Do I need a payment method to download a free app?

karley114 wrote:

what do I do

Either add a payment method or don't buy the item.

noahthegiant wrote:

Why is a payment required for things that allegedly dont cost money as well as the basic operation of the phone that u own? Android doesnt seem to have an issue. In fact many of the same apps perform just fine without a payment method on the account or play store credits which could be obtained by taking surveys for free if one chooses to do so. Thank you for your in depth explanation but it fails to address the inherent unfairness of this whole system. Apple has always milked us for every cent and we shouldnt be forced out of the ecosystem because we dont want to expose our bank account balance to the whims of the appstore. I just want free apps and to upgrade my free apps. Its not a lot to ask because many computer programs are offered free of charge for personal usage. Its a common practise.

This is a user to user forum. No on here can answer a question that begins with “Why”.

However, this subject has been discussed extensively in the thread you just posted to, over 186 times, so if you want to get some insight just read the rest of the thread.

Merari10 wrote:

I can't download anything because it keeps asking me to put in a payment method but I'm not allowed to

Without any more information on what is stopping you from adding a payment method, your best option is to contact Apple directly as we have no access to your account to resolve any issue if it is account related.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

RottenApple4545 wrote:

It’s obnoxious that having a low balance on my payment method means I can’t download free apps. Your policy is terrible for poor people. Pretty rotten🍎

Apple Support Community is set up as an end-user to end-user technical issue support service (i.e., users like you helping other users). The people reading your post are not Apple and your question isn't really a technical one. I am sorry you are discontented but you are saying this to the people who can do nothing about it. Feedback for Apple will likely get more attention if you send it using: Product Feedback - Apple

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.

addisyn226 wrote:

Same have you figured it out

Yep! It has been figured out. In order to use the App Store to download apps, even if they are free, you will need to add a valid payment method.

Wumpshire wrote:

Whew! I almost bought a class set of iPads. Now that Apple does forces payment methods in all downloads I will not be using Apple products in the classroom. Adios!

Classroom iPad are not subject to the same requirements. It seems you were misinformed. For others interested in how iPads for the class room work, you can view more information from this link:

How classes are created—with Apple School Manager, MDM, or by teachers - Apple Support

_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:

Product Feedback - Apple

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.

Charli-123 wrote:

It won’t let me download apps with out a payment method

That is a true statement. You need a valid payment method for your Apple ID to download even free apps.

In rare circumstances you may be able to have an account without an Apple ID, but not if you have any current or former subscriptions or apps that have in-app purchases→Add a payment method to your Apple ID- Apple Support

Here is a one-stop link for billing questions→Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support. You can review your purchase history to see what you were charged for, cancel subscriptions, request refunds and update your payment method.

Why I need a credit card to download my app I no longer have access to cards because of these apps

Apple requires it without providing any explanation. In my opinion only I can come up with a few reasons:

• Many apps have free trials where a card would be needed to process the subscription if you do not cancel. It is your responsibility to cancel a free trial otherwise you will be charged.
• Maybe for region verification. The payment card must match be in the same region of your device. Some users have attempted to change the region of their device to access apps/subscriptions that may not normally be available to them in their current region. Each region has their own App Store and the app/subscriptions may be different.
• Some apps offer in-app purchases. While it is not required to use an in-app purchase, developers hope you will like the free download enough that you will use one of the in-app purchased offered. App are not free to make and it does cost them every year to have them in the App Store. Without any payment information there is no hope for the developer to recoup the costs that they have put into the app.

You do not say why you no longer have access to cards because of the apps, but it is important to note that if you did sign up for a subscription then you are obligated to pay for it. To stop the subscription you would need to cancel it. If you do not like subscriptions, then do not sign up for them. If you don't think you will remember to cancel a free trial 24 hours before it expires, then don't download them.

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:

• You will need a valid payment method to download any app.
• You are not charged to download free apps
• If you choose an in-app purchase or subscription, you will be charged
• If you sign up for a free trial subscription within the app, then you will need to cancel the subscription 24 hours before the free trial ends, otherwise you will be charged.

Do I need a payment method to download free apps?

Appleofknowledge333 wrote:

This issue of not being able to download free apps without submitting my credit card info is going to lead me to dropping apple products if it isn’t fixed. It creates an avenue for hacking.

Using your card to download apps or even make purchases in the App Store does not transmit your card information to the developers of the app. It is much safer than using your card to get gas, at a restaurant, or at a retail store where your card information is transferred. The only way your card would be charged is if you downloaded an app with a free trial and did not cancel 24 hours before it ends, used in-app purchase, or signed up for a subscription.

Developers have to pay to have their apps in the App Store every year and it also costs time and money for them to create the apps for you to download. They offer these deferred payment options in hopes you will like their app enough to support their efforts. Without a payment method, there is no chance that they will be able to recoup their costs. You are not required to use an in-app purchase, but if that option is there you would need a payment method.

If it wants a card then you need a card. Find somebody who has one who will let you use theirs. Get a debit card from a bank. Become a member of a Family Sharing group. Live without that particular app.