What to do when a refund request is denied on the App Store?

The people responding on this support forum are users like you and we only know what Apple says in its documentation and what our own and other users' experience tells us. Apple does not have much on its criteria for refusing refunds. Here are two sections from Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions - Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple

- "All Transactions are final."

I understand this as meaning Apple is starting from a point where any refund is considered an exception. They can simply say no without having to provide a reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.

- "From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim." Make of this what you will. Think of reasons why somebody may consider your request to be fraud or abuse. Remember, Apple cannot reach out and remove something you have downloaded. They have to trust that your request is sincere and honest, but there may be limits.

You can see if the terms are different for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple select your location and then your language.

If you feel you want to discuss a refund request, try to contact a live person using a telephone or chat request.

Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

"See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world." Click here --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

These articles may also interest you:

You can use Screen Time to prevent unintentional or unauthorized purchases from the App Store and other Apple services. —> Use Screen Time to prevent purchasing - Apple Support

Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases

Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases - Apple Support

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Ask To Buy

Set up Ask to Buy - Apple Support

Sorry, but the authorization comes from when you give someone your Passcode. By default, purchases cannot be made without either biometric confirmation or the Passcode that only you should know. If you do allow someone else to use your device, then it is up to you to use one of the many other ways that Apple provides to prevent purchases. That could be by:

• Requiring a Password for Purchases. This is separate from the Passcode.

Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support

• Use Screen Time Restrictions to prevent purchases

Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Use Screen Time

• What is the app?
• Did you use a Free Trial?
• Did you go to their website for a free trial?

All free trials will automatically become a subscription if not cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial period ends. Any in-app purchase, even for a free trial, will require you to double click the side button with the amount showing on the screen. The free trial will show as free until the date shown and also the subscription price if not cancelled. After you double click the side button it is followed by verification using biometrics or Passcode to prevent any purchase from someone who does not know your credentials. Subscriptions don't start just by downloading an app.

It makes no difference if you use the app after the trial/subscription is started. That is true for any subscription, for example, you may have a HBO/Max subscription and will be charged each month whether you watch any of the shows or not. You will want to make sure the subscription is cancelled to avoid any future charges.

View or cancel app subscriptions on iPhone - Apple Support

Just gotta go to your financial institution and ask for the charges to be reversed. The game people manipulated my kid and even had them go on a separate app. They even asked for pictures of my kid.

Apple needs to fix their policies and they even allow their app providers to attempt to get kids pictures. Sad.

If it was in the App Store, you can try here:

Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support

Typically it is difficult to purchase an app by mistake as it requires double clicking the side button with the amount showing on the screen, followed by verification with biometrics or Passcode. If another method was used to make the purchase, please provide the details.

For everyone here, please read Mac Jim's excellent posting. And let me point out that this is a community forum where Apple users try to help other Apple users with technical problems. Put another way, we are all just Apple users, like you. None of here are able to issue refunds. Only Apple can do that and they do not participate in the community forums.

You may find this other community discussion helpful:

What to do when a refund request is denie… - Apple Community

Several things to try:

Have you restarted your device? That sometimes clears up odd issues.

If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open, read this document for suggestions of things to try --> If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open - Apple Support

Delete the app and try to redownload apps and games from Apple --> Redownload apps and games for your Apple devices from the App Store - Apple Support

This support article tells you how to contact an app developer - How to contact an app developer - Apple Support - for problems running an app or problems restoring purchases

This support article tells you how to find the URL for an app in the App Store to report a concern --> Find the URL for content to report a concern - Apple Support

If an app or feature on your device is not working or is restricted, it may have been disabled using Screen Time, or by an IT administrator if you are using a device owned by an employer or educational institution. See how to use Screen Time on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch by clicking here --> Use Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If you still have problems click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product.

shyanne280 wrote:

I have a similar situation. It is already hard being a college student, I just wanted a free trial to help with some school work, not use my grocery money to pay for something I won’t be using again. I even canceled my subscription.

All free trials will convert to a subscription if not cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial period ends. You did not say when you cancelled the subscription, but sounds like it may not have been done before that time. That would be what was agreed to when you started the free trial. It is a contract to pay just like any other contract you would enter into.

You can try to request a refund, but usually all transactions are final in the App Store. In some cases Apple may provide a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected.

Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support

RAYHANAHMED7 wrote:

Hi Apple please can I have my refund back from all that I requested because the purchases that have went threw was not wanted and I didn’t want that so please can I have all my refunds

kind regards RayhanAhmed7

Sorry, but Apple is not here and you will need to use the refund link that has already been provided. It is important to note that in most cases all transactions in the App Store are final, but on occasion Apple may grant a compassionate refund. It should never be expected, though.

To make a purchases in the App Store, you need to double click the side button with the amount showing on the screen. This is not something that can be done by accident.

Nananino wrote:

why not eligible for refund??? i need my money back!

Have not idea as you have not provided any information on how the charge occurred or the circumstances of the charge. You are not speaking to Apple here and none of us can give you your money back.

In most cases all transactions in the App Store are final. At times, Apple may provide a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected. Some apps offer a free trial so you can try out a service and as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial period ends, you will not see a charge. For an app that does not provide a free trial, you cannot create your own free trial by trying the app out yourself and requesting a refund later.

Once you gave your niece your iPhone, you accepted responsibility for her purchases. Did you give your niece your iPhone and unlock it? If so, any charges she incurred are your responsibility.

Please help me get back my money. The decision is very unfair. Apple said it was not eligible for refund when in fact I never use that app and that app never existed already from my device still it purchase the subscription without my knowledge. Pleade be fair to us. We needed that money. Please help me it was a big money you took from me.

Nobody here took it from you. The people on this forum are users like yourself, not Apple employees. We can no more give you a refund than you can give us one. I believe I said that 6 months ago too. ;-)

I have requested a refund for my child who spent her money without my permission. He says the invention was made up and starts to figure out what this invention is? My child was able to buy things from his toys without permission and bought many of them separately. I have requested a refund but I am unable to find out the knowledge, can you help me with this?

Read this support article for information about how to check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple, and long it takes to receive a refund if you are granted one --> Check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support

After you request a refund you'll receive a status update by email within 48 hours. If your refund is approved, the funds are applied to the same payment method that you used to buy the item. How long it takes for a refund to appear on your account or statement depends upon the payment method used:

● Store credit—It might take up to 48 hours to see the refund in your Apple Account balance.

● Mobile phone billing—It might take up to 60 days for the statement to show the refund. Processing time might be affected by your carrier. You can contact your carrier for an update.

● Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Apple Cash, and all other payment methods—It might take up to 30 days for the statement to show the refund. If you don't see the refund after 30 days, contact your financial institution."

Since the article specifically says "statement", which for me is the thing that arrives monthly in my mailbox, I wonder if you check your daily card transactions if you might see it earlier?