Related Article: Add a payment method to your Apple ID

I don’t have a payment method

Every time I try to download something it always ask me for a payment method but I don’t have one cause I don’t have a credit card or a debit card

Posted on Sep 16, 2023 6:22 AM

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2 replies

Sep 16, 2023 6:40 AM in response to K3ilyn

You can download free apps, but you may need to have a valid payment method on file, even if the app you want to download is free. 

You can have a credit card / debit card on file and an Apple Account balance.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.

 

Free apps has also In-app pruchase.

See -> Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions

Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions

See also -> Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions

Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple

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If you don't have a credit card or don't want to use a credit card, you can also use your Apple Account balance as payment method.

See -> 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)

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  • 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 


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Where to buy a physical Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card: at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller in your region.

 

See -> How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card

How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card – Apple Support (UK)


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




Sep 16, 2023 7:04 AM in response to K3ilyn

Note that in a previous post it says, "If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method". You do not need to do this, and in fact you couldn't even if you tried. As Apple clearly states, it is automatically your default payment method. From this support article --> How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

"Which payment method is charged?

When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple automatically attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:


1. Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount.



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 methods supposedly letting you avoid this. (They may be be outdated since reference to them in Apple's documentation was removed some years ago.) 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 do not have a required payment type, see if you can be part of a Family Sharing group where the Organizer has the necessary payment type.


* 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."




I don’t have a payment method

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