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
It won’t let me download anything with out me having a payment method and I never had one before what do I do
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.
Vaaaaleeee wrote:
I can’t download any app without asking for a payment
As you would know if you read almost any part of the thread you posted to, there are several reasons that you may need a payment method for a free app:
You can try to remove any payment methods on your account→If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support and If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support
hanan1037 wrote:
help
I think every aspect of the question has been answered fully and cannot imagine any other area where help would be needed in resolving this issue. There are 9 pages of solutions and once they have been read, I suspect the answer will be found.
This has been going on with me for a while I’m using Apple Pay but it’s not working it did say a app owes 17 dollars I didn’t know what app so I deleted all apps I don’t need and it is still saying that so how did u fix it?
DonkeyEars417 wrote:
I still don’t trust letting Apple know what my credit card is. Their system could be hacked at any time, leaving all their users (that use the App Store) and keep their wallet on their phones, highly vulnerable to compromise.
Well, actually, Apple has never been hacked. But the Apple accounts of individuals who don’t have strong passwords and don’t use 2 factor authentication have been hacked; that is their fault however. And to make it less likely Apple now requires all Apple IDs to have 2 factor authentication.
The irony is many banks have been hacked, and many, many sites that accept credit and debit cards have been hacked. And almost all store chains that accept credit cards have been hacked. So if you are truly concerned about a card being compromised you should NEVER buy anything from any website, and only pay cash in stores.
Further irony, using the Apple Wallet is actually safer than using a credit card in a store or online, because the Wallet does not send your card number to the merchant; instead it sends an encrypted code to the merchant who then forwards that code to the card issuer, so the merchant doesn’t know your credit card number to be hacked.
Thus, your logic is completely inverted. Using a card in person or online has a much greater chance of it being hacked or compromised than using it with the Apple Wallet or your Apple ID.
DonkeyEars417 wrote:
I still don’t trust letting Apple know what my credit card is. Their system could be hacked at any time, leaving all their users (that use the App Store) and keep their wallet on their phones, highly vulnerable to compromise.
You don't have to give Apple your Credit Card number, you just won't be able to use the App Store. You would not see any apps in the App Store if the developers had no way of being paid for the costs and time it takes them to make those apps. By using in-app purchases and free trials, it gives you a way to see if there is any value to the apps and if you do, then those options are there for the developer to continue providing content and update the app.
sheana1985 wrote:
How come it says that I have to enter payment information to download apps now it didn’t used to say that
Things change.
Can someone help me? I’m getting so frustrated.
Put in a valid payment method and it should work fine.
Dredot31 wrote:
I think that we don’t need to owe Apple anything
You don’t owe Apple anything if you don’t buy anything from Apple. But you have to abide by Apple’s business practices if you want to use any Apple services.
Contact Apple and they will let you know what the issue is. We have no way of knowing any problem with your account that is preventing you from downloading an app when you have already added a payment method.
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.
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."
iluvalex wrote:
when i try to download something i have to put in a payment method but when i do it says in red “this card is already on your account” and it won’t let me use it to download anything so i tried to use a different card and it’s the same issue. wtf is goin on i js want to download games👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 ts pissin me off 😒 AND THEY ARE BOTH VISA DEBIT
You just need to contact Apple directly. None of us are able to determine if anything is wrong with your account or why your payment method is not working. Apple has all that information and will be able to assist.
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.
Vainikolo wrote:
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW PHONE THINKING THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED BUT NO MTF ITS DOING THE SAM F THING AS BEFORE ASKING FOR MY BILLING INFO FOR A FREE F APP. Good lord I’m abt to change to a different brand phone
The type of phone you have makes no difference, when all you needed to do was add a valid payment method.
If you can’t download or update apps - Apple Support
Developers do not spend money every year to make their apps available to you, as well as spend time and money to create the app, without some means to recoup their costs. You will find that most apps will either have a free-trial or in-app purchases. These apps do not cost anything to download, but the intent of the developer is that you will find their apps useful enough that you will also use one of these methods to support their efforts. Without a payment option, there is no chance of that happening.
Do I need a payment method to download a free app?
