Paying apple debt with Apple ID balance

"you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment."

You do NOT need to do this, and you couldn't change it even if you wanted to. Apple will try personal balance first, automatically, unless it is something that can't be paid for with balance.

To find out how the Apple payment system actually works, read 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.

2. If you don't have Apple ID balance, you don't have enough to cover the full amount, or an item cannot be paid for with Apple ID balance, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method (typically a credit or debit card, but varies according to country). The primary payment method is at the top of the list in Settings on your iPhone. You can control which payment method is at the top of the list. [See: Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support ]

3. If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. If none of them can be charged, Apple may try again." See also sections B and H of Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple

Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple ID balance

● If you're in a Family Sharing group, purchases are charged to your personal Apple ID balance. If you don't have enough Apple ID balance to pay for the purchase, the remainder is charged to the family organizer's primary payment method.

● 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.

If none of your payment methods can be charged

If a purchase can't be charged to any of your payment methods, your account has a negative balance. You can't buy more items or update your apps until you update your payment method."

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.

If you have enough money in your Apple Account balance, 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 -> 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 have followed all the steps and instructions and 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 or check -> here for more support and assistance.