Can’t buy in-app using money in App Store.

If you see a message it would help a lot of you included what it says exactly.

In your case if it is saying you need to add a payment method then you need to add a debit or credit card of some kind. Apple frequently requires this even if in the end it uses your account balance to actually pay for the item..

If you already have a payment method but it is declined: Read this document about how to view your current payment types and add Apple Account payment methods on an Apple mobile device, a Mac, or a PC --> Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support

If an item appears in red then it is no longer working and you either need to replace it or get it working again. Even if an app is free, or payment will ultimately be taken from your personal account balance, Apple may absolutely require the presence of a valid and working payment method such as a credit or debit card.

If you can't add a payment method, check Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support , or this one about what to do if your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store —> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

- Based on the information you enter, Apple is checking with your financial institution if the payment method is valid. Apple is receiving a negative, or no, response. Make sure the name and address are entered exactly as it appears on your financial institution bills and that the 3 digit CVV is correct. Check with your financial institution about the status of your card. “If you want to know why a debit card, credit card, or other payment method was declined, speak with your financial institution. Apple doesn't have information about why the payment method was declined.”

- Make sure your payment method is up to date or to try a different one ( If you need to change or update your Apple Account payment method - Apple Support ).

- Make sure this is one of the payment methods that you can use with your account, as listed in this support article: Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support .

・Unfortunately the payment methods list is somewhat general and does not include individual brands of cards (I guess there are too many and are constantly changing). This thread is an example of where a person was not using an acceptable kind —> Why are my cards not supported on the MFI… - Apple Community Prepaid cards are not true credit cards.

・Also read any footnotes in the document.

・If you are trying to use a payment method from another country you may encounter problems. Apple’s statements to me are unclear. In If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support Apple implies international payment types can be used when it says, "You might need to ask your financial institution to allow international purchases on your debit or credit card". Apple then counters this in Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support with, “If you're using an accepted payment method but your Apple Account is set to a different country or region, change your country or region.” Usually it is easiest to just use a card from the same country as your Apple Account setting.

・A card may be declined if a previous charge to that card has failed, such as you having asked the financial agency to refuse payment for an item you did not want.

・Finally, note that the document only says which methods _are_ acceptable. Apparently certain types (usually a credit or debit card) _must_ also be present under certain situations such as when a subscription is involved.

If you still have problems, contact official Apple Support. Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world, in this article --> Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

If you're in India, click on this link to read an April 2022 notice 'About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India' --> https://support.apple.com/HT212781

Additional verification that may be required when making purchases in Europe --> https://support.apple.com/108103

You may still need a payment method on file to use the App Store.

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

If you have changed regions on your device, you will also need to add a card that is from the same region on your device. That is how Apple determines you are using the correct App Store, since each region has their own.

• Make sure that you have a payment method for your new country or region.

Change your Apple Account country or region - Apple Support