So I want to download an app, but it won’t let me because supposedly I need to add a payment method. I do not have a credit card or anything like that so I can’t, What do I do?? I’ve tried looking it up on google but nothing works.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 11 Pro Max
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.:
Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support
"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file."
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."
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.:
Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support
"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file."
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."
On the App Store, even if you're trying to download a free app, Apple requires you to have a payment method on file for your Apple ID. This is mainly for verification purposes and to ensure that you're a legitimate user. However, you can still proceed without adding a credit card by following these steps:
1. Choose "None" as the Payment Method:
Apple allows you to select "None" as a payment method when setting up your Apple ID. Here's how you can do it:
- Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your name at the top.
- Tap on "Payment & Shipping."
- Tap on "Add Payment Method."
- Choose "None" as the payment method.
2. Use iTunes on a Computer:
Another way to set up your Apple ID without adding a payment method is by using iTunes on a computer. Here's how:
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Sign in with your Apple ID or create a new one.
- Try to download a free app from the iTunes Store.
- When prompted to add a payment method, choose "None."
3. Use an Existing Apple ID:
If you've already created an Apple ID without a payment method, you can try using that Apple ID to download the app.
4. Contact Apple Support:
If you've tried the above steps and are still having trouble, you might want to contact Apple Support for assistance. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and guide you through the process.
Remember that Apple's policies and procedures can change, so the steps mentioned here might vary slightly based on your device's iOS version and your location. Additionally, make sure you're following legitimate sources for information and support to avoid scams.
And what did Apple say when you contacted them?
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
Since you did not provide any information about what Apple has said I can only guess that you did not contact them. That would be the first thing I would do. When users contact Apple, they realize that it was a purchase that they made and they also had to double click the side button to authorize the purchase. After that we don't hear from them again. You are not being charged to download a free app, you are being charged for a purchase made, but never paid for. You will not be able to make any other downloads until that is paid, even if the app that you now want to download is free.
I download apps and I do not have a payment method on my account. The situation is more complex than a simple statement that you must always have a payment method.
Apple's official support articles present multiple statements* about requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. You do not always have to have one, but if you are encountering one of those situations then based on the documents I suspect 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. Also check this resource --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support
* Ref.:
Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support
"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file."
If you can’t download or update apps - 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."
User12_34 wrote:
I’ve never had this problem until just then. The app is free. I tried adding my card but the red writing next to the card said (Apple Pay) and (failed) I have no idea what this means. I don’t have any money in my account at the moment, is that the problem? I’ve also seen people say to pick the “none” option but there is no “none” option.
The card that you add to Apple Pay does need to be valid with money in your account if it is a debit card. To verify the payment method Apple will attempt to do a small dollar amount charge that will just show as pending. This pending charge will go away after a short time and never be processed to actually deduct the charge from your account.
Some cards need to have the bank the card is issued from activate it for use with Apple Pay. You will need to contact the bank to verify that it is set up for use with Apple Pay.
If you receive a message that a valid payment method is required, you will need to add a card and "None" will not be an option.
You will need to contact Apple directly. You will not be charged to download a free app. If you had a previous subscription that you did not cancel, you will be charged for that subscription. The subscription does not cancel by itself simply by removing the app or the payment method used. Since we have no access to your account information, contacting Apple is the only way to resolve it. You will not be able to download any apps until the issue is resolved.
_ngie-Harrell wrote:
You should come up with a app that will let you download a free app only. For all of us that don’t have a working card
“You” in the context of your post just means other users in this user-to-user forum. Apple doesn't review these user-to-user forums for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:
If you meet all of the requirements you can have an account requiring no credit or debit cards. Creating an iTunes account without a credit card.
But that means you cannot ever have a subscription or an app that has in-app purchases.
Dredot31 wrote:
I think that we don’t need to owe Apple anything
You won't need to own Apple anything as long as you do not have a subscription or make an in-app purchase. There is no charge to download a free app. That does not change the fact that you will still need to have a valid payment method on file to download apps, even if they are free to download. You will find many of the apps that are free to download also contain in-app purchases and if you do make one of those purchases, then the payment method will be charged.
To summarize and make it perfectly clear:
Legorj2353 wrote:
I can’t get my original apps back on my phone because I need a payment method. What should I do? How do I go around this without using the payment method? Can you help me please The apps I’m trying to get back on my phone are free. Shouldn’t have to pay for them. It is wrong it messed up.
You will want to contact Apple directly to make sure you do not have any charges pending. This can occur if a subscription renews and the payment method is declined. You will not be able to update or download apps until that issue is resolved. You are not charged to get the apps back on your phone, but will be required to pay any amount due first.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
You will see that a payment method may be required even if you do not owe money. Again, you will not be charged to get your apps back that you already paid for. The solution in this case is to provide a valid payment method.
To find out how to remove a payment method, and what to do if you can't remove your last payment method or use no payment method with your Apple ID, read this article ➔ Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support
Unexpired subscriptions and Family Sharing organizers must always have a payment method present. To edit the cards used for those you may need to first add the new card and move it to the top payment method position before removing the old card (see: If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support ).
I mentioned before I just checked off none when it asked for a payment method and just filled out the rest of the information then I clicked get again then install again and was able to download my free app on my iPad. I don't know if it will work for everybody depending on your version. Another commenter gave various suggestions on how to get around not using a paying method when downloading free apps on this topic above. Just find his/her post and you can try to follow their instructions if what if what I suggested doesn't work.
Everything you can do is listed here→If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support. And the answer isn’t much. A payment method is required if you ever have an app with a subscription or in-app purchasing.
Gracieg_1944 wrote:
Apple does now require a payment method on the account in order to download a free app.
If you don't want the money taken from your debit/credit card, you can always purchase an apple gift card and apply it to the apple ID acct. But remember once you're out of store credits it will then take from the credit/debit card on the acct.
Using a gift card may or may not work. Apple can require a valid payment method (dependent on region) for verification purposes. It may be charged a small amount to verify it but this will be automatically refunded.
sheana1985 wrote:
How come it says that I have to enter payment information to download apps now it didn’t used to say that and I didn’t have to put in any information I need help. Can someone help me? I’m getting so frustrated.
I believe that has been answered many times in the 11 pages seen here. If it is asking for a payment method, then you will have to add one. Most apps contain in-app purchases or free trials that will require a payment method even if you choose not to use one. You will not be charged to download a free app, but if you owe money from a previous purchase, you will need to pay for that first before you are allowed to download any apps even if they are free. You can view your purchase history here:
Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support
There is also a support article specifically about not being able to download apps and you will have to pay particular attention to step 2.
If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
ellll_ wrote:
i can’t download anything on app store until i add a payment which i don’t have. what do i do?
Get an Apple gift card.
How to download apps without payment method?
