Unable to select 'none' as payment method on Apple Account

I have money on my account, but I can't select the payment method "none" to write them off. How can I fix it?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Payment method “none”

iPhone 11, iOS 18

Posted on Aug 29, 2025 3:17 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 29, 2025 7:22 PM

One interpretation of write them off is you want to empty your account balance so you can change country.


1) If you are trying to empty your balance and still have a valid credit or debit card from your original country, you may purchase an item from the App or iTunes Stores for more than your balance. The remainder will be billed to your card, leaving you with nothing in your account balance. This is the easiest solution (you can do it yourself!), plus you get to use your money for something for yourself instead of donating it to Apple.


2) Alternatively, you could ask Apple Support to remove and keep the balance. Use this link Apple provides to take you directly to the managing and editing an Apple Account people who will do this for you --> https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198

This is more direct than using Official Apple Support which will just eventually lead you to the same place after some searching.


If the above direct link does not work for you, go to https://getsupport.apple.com/?s=n , enter “empty balance” or “zero balance” in the search line, press enter to search, then on the next page select “Clear Apple Account balance”. On the next page select a chat or telephone call option.


Alternatively give Apple a phone call. Find a list of telephone numbers at: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


When asking about this because you are changing regions, take a look at this article:

Change your Apple Account country or region - Apple Support

Note that in that article Apple advises, “* If you don’t want to enter a payment method, wait until you're physically in your new country or region, then create a new Apple Account.” Avoid this if at all possible! Doing this will cause a LOT of complications with your current content and could potentially also result in problems with using your hardware.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 29, 2025 7:22 PM in response to Limnos

One interpretation of write them off is you want to empty your account balance so you can change country.


1) If you are trying to empty your balance and still have a valid credit or debit card from your original country, you may purchase an item from the App or iTunes Stores for more than your balance. The remainder will be billed to your card, leaving you with nothing in your account balance. This is the easiest solution (you can do it yourself!), plus you get to use your money for something for yourself instead of donating it to Apple.


2) Alternatively, you could ask Apple Support to remove and keep the balance. Use this link Apple provides to take you directly to the managing and editing an Apple Account people who will do this for you --> https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0998&symptom_id=20198

This is more direct than using Official Apple Support which will just eventually lead you to the same place after some searching.


If the above direct link does not work for you, go to https://getsupport.apple.com/?s=n , enter “empty balance” or “zero balance” in the search line, press enter to search, then on the next page select “Clear Apple Account balance”. On the next page select a chat or telephone call option.


Alternatively give Apple a phone call. Find a list of telephone numbers at: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


When asking about this because you are changing regions, take a look at this article:

Change your Apple Account country or region - Apple Support

Note that in that article Apple advises, “* If you don’t want to enter a payment method, wait until you're physically in your new country or region, then create a new Apple Account.” Avoid this if at all possible! Doing this will cause a LOT of complications with your current content and could potentially also result in problems with using your hardware.


Aug 29, 2025 7:21 PM in response to Hab8r

I too don't know what you mean when you say write them off.


From this support article --> How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

"Which payment method is charged?

When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple automatically attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:


1. Apple attempts to use your Apple ID balance to cover the full amount.


2. If you don't have Apple ID balance, you don't have enough to cover the full amount, or an item cannot be paid for with Apple ID balance, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method (typically a credit or debit card, but varies according to country). The primary payment method is at the top of the list in Settings on your iPhone. You can control which payment method is at the top of the list. [See: Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support ]

Don't confuse having to have a payment method present as an indicator it will be used. Apple may require a payment method be present even if it doesn't use it.


3. If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. If none of them can be charged, Apple may try again." See also sections B and H of Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple



Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple Account balance

● You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.

● For some recurring charges, like AppleCare+, you can't start your subscription with Apple Account balance. But as long as you keep another valid payment method on file and your Apple Account balance would cover an entire charge, your recurring charge will pull from your Apple Account balance (see the article for more information).

● Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple Account balance.

● If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are available only to you.


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Unable to select 'none' as payment method on Apple Account

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