Why does Apple charge me to download free apps?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 11, iOS 18
They don't. Do you have a specific example of a free app that you downloaded and were then charged for?
One possibility is that you made an in-app purchase within the app.
It is possible to set your payment method to "None" as long as certiancriteria are met. The following article outlines how to set your payment method to "None" or to resolve some reasons that you can't do so:
Remove a payment method from your Apple Account - Apple Support
You usually need a functioning payment method for your account. Even to download free apps, to re-download or to update apps.
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 15.3.1; Watch, series 10 GPS-only, watchOS 11.3.1; iPhone 16, iOS 18.3.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 18.3; HomePods, audioOS 18.3 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2
Why is the App Store charging me for downloading free apps?
