What do I need a payment method for a free app
I’m trying to download a free app that doesn’t require a payment, so why do I have to setup a payment method
You won't be charged to download a free app, but you will need a valid payment method. Most apps in the App Store have:
- Free Trials
- In-App Purchases
- Subscriptions
Developers have to pay each year to have the apps in the store and it also costs them time and money to develop the apps as well as to continue to update them. They will offer these optional methods in hopes you will find their efforts useful and use one of those. This gives you a chance to use the app to see if it meets your needs. Without a payment method there is no chance they will be able to recoup their costs. Before these options were available to let you use the app before payment, you would have had to pay to download the app without the ability to know even if you liked it. If you choose a free trial, then that will need to be cancelled 24 hours before the trial ends, otherwise you will be charged.
