

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Cannot download a free app when my debit card has a low balance.

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