How to install apps without a payment method

Apple charges me $5.99 a month and when I don’t have the money in my account it won’t charge me and then I can’t download apps. Whenever I try it says I need to update my information (card/payment info). Even though I now have the money it won’t let me use my card. How do i fix it?

I need to update my phone and download free apps I have no credit card or payment method

Log in with your Apple 🆔 at this link , complete all your iCloud info and in payment select NONE then log out from AppStore and reboot your iPhone then you can download free apps without any payment methods

https://appleid.apple.com

How do I add an app that is free it says I need to download a credit card

No cards are working ehhhh I tried 6 different cards

This singular issue made me decide this is my last iphone. Actively downloading all content from the cloud. I know I am only one person but I am sick of these corporations preying on their customers. This features force their customers to be in a financial relationship with Apple against their will. I should be able to own a phone, I paid over a $1k for without being forced to use it solely for capitalism. I have had emergencies, where I need to download an app and ended up stranded because I cant download a free app. With money in my account. I hope apple fails soon.

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

You need to add a payment method to your Apple ID, see -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID

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

• If you want to change your card, you need to add first the new card, then remove the old card.
• or if you want to use your Apple Account balance, you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment.

See also -> Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your ban

Mac Jim ID wrote:

Ozzie1910 wrote:

Log in with your Apple 🆔 at this link , complete all your iCloud info and in payment select NONE then log out from AppStore and reboot your iPhone then you can download free apps without any payment methods

https://appleid.apple.com

Most people do not have that option, which is why they are met with the message to add a payment method. Apple does not provide guidance on who is allowed to use the App Store without a payment method, but if you have received that message, then there is no workaround and you will need to add one. Apple even updated their Support Document about downloading apps saying that a payment method might be required even to download free apps.

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

I have to say, I am pretty much the only person who posts here who has declared not needing to enter a payment method. ;-) I never have. Maybe if your account is old enough then you get grandfathered into not needing one?

Can someone help me too?? It's charging me to download apps and I js subscribed to Snapchat for 3 month, now I can't download anything

Sexy59Capricorn wrote:

How can I disregard in add payment on my iPhone 14?

it won’t let me download any free apps without asking for a payment method!!!

Please read the information provided in this post. If you receive a message to add a payment method, you will not be able to disregard it and will be required to add one even for apps that are free to download. Just because they are free to download, the app may have other options such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, or free trials that will need that payment method if you choose to use one of those.

Ozzie1910 wrote:

Log in with your Apple 🆔 at this link , complete all your iCloud info and in payment select NONE then log out from AppStore and reboot your iPhone then you can download free apps without any payment methods

https://appleid.apple.com

Most people do not have that option, which is why they are met with the message to add a payment method. Apple does not provide guidance on who is allowed to use the App Store without a payment method, but if you have received that message, then there is no workaround and you will need to add one. Apple even updated their Support Document about downloading apps saying that a payment method might be required even to download free apps.

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

brenbers wrote:

Then why can’t I download UNLESS I have money? It won’t let me do anything it keeps canceling my payment because i don’t have 6.99 on my card, I’m stuck and can’t do anything I’m just confused, why is it forcing me to pay the money if it’s free?

Because you have a previous purchase/subscription that has not been paid yet. View your Purchase History here to identify where the charge came from.

View your purchase history for the App Store and other Apple media services - Apple Support

Remember if you started a free trial, you will need to cancel it at least 24 hours before the trial period ends to avoid being automatically signed up for a subscription. That is how all free trials work.

dmac209 wrote:

I can’t download free apps without payment info.

That is correct. It is step 2 here:

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

mauromsilva wrote:

I tried this. There is no 'NONE' option when I click on Payment Methods and Manage Payment Method (there is an old credit card that is no longer used). The page continues to require adding or updating to a valid credit card. Can anyone help me with this, please?

You will need to have a valid payment method. It is step 2 here:

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

J0355 wrote:

How do I add an app that is free it says I need to download a credit card

Even though an app may be free to download, you will find that most contain in-app purchases, free trials, or subscriptions that will use that card. Developers provide apps for you to download free and include these options in hopes you will find the app useful and use one of those methods to reimburse them for the time and cost to produce the app for you. Without any payment method there is no chance that will ever happen.

Step 2 of this support article says you might be required to have a payment method even to download free apps.

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If you are met with a message to update your payment method to download apps, you will need to do that and there has been no way to avoid it. You used to be able to purchase a Gift Card and maintain an Account Balance, but for reasons not specified by Apple, you might still need to have a credit card on file. There are a couple of things that we do know:

• You cannot change your region to simply download or subscribe to a service that would otherwise not be available in your current region. The payment method must match the region that is set on your device. Apps and subscriptions are not available in all regions.
• No age verification is required when setting up an Apple ID. Increased pressure is being placed on companies to control the content that children have access to. When adding a card to your Wallet, the bank can accept/deny access if the information provided to them does not match their records.