I just want to know why I can't make purchases with my Apple ID

My only question is I want to be able to buy things with my card

Posted on Apr 23, 2023 10:05 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 23, 2023 10:10 AM

You can have a credit card / debit card on file and an Apple Account balance.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.

Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


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 card, you need to set your card as your default payment.


See also -> Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple Account 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.

 

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 23, 2023 10:10 AM in response to stephe178

You can have a credit card / debit card on file and an Apple Account balance.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.

Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


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 card, you need to set your card as your default payment.


See also -> Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple Account 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.

 

Apr 23, 2023 7:31 PM in response to stephe178

There could be many reasons why you can't make purchases. Knowing what you are trying to do, and in particular, any error messages, would help us greatly in helping you.


As for payment methods, read this document --> 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. By default, Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount. You do not get to choose this method or not choose it. It is automatically used except in a few instances where you have to use another payment method, or you do not have enough money to pay for the item entirely using this way.


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.


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I just want to know why I can't make purchases with my Apple ID

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