Apple ID is charging me whenever I try to download a FREE app

If you have a problem payment method, add a good one first and then you can delete the old one.

If you have a subscription that is still running, Apple won't let you delete the only payment method.

Apple's official support articles present multiple statements* about situations requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. You do not always have to have one, but if you are encountering one of those situations then you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue downloading. The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. This next article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support .

If you have already entered a payment method, use the “Add a payment method” link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution. Also check this resource --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

* Ref.:

Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support

"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file."

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

- "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."

How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

- 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.

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."

You purchased something that has not been paid for yet because of your billing problem. You don't get out of the charge by deleting your payment method and until it is paid, you will not be able to use the App Store to download or update apps. View your purchase history here:

View your purchase history for the App Store and other Apple media services - Apple Support

I don't know of any store that will continue to let you shop when you don't pay for your purchases.

Its not charging you for a free app.

If its requiring a payment method, its because your current one is no longer verified, this does not in any way equate to being charged. Just that your payment method needs to be verified.

If you have a previous pending charge for $35 for something that never completed then you need to let it complete.

You started that transaction and you must now complete it as you are legally responsible for it. Once it completes you may be able to request a refund if you don't want to keep it.

Threats don't work here. If you want to go to to Android then go. We have no vested interest in what platform you use. Do note, the Google Play store works in much the same way. If you try to buy something or have a subscription that cannot be charged, the charge remains pending until it can successfully complete.

Apps that indicate they are free to download will not charge outright. They may activate a free trial which may then turn into a paid subscription, but they will never charge you when you try to download them. AlWeir is unfortunately incorrect in his assessment.

Whatever is charging you is not the free app you are currently trying to download.

There is no such thing as free. I might say it is free but if you go to the products page before downloading it and look. On a page like like "Top Free Games", you click on See All and the next page comes up and one column says Top Free Apps and the other column says Top Paid Apps, but if you look closely at the Top Free App column almost all of them have the In App Purchase thingy beside the app. They are not free or have a reduced mode within the app that only lets you do certain things until they have you hooked and then they want you to buck up for the full blown version.