i have my subscriptions on auto pay, why is my payment on file saying failed? when i try to download a FREE app

my subscriptions are active and are being drawn automatically every month, i just update my software and now its saying i need to verify my account & my payment. my payment is saying (FAILED) .. its not expired & its the same one that I've been using for my subscriptions. i try to download a FREE app (facebook) and it keep taking me back to this over & over.


iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on Jun 8, 2023 10:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 8, 2023 10:46 AM

If you are being asked to enter a payment method, Apple has multiple criteria* requiring the presence of a payment method, even for free items. Since you may be encountering one of those situations, you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue downloading. Read the support article Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support about how to do that. The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. This next article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support .


If you have already entered a payment method, use the first link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution.


* Ref.:

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

- "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."

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

- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.

- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

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



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 8, 2023 10:46 AM in response to kassandra1996

If you are being asked to enter a payment method, Apple has multiple criteria* requiring the presence of a payment method, even for free items. Since you may be encountering one of those situations, you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue downloading. Read the support article Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support about how to do that. The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. This next article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support .


If you have already entered a payment method, use the first link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution.


* Ref.:

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

- "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."

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

- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.

- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

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



Jun 8, 2023 10:46 AM in response to kassandra1996

Read this document about how to view your current payment types and add Apple ID payment methods on an Apple mobile device, a Mac, or a PC --> Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support

If an item appears in red then it is no longer working and you either need to replace it or get it working again.


Check this resource about what to do if your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store. Click here --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

- Apple is checking with your financial institution if the payment method is valid and receiving a negative response. Make sure the name and address are entered exactly as it appears on your financial institution bills and that the 3 digit CVV is correct. Check with your financial institution about the status of your card.

- Make sure your payment method is up to date or to try a different one ( If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support ).

- Make sure this is one of the payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID ( Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support ) A solution may be to use a method from the same country as the store you are using, but Apple no longer states either way if this is a requirement (it used to say, "Make sure that the billing address for your payment method matches the billing address for your Apple ID" but has now downsized this to "You might need to ask your financial institution to allow international purchases on your debit or credit card." in: If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support .

・Unfortunately the list is somewhat general and does not list individual brands of cards (I guess there are too many and are constantly changing).

・Also read any footnotes in the document.

・Finally, note that the document only says which methods _are_ acceptable. Apparently certain types (usually a credit or debit card) _must_ also be present under certain situations such as when a subscription is involved.


If you still have problems, contact official Apple Support. Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


or:


See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world, in this article --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support


If you're in India, click on this link to read an April 2022 notice 'About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India' --> About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India - Apple Support


Additional verification that may be required when making purchases in Europe --> About billing and purchases in Europe - Apple Support


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i have my subscriptions on auto pay, why is my payment on file saying failed? when i try to download a FREE app

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