Level 1

106 points

Unable to make in-app purchases after iOS 18.2 update

I updated my phone to iOS 18.2 and once this occurred, I was no longer able to do any in app purchases on my game apps. Before the update, I had no problem at all making in app purchases. I have already did some troubleshooting. There is nothing wrong with my cards that are added in my iPhone. It is not my bank. This is simply an issue that started occurring when iOS 18.2 was downloaded to my phone. When in my game app and if I attempt to do an in app purchase, it swirls and swirls and never goes to my payment info. There is no decline, just swirling. It freezes the app up so I have to close it out to even move beyond the swirling. I have seen many comments of people having similar experiences and seems like Apple wants to blame the customer but I have to disagree. This is an Apple iOS update issue. I really hope that Apple take these comments being made into consideration and go back to the drawing board to correct the issue. As of today, I still cannot do in app purchases because the swirling is still occurring.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Posted on Dec 26, 2024 10:45 AM

Top-ranking reply

Dude_the_dog

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Jan 19, 2025 11:39 PM

Oops, the FAQ link was removed by the moderator, so here's a copy and paste! Hope this helps :-)

If you're using our app on a device running iOS 18.2+ and experiencing issues with missing in-app purchases or being unable to make in-app purchases, you're not alone! Apple introduced stricter privacy controls for in-app purchases. Users need to explicitly grant permission for purchases to be processed and shared with apps. If permission has not been granted, you may not be able to make in-app purchases from within any app, including the Earworms app, and your past purchases may not be reflected in apps, including the Earworms app.

How to Allow In-App Purchases:

- Open Your iPhone Settings:Tap on the Settings app on your device.
- Review Screen Time Restrictions:Navigate to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- Ensure In-App Purchases is set to Allow.

Still Having Trouble?

Update to the Latest iOS: Ensure you’re using the latest iOS version. iOS 18.2+ is a moving target as Apple fixes issues raised with this big update.
Update Our App: Ensure you’re using the latest version of our app, which includes fixes and optimisations for iOS 18.2+.
Restart Your Device: A simple reboot may resolve temporary glitches.
- Sign In to Your Apple ID:Open Settings → Tap your name at the top → Select Media & Purchases → View Account.
- Make sure you're signed in with the Apple ID used for the purchase

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57 replies

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,376 points

Dec 29, 2024 9:01 AM in response to sharonda135

These forums are not monitored by Apple. They will not be aware of your challenge unless you report it. You can contact Apple Support (link below) open a support ticket with a number or submit feedback directly to Apple using link below.

Apple Support Community is a public discussion forum for fellow Apple users to assist each other and share tips and solutions. Apple hosts the community, but is not a participant and will never read your comment. If you would like to leave feedback for Apple please use the link below.

Product Feedback - Apple

If you’re in the US please call 1-800-MY-APPLE or outside the US, consult the support articles below.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,376 points

Jan 4, 2025 2:41 PM in response to Auddie9195

Product Feedback - Apple

Dec 29, 2024 8:25 AM in response to sharonda135

Same for me. Can make purchases on iPhone using Face ID but iPad not coming up with the Touch ID prompt.

Touch id working for opening device and bank apps etc. Just swirls on in game purchases and locks up. Contacted apple and games support but no answers yet after trying usual resets.

Jan 4, 2025 2:10 PM in response to sharonda135

Yeh, when I was in my call with them, they had share the screen and had me record the issue in action and then asked me to send the link, with more users coming forward with this, Apple will have to respond accordingly and appropriately in regards to this, it’s not just iPad 7 that’s affected, someone in a different discussion stated her kids iPad 9 was affected too, it MUST be iOS/iPadOS 18.2 that has this bug

This is why Apple should ensure each update is bug free before releasing it

Jan 12, 2025 2:40 AM in response to sharonda135

Same here , iPad iOS update 18.2 overnight update , the very next day no purchases working .Apple even said try $1.00 purchase for credit to Apple wallet and that didn’t even work..I’ve done all the fixes even sadly reset twice with Apple (didn’t want to ) the second time they said full reset with no iCloud save.1 week of being hand balled from game developers to Apple to internet providers and back to Apple ,week 2 I’m still with no purchase ,I have credit,internet is fine , banks /funds all good and iPad is excellent ..It’s software ..sad that we can’t uninstall the update till it’s fixed then install.very frustrated,a game I’ve played for 8 yrs and never missed the monthly avatar award and this will probably be my first :( as every time I try and play and any purchase deal comes up , I have to close and reopen the game .apple said do the iOS extra bug fix update 18.2.1 and it did nothing

sharonda135 Author

Level 1

106 points

Dec 27, 2024 1:12 PM in response to ToastyMoogle

I believe they are aware or they should be now due to the attention brought to the matter. I have saw other people report something similar. Hopefully Apple will stop blaming the customer and the game developers and go ahead and resolve the issue. It’s clear that it’s an iOS update issue. This doesn’t appear to be an isolated issue at this point. Thanks for chiming in. The more reports received, hopefully pushes them to submit a new update to resolve it.

Jan 2, 2025 1:00 AM in response to sharonda135

Same with me on my iPad, with iPadOS 18.2, glad I’m not the only one, this is what happens when I try in game and after I have to close it, the game won’t even let me select to purchase (both seen in the pics)

Jan 2, 2025 7:15 PM in response to Jeff Donald

I’ve already had 2 text chats and 2 phone appointments with Apple about this issue. They are, in fact, blaming the app developers. But the developers of one game told me all in-app purchases go through Apple so Apple has to fix it. Then the Apple tech support guy responded that the game devs need to fix it…

sharonda135 Author

Level 1

106 points

Jan 2, 2025 7:24 PM in response to stephrock

Definitely not the game developer’s issue. If it were, why is it only happening on iPad and not iPhone? I can purchase in-app on my games just fine on my iPhone. But I cannot on my iPad. How can they blame the game developers when this literally began to happen after installing iOS 18.2?

Jan 26, 2025 8:45 AM in response to sharonda135

It's been like that for me since a few days ago as well (iPad 9th Generation user) even after I updated it to 18.2.1. There's no workaround or solutions for this matter unless either someone finds a way to get it fixed without confusing everyone or if it gets updated to 18.2.2 or 18.3 depending on the version.

Jan 28, 2025 1:16 PM in response to sharonda135

Thank you. Same thing happened to me right after installing 18.2 update in December and two long frustrating calls with Apple techs, they told me it was the developer or my internet connection. I went to a game developer who said it was Apple. My ipad will no longer allow me to make any purchases from any app, including Audible books, Apple Tv, Kindle, games, etc. I was about to trade in my ipad which works just fine for a new one when I thought I would ask the question again and I see it isn't just me and my ipad! Apple needs to fix ASAP. Meanwhile my iphone in app purchases works for now.....

sharonda135 Author

Level 1

106 points

Jan 18, 2025 10:13 AM in response to YugiohStevie

From what I’m reading in some of the comments, the issue should be addressed in the 18.3 update. But not sure when that will occur.

sharonda135 Author

Level 1

106 points

Dec 26, 2024 11:09 AM in response to Jeff Donald

The issue is occurring with all of my game apps. So are you saying that all of my game apps have not upgraded their apps for iOS 18.2 compatibility??? Because again, this only occurred the moment I updated my phone to iOS 18.2.

Dec 31, 2024 4:06 PM in response to katjafromsoleuvre

I have been having the same problem on my IPad, I also had the problem where my notes folder in gmail would now open as a matter of fact I had delete everything in there , luckily I had a copy stored elsewhere. Please attend to this matter prioritizing your Apple customers.

sharonda135 Author

Level 1

106 points

Jan 4, 2025 3:00 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Jeff-we are aware that Apple won’t read our comments. There have been numerous calls from the Apple community who have already reached out to Apple, including myself. The comments will continue to go on about this subject because we are all trying to support one another through this Apple issue.

Thanks

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Unable to make in-app purchases after iOS 18.2 update