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Default payment method not used when purchasing

I have a gift card balance on my account. Why is the App store charging my credit card instead of using the gift card balance?

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Jan 5, 2023 9:17 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2023 11:04 AM

Raicya wrote:

See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID
Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)
if you want to use your Apple ID balance, you need to set your Apple ID balance as your default payment• .

I cannot find that statement in that document. I believe Apple account balance will always be used first unless it is something which can't be paid for with personal balance.

How App Store and iTunes Store purchases are billed. Click here --> How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

"Which payment method is charged?

When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple automatically attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:


1. Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount.

2. If you don't have Apple ID balance, you don't have enough to cover the full amount, or an item cannot be paid for with Apple ID balance, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method (typically a credit or debit card, but varies according to country). The primary payment method is at the top of the list in Settings on your iPhone. You can control which payment method is at the top of the list.

3. If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. If none of them can be charged, Apple may try again.


VinhCao: You may wish to refer to this document What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

and also note from: How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support


Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple Account balance

If you're in a Family Sharing group, purchases that you make are charged to your personal Apple Account balance. If you don't have enough Apple Account balance to pay for the purchase, the remainder is charged to the family organizer if purchase sharing is turned on.

You can’t use your Apple Account balance to buy gifts or gift cards.

Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple Account balance.



2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 5, 2023 11:04 AM in response to Raicya

Raicya wrote:

See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID
Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)
if you want to use your Apple ID balance, you need to set your Apple ID balance as your default payment• .

I cannot find that statement in that document. I believe Apple account balance will always be used first unless it is something which can't be paid for with personal balance.

How App Store and iTunes Store purchases are billed. Click here --> How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

"Which payment method is charged?

When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple automatically attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:


1. Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount.

2. If you don't have Apple ID balance, you don't have enough to cover the full amount, or an item cannot be paid for with Apple ID balance, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method (typically a credit or debit card, but varies according to country). The primary payment method is at the top of the list in Settings on your iPhone. You can control which payment method is at the top of the list.

3. If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. If none of them can be charged, Apple may try again.


VinhCao: You may wish to refer to this document What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

and also note from: How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support


Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple Account balance

If you're in a Family Sharing group, purchases that you make are charged to your personal Apple Account balance. If you don't have enough Apple Account balance to pay for the purchase, the remainder is charged to the family organizer if purchase sharing is turned on.

You can’t use your Apple Account balance to buy gifts or gift cards.

Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple Account balance.



Jan 5, 2023 10:03 AM in response to VinhCao

See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID

Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

  • if you want to use your Apple ID balance, you need to set your Apple ID balance as your default payment.

 

If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple ID balance, It would take about 1 to 3 business days in order to process.

If you're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.

 


Default payment method not used when purchasing

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