Need to update my apps to the newer version but it wants a card on file I don’t have one. I bought an Apple Card with $25. It still will not update my apps.

I’ve had an Apple phone for at least 12 years and it won’t let me update any of my apps unless there’s a credit card on file I don’t have one and they’re all free apps. I’ve never had this happen and all the time I’ve had an Apple phone I’ve got an Apple card for $25 And tried to do it that way well it still will not update my apps what should I do? Took it to the Apple Store no help that’s when we put a credit card on file.

iPhone XR, iOS 16

Posted on Aug 30, 2023 5:15 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 30, 2023 5:37 AM

If you are being asked to enter a payment method, you can try the things in this response Recommended by Apple I need to add credit to download a free a… - Apple Community which presents multiple (albeit what may be be outdated since reference to them in the documentation was removed some years ago) methods supposedly letting you avoid this. Apple's official Support Articles team currently presents multiple statements about requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. 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.


* 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."



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 30, 2023 5:37 AM in response to Allbullcrap

If you are being asked to enter a payment method, you can try the things in this response Recommended by Apple I need to add credit to download a free a… - Apple Community which presents multiple (albeit what may be be outdated since reference to them in the documentation was removed some years ago) methods supposedly letting you avoid this. Apple's official Support Articles team currently presents multiple statements about requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. 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.


* 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."



Aug 30, 2023 6:02 AM in response to Allbullcrap

I’ve had an Apple phone I’ve got an Apple card for $25 And tried to do it that way well it still will not update my apps what should I do?


All you have to do is -> you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment.


See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID

Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)



See also -> What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)



and ⤵️

  • You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
  • If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are only available to you. Find out more about how purchases are billed to your Apple Account balance.
  • Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


If you still need help, get support from Apple directly -> Get Support or call Apple in your region see -> Contact Apple for support and service 


-----

Where to buy a physical Apple gift card: at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller in your region 


See also:  If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card

If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support


Beware of -> About Gift Card Scams -> About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support

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Need to update my apps to the newer version but it wants a card on file I don’t have one. I bought an Apple Card with $25. It still will not update my apps.

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