Why can't I update free apps with unpaid subscriptions from the App Store?

It’s so ridiculous that when you havent paid a subscription, you cant even update apps you already own or have installed. I play a free app every single day. Now it needs an update. Which also costs $0. Yet, since I haven’t paid for a subscription, I can’t download the update. Which means I can’t play my game. It’s seriously ridiculous. I have a super long unbroken streak with this game. But the only issue I’ve ever had with Apple is that you can’t download FREE apps if you have an unpaid subscription.



[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Oct 23, 2023 12:51 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 23, 2023 2:31 PM

You have to pay for things you have purchased and/or subscriptions that haven't been canceled yet.

If you bought something then you have to pay, if you don't pay then you owe that amount to Apple until you pay.


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

30 replies

Feb 23, 2024 9:03 AM in response to AngieMN

Hello again ~ You can discuss if you would like…no criticism at all. You are responding to a thread posted back in October of last year but feel free to do as you like. I thought to point you in the direction where you would feel most heard but obviously not what you wanted. This is a technical forum not a chat site. Take care and be well.


~Katana-San~

May 31, 2024 1:31 AM in response to Kmart828

I also feel like it is that you can’t update apps whenever you are in debt or haven’t paid a subscription. Not being able to download apps a little bit understandable. But taking away updates on the apps you play on is messed up. Then your card gets glitched and I always be putting my correct CVV and it says it’s not saved when I know I pressed save. I like the iPhone just some of the things it does is just whack and doing to much.


[Edited by Moderator]

Jun 8, 2024 6:13 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Ok but wait so if it was like a free thingy, a free trial and then subscription starts on ____, you don’t technically OWE because you aren’t using the subscription in the meantime you are paying to be able to use it now. Correct? Anyways, how tf do I find Al my subscriptions and remove them? (Please and thank you no frustration is aimed in your specific direction)

Sep 16, 2024 8:49 PM in response to Kmart828

I’m serious. I’ve never had this problem with Google before Google play. I mean it’s ridiculous that even when you have the app like for instance I have my favorite games too, but let’s take crucial apps like people that work through like Uber Lyft DoorDash things like that they’re running behind a little or nine times out of 10. My problem is I’ve had money in my bank or my Apple Pay and when I do purchase something they say they take it out and later I have Big being charged me because I never took it out. That’s ridiculous. I’ve never had that problem before with Google play they should make it illegal for them to do things like that .

Sep 16, 2024 8:51 PM in response to Kmart828

Wait, am I gonna get like blocked or banned for speaking in my mind on how APPLE doesn’t allow a base one there’s a balance a balance that accumulated because they confirmed that they charge your account or there was money and they said they never did so you’re stuck with his bill. I just think if they really care about the customers they should hear our feedback.

Sep 16, 2024 8:59 PM in response to Raicya

I’m not sure if you’re saying that we’re not aware that we have to pay for things we agree to pay but certain things are free and those subscriptions are doing certain dates. They should be some kind of grace. Things happen life shows up someone gets in an accident and, they’ll be a couple of days late or something, but should really come down to basically Shutting our services or limiting or just not updating apps like I don’t know if anybody else has ever had this happen you’re playing a game everything‘s paid you purchase something within the app and I purchase in the dollar charges to your account. The money is there. APPLE confirms that your bank confirms it and later you have an accumulated charge from a few dollars there were supposed to have been taken out to maybe 10 $15 because they didn’t take it out when they said so now you’re stuck with the bigger amount instead of taking it out when it was there available it’s a real mind-boggling situation?

Sep 17, 2024 4:33 AM in response to LOSTINTHE-APPLE-SAUCE

LOSTINTHE-APPLE-SAUCE wrote:

Wait, am I gonna get like blocked or banned for speaking in my mind on how APPLE doesn’t allow a base one there’s a balance a balance that accumulated because they confirmed that they charge your account or there was money and they said they never did so you’re stuck with his bill. I just think if they really care about the customers they should hear our feedback.

If you want Apple to hear your feedback, this isn't the place to share it. This is a user to user only forum and Apple doesn't read here for user feedback.


Use this link if you want to share your feedback with Apple --> Product Feedback - Apple


Oct 9, 2024 6:27 PM in response to LOSTINTHE-APPLE-SAUCE

LOSTINTHE-APPLE-SAUCE wrote:

Wait, am I gonna get like blocked or banned for speaking in my mind on how APPLE doesn’t allow a base one there’s a balance a balance that accumulated because they confirmed that they charge your account or there was money and they said they never did so you’re stuck with his bill. I just think if they really care about the customers they should hear our feedback.

Apple doesn't hear your feedback here. You seem to have gone to the wrong place. This might be what your are looking for:

Product Feedback - Apple


Don't confuse this site with a Social Media site where users are free to rant about anything they want. This site operates under Terms of Use that are available on the bottom of every page for you to review. The purpose is for users to provide technical questions and others attempt to answer, usually with documentation provided by Apple. You will find that not all questions will have an answer that can be provided and in that case you will be instructed to use the provided Feedback link.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why can't I update free apps with unpaid subscriptions from the App Store?

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