I’ve received several notifications that my payment method declined. However, when I repeatedly tried to update my credit or debit card information with a new card I was unable to. I worry about losing my photos in Google Photos.
I’m using an iPhone 11.
iPhone 11, iOS 18
What exactly did it say when you tried to update your payment method? The exact wording of error messages frequently indicate the precise problem and what needs to be done to resolve an issue. It also means you don't have to read through a long list of possibilities, like below. ;-)
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 are unclear to me. 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 or Japan --> https://support.apple.com/108103
What exactly did it say when you tried to update your payment method? The exact wording of error messages frequently indicate the precise problem and what needs to be done to resolve an issue. It also means you don't have to read through a long list of possibilities, like below. ;-)
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 are unclear to me. 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 or Japan --> https://support.apple.com/108103
Unable to update declined payment method on iPhone 11
