Can anyone else not download things without making a payment?

Hi ShatterKarma,

Where are you trying to download Spotify from? This should not be the case as Spotify is a free app that can be downloaded on Mac and iPhone, there are in-app purchases but the app itself is free. Check out the links below.

Spotify download for Mac

Spotify download for iPhone

Let me know if this works!

What happens when you sign in?

Apple has the app store configured so that the downloading of a free app is considered a "purchase." When viewing past purchases free apps even show up in the previous purchases as having cost $0.00. The reason for this pop up could be that a previous purchase failed and they want you to sign in and change your payment method for that purchase so it's not allowing you to continue even with free downloads until a past failed payment has been processed. I'd recommend signing in and changing the payment method even if the app you are trying to download is free, it's still considered a "purchase" to the app store.

Here's some more information on the issue.

Instructions for changing your payment method (you can use this link to change the payment method in settings instead of through the app store, then go back to the app store and try download the free app again)

Let me know if this helps!