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

I put my card in and it tells me I already have this card on file so I am very confused because I need to get this one app to pay my bills and it will not let me. I will not let me get the app but tells me I have that card on file.

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.

ShawnM447 wrote:

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.

You should be able to add an iTunes gift card to the account.

This is something NEW with Apple because I have been using Apple products for a minute now and I’ve NEVER had to input a payment method in order to download an App. Not any App! Not to mention that I KNOW 💯 that my card and my card info is GOOD. My card is active, valid and verifiable. My account with my financial institution is in “OVERLY GOOD” Status and my account with my financial institution, the account my card is attached to, is in the + by +1,000’s of dollars so it’s DEFINITELY NOT MY CARD, MY ACCOUNT or MY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION and I’ve contacted them and they have validated and verified EVERYTHING IS GOOD WITH BOTH MY CARD AND MY ACCOUNT! This is 💯 AN APPLE PROBLEM

Why can't I download anything. It keeps asking for a verification for my billing methods. I've put in three different cards with no luck. Keep in mind I'm trying to download a free app. No matter what I do it doesn't work, saying that my cards declined. Then to see I'm getting charged $10 for a free app.

I’m tryna download this app for work it’s a free app but it’s not allowing me

to download the app bc it wants a payment method I’m not ok to have a payment method on my App Store how can I get it to download THIS FREE APP WOTH OUT PAYMENT

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

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.

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

Archangelshana wrote:

I cannot download any free apps and I don't use a credit card, so how can I get a free antivirus app downloaded please? Thank you kindly.

You don't need a free antivirus app to protect your device. The system is already locked on a read only partition that even you do not have access to. Any such app is just a scam. What do you think they would gain by offering you a free app that claims to protect your device? You can do a simple search here by using the "Search" tab on the top of this page and enter "Anti-Virus". You will see that it is not just my opinion.

dzulani wrote:

I hi I want download without payment

The developers of the apps also want you to try out there apps without charging you, but they do offer additional purchases so they can stay in business if you do find their work useful. Without a payment method there is no chance that they will be able to have any income. It costs developers each year to have the apps in the store and also time and money to create and continue to update them. You are not required to use the additional purchases, but may be required to have a payment method on file in case you do.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

Without a payment method there is no chance that they will be able to have any income.

Apple could just use personal balance for this. However, personal balance is not a guaranteed method of payment, particularly if a user does not keep it topped up. Apple has its own reasons, which it doesn't outline for us, but I could see that having an open-ended payment method may be more desirable if there is something such as an on-going subscription. I don't know if this is a something a developer can require for an app in the store. I know I have apps with in-app options (I don't use any) and I downloaded those with no payment method. This situation may be more complicated with both Apple and developers having separate requirements as I posted a while back.

Mariasav14 wrote:

I’m trying to download app and it asking me for payment method and I don’t have a credit card

Do you have a debit card? Do you have a friend with one? Can you join a Family Sharing group where you don't need your own card?

Qboi_ wrote:

This is honestly one the stupidest features

it’s free but u can’t get it unless you put your card in ??

Most apps are free to download with an option to purchase additional items. Developers have to pay each year to have the apps in the store and it also cost them time and money to develop and continue to update them. Without a way for them to recoup their expenses, there would be no reason why anyone would have their apps in the store. Would you?

heinminthu wrote:

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.

Two statements that are incorrect as stand-alone comments.

1) I use the app store without a payment method. I simply do not download apps that require one be present. As I said earlier, if you are being told you need one then you need one, but again, I never have been told I need one.

2) Apple nowhere says why a payment method is required. Your second statement is speculation.