Pending transaction blocking Apple ID, refund inquiry

Hello,


On October 10, 2025, there was a pending transaction on my account that got stuck in “processing.” I didn’t complete the payment because from the beginning I had no intention of purchasing this subscription.


I ignored it at the time, but now this pending charge is affecting my Apple ID. I can’t download apps from the App Store or pay for important services like iCloud or Apple Music.


If I complete the payment now, would it still be possible to request a refund? I’m worried it may be denied because a lot of time has passed, and the amount is significant for me.

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Jan 26, 2026 11:44 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 7:22 AM

You have to do multiple steps to make a purchase so you must have done those and Apple considered those to be your agreement to purchase the subscription. Once purchased, you have to cancel the subscription. You cannot get out of this at any intermediate stage unless the content is not available or is defective. Refer to Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple


Apple makes no mention in its support articles about a time limit for requesting refunds, but from what others have posted through the years in similar situation you will be lucky if they will give you a refund at this stage. You have, after all, had access to the subscription for several months now. I think if you had paid, canceled the subscription then also requested a refund all at the time this happened then you would have stood a better chance. You can try now, if you wish (of course you have to pay first). Use this link to read about how to learn "How to cancel a subscription from Apple." - If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support


Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


If you want to see purchases that you made more than 90 days prior, "tap Last 90 Days, then select a different date range.


Until you resolve this with Apple, you will not be able to do any more activity through the App Store.


You can contact Apple about this but it wouldn't surprise me if they just tell you something similar.


Refer to this page for Apple Support features ➔ Contact - Official Apple Support

Select from the presented options until you find a solution for your issue, or see if there is a chat or phone call contact method offered lower on the page under “Get more help” (you sometimes have to narrow down the options multiple times before this is shown). If you do not see your issue, keep experimenting with any series of selections until you reach one that offers a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support Scroll down to “Connect with live support”. If your country is not in the list, do to the “Other countries” entry at the end of the list. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.


For chat, you can try using the Apple Support App —> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044







2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 27, 2026 7:22 AM in response to phat222

You have to do multiple steps to make a purchase so you must have done those and Apple considered those to be your agreement to purchase the subscription. Once purchased, you have to cancel the subscription. You cannot get out of this at any intermediate stage unless the content is not available or is defective. Refer to Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple


Apple makes no mention in its support articles about a time limit for requesting refunds, but from what others have posted through the years in similar situation you will be lucky if they will give you a refund at this stage. You have, after all, had access to the subscription for several months now. I think if you had paid, canceled the subscription then also requested a refund all at the time this happened then you would have stood a better chance. You can try now, if you wish (of course you have to pay first). Use this link to read about how to learn "How to cancel a subscription from Apple." - If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support


Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support


If you want to see purchases that you made more than 90 days prior, "tap Last 90 Days, then select a different date range.


Until you resolve this with Apple, you will not be able to do any more activity through the App Store.


You can contact Apple about this but it wouldn't surprise me if they just tell you something similar.


Refer to this page for Apple Support features ➔ Contact - Official Apple Support

Select from the presented options until you find a solution for your issue, or see if there is a chat or phone call contact method offered lower on the page under “Get more help” (you sometimes have to narrow down the options multiple times before this is shown). If you do not see your issue, keep experimenting with any series of selections until you reach one that offers a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support Scroll down to “Connect with live support”. If your country is not in the list, do to the “Other countries” entry at the end of the list. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.


For chat, you can try using the Apple Support App —> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044







Jan 27, 2026 1:08 AM in response to phat222

Why would you purchase a subscription that you had no intention of buying?!?! That makes no sense.


It your Apple Account is locked because you have defaulted paying for a purchase, the account will remain locked until you make arrangements with Apple to pay the debt.


Apple rarely makes refunds. All sales are considered to be final.


You will need to speak to Support to make payment arrangements or plead your case.


World-wide Apple Support -

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Support by phone, email or chat -

https://getsupport.apple.com/


Apple Support by Twitter -

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport


M1 Mac mini, macOS 26.2;  Watch, Series 10 GPS-only, watchOS 26.2; iPhone 16, iOS 26.2.1; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 26.2 HomePods, audioOS 26.2


Pending transaction blocking Apple ID, refund inquiry

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.