App store keeps asking for my Apple ID and password repeatedly and will not let me download updates. How do I stop this?

Do you have a payment method in your Apple Account details? Sometimes the POS backend gets stuck in this sort of cycle if you don't have one.

You usually need a payment method, even for free apps, updates, and redownloads.

You can bypass the App Store to add a payment method;

On a Mac;

• Open the System Settings app (in the  menu)

• Chose your Apple Account

• Choose Payment & Shipping

• Add a payment method to your account details

On an iOS/iPadOS device;

• Open the Settings app

• Chose your Apple Account

• Choose Payment & Shipping

• Add a payment method to your account details

Alternatively -

On a Mac;

• Open the System Settings app (in the  menu)

• Choose your Apple Account

• Choose Media & Purchases

• Choose View Account

• Choose Manage Payments

• Add a payment method to your account details

On an iOS/iPadOS device;

• Open the Settings app

• Choose your Apple Account

• Choose Media & Purchases

• Choose View Account

• Choose Manage Payments

• Add a payment method to your account details

You can find the acceptable payment methods for your country here;

Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support

M1 Mac mini, macOS 15.1;  Watch, series 10 GPS-only, watchOS 11.1; iPhone 16, iOS 18.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 18.1; HomePods, audioOS 18.1 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2