Why am I being asked to add payment method for free apps??? And when I add card it says not accepted then I see an attempted charge of 11.95 I have not purchased ANYTHING!!!
Earlier iPhone models
That usually points to a pending charge. Something you tried to buy once but never completed, or a free trial on an app that was never canceled and renewed into a paid subscription but was never successfully paid for.
Ignoring free trials, or active subscriptions or blocking the charges from your banks or payment method issuer's side does not make the charge go away. You are held responsible for any charge initiated on the platform until you complete it.
In these cases, you legally owe that amount and must pay it before you can again make use of the App Store features, including free apps.
If you are the family organizer of a family sharing group or share your payment method with anybody, they may have started a purchase that was unable to complete.
At this point, as mentioned, if it's asking for a payment method and a charge is trying to be completed, there is no way around it. You must add a payment method to cover the charge. Once successfully paid, you can request a refund for it.
click here ➜ Request a refund for apps and content bought from Apple - Apple Support
That usually points to a pending charge. Something you tried to buy once but never completed, or a free trial on an app that was never canceled and renewed into a paid subscription but was never successfully paid for.
Ignoring free trials, or active subscriptions or blocking the charges from your banks or payment method issuer's side does not make the charge go away. You are held responsible for any charge initiated on the platform until you complete it.
In these cases, you legally owe that amount and must pay it before you can again make use of the App Store features, including free apps.
If you are the family organizer of a family sharing group or share your payment method with anybody, they may have started a purchase that was unable to complete.
At this point, as mentioned, if it's asking for a payment method and a charge is trying to be completed, there is no way around it. You must add a payment method to cover the charge. Once successfully paid, you can request a refund for it.
click here ➜ Request a refund for apps and content bought from Apple - Apple Support
It may be asking because you have something for which you nee to pay.
If it is asking for a payment method then you have no option but to enter one such as a credit or debit card. Read the support article https://support.apple.com/HT201266 about how to do that.
Apple's official support articles present multiple statements* about situations requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. You do not always have to have one, but if you are encountering one of those situations then you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue your purchase. See https://support.apple.com/HT201266 The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. You might even be able to remove it again immediately once Apple has seen it.
This article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): https://support.apple.com/HT202631 .
If you have already entered a payment method, use the “Add a payment method” link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution. Also check this resource --> https://support.apple.com/HT203005
* Ref.:
https://support.apple.com/HT201266
"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file." Note that there may be a differences between “purchasing” an app for money, and simply “getting” one for free. I get free ones with no payment method.
https://support.apple.com/HT207165
- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."
https://support.apple.com/102632
- 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.
https://support.apple.com/HT204053
- "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."
https://support.apple.com/HT201359
- 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.
https://support.apple.com/HT211187
"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."
We can’t see your Apple Account, and can’t see any billing or purchases or subscriptions.
Contact Apple Support and discuss this with them.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/106932
I’d guess there was an outstanding payment that Apple believes they are owed.
Asked for payment method for free apps and attempt to charge my card
