Why I can't I download free apps on my iPhone?

Nothing you have said shows that Apple is stealing from you. You do need a valid payment method to download the apps and it is important to note that even some apps that are free to download also have payment options.

• Free Trial - If not cancelled 24 hours before trial ends, payment method needed to charge you.
• In-App Purchase - In order to further support developers, some offer a free version to download with options that require payment method.
• Subscription - To sign up for a subscription you would need a payment method.

Developers have to pay each year to have their apps in the App Store for you to download. It cost them time and money to develop the apps. They will offer you many options to be able to try out the app for free and if you find the app useful, they would hope you would support their efforts. Without a payment method there is no hope that they will ever be able to recoup any of their costs. When the App Store first came out you did not have these trial options and had to pay for each download to support the developer. Having these trials is a benefit for users to try out the app first, but that does not mean you can do that without a payment method. If you do not cancel a free trial 24 hours before it ends you will be paying for the app.

It's not a scam and Apple isn't stealing from you.

You need a valid payment method on file with Apple, even for free apps. They won't charge you for free apps but they need a payment method for ID purposes and in-app purchases.

If you want to use the App Store to download apps, then you play by Apple's rules and you put in a payment method, which will NEVER be charged for a free app. So your assertion Apple is stealing or it's a scam, is simply wrong.

Or don't and you won't be able to download apps. Your choice of course.