why cant ii download a free app without having to put my cc in first? i donwhy cant ii download a free app without having to put my cc in first? i dont have money to pay my subscriptions yet but would still like to be able to downliad free apps
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: App downloads
iPhone 14, iOS 26
The bottom line is you have to do it because Apple says so. :-) We are not allowed to discuss as to why, though if you think about it you can probably come up with the same reasons that we might. ;-)
Apple requiring a payment method such as a credit or debit card, even for free apps or where you have enough account balance to pay for the item, is not an uncommon observation. Some possible reasons are outlined in the links below such as outstanding balance, an issue with a payment method you have currently entered, ongoing subscriptions, or simply because they say so. You can try to configure your account to not have a payment method but you may find there is no option other than to enter a valid payment method to satisfy one of Apple's requirements. If the item is free you will not be charged. If it costs something, your Apple ID balance will in most cases be used first. You can later try to remove the payment method and see if it only needs to be there temporarily.
If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free." If you have something else on your account that requires a payment method, such as a subscription, and your current payment method is not working then Apple won't let you download even free things until you fix the payment method. This is explained in this document, '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
If you can't remove your last payment method or use no payment method with your Apple ID - Remove a payment method from your Apple Account - Apple Support
- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.
- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.
Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support - at the very bottom: "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."
Also:
How App Store and iTunes Store purchases are billed - How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support
Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple ID balance
- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.
- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.
And:
What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support
"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."
So, the resolution will be to add a payment method:
This document explains how to change, add, review, or remove Apple ID payment methods on a Mac or Apple mobile devices; click here --> Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support
The bottom line is you have to do it because Apple says so. :-) We are not allowed to discuss as to why, though if you think about it you can probably come up with the same reasons that we might. ;-)
Apple requiring a payment method such as a credit or debit card, even for free apps or where you have enough account balance to pay for the item, is not an uncommon observation. Some possible reasons are outlined in the links below such as outstanding balance, an issue with a payment method you have currently entered, ongoing subscriptions, or simply because they say so. You can try to configure your account to not have a payment method but you may find there is no option other than to enter a valid payment method to satisfy one of Apple's requirements. If the item is free you will not be charged. If it costs something, your Apple ID balance will in most cases be used first. You can later try to remove the payment method and see if it only needs to be there temporarily.
If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free." If you have something else on your account that requires a payment method, such as a subscription, and your current payment method is not working then Apple won't let you download even free things until you fix the payment method. This is explained in this document, '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
If you can't remove your last payment method or use no payment method with your Apple ID - Remove a payment method from your Apple Account - Apple Support
- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.
- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.
Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support - at the very bottom: "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."
Also:
How App Store and iTunes Store purchases are billed - How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support
Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple ID balance
- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.
- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.
And:
What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support
"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."
So, the resolution will be to add a payment method:
This document explains how to change, add, review, or remove Apple ID payment methods on a Mac or Apple mobile devices; click here --> Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support
cheri37 wrote:
i dont have money to pay my subscriptions yet but would still like to be able to downliad free apps
What does that mean? Have you defaullted on paying subscriptions? Do you owe Apple money for unpaid subscriptions?
If that's true, regardless of anything else posted, if you owe Apple payment for subscriptions, that would be the reason that you can't download free apps!
When you have unpaid debts to Apple for purchases, such as a subscription, Apple freezes your account and you cannot use it for anything. You can't update apps, You can't redownload previously acquired apps. And you can't download new apps, even the free ones.
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
Unable to understand the need of a credit card for free app downloads on iPhone?
