Mac App Store - No Credit Card

Why does apple make everyone jump through hoops when they can just add a simple "None" option whenever they are asked to a payment method? Instead, you have to navigate through these "simple" steps which are obviously not that simple.

Why do you need to make a WHOLE NEW ACCOUNT when they can just add in a "None" option to a pre-existing account?

That is a question for Apple. ASC is a user to user forum, no one here speaks for Apple, Apple does not answer questions here, nor has Apple ever gotten into the details of why the online stores work as they do. Apple has provided instructions for setting up an account without a credit card. I have followed them myself, they are indeed simple.

For Canadians it is a different story, see pic below where there is no option to select "None"

so my question is why is there not an option for Canadians for my kid to download?

AWFC wrote:

For Canadians it is a different story,

No it is not.

See pic below where it does display the None option.

why is there not an option for Canadians for my kid to download?

There is. See my photo (from the Canadian iTunes store) above.

Did you follow the instruction posted (far too many times) in this thread about attempting to first get a free item from the iTunes store? (Step 4)

Make sure you are not signed into the iTunes store before doing so. (Step 1)

See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

The important thing is that you have to follow the instructions precisely. You have to create a NEW Apple ID and iTunes account. These instructions are not about using an existing Apple ID.

yes you are correct, that is one mistake that alot of people make (inlcuding myself) is that it does not work in using an existing apple id but has to be a new apple id to be created and have tested that to be working

i guess my intention was to change an existing apple id to not have to register a credit card. the apple id was created but did not complete the whole registration process as I did not want to enter in the credit card, now it will not allow me to add that option in or is there an option?

I would like to use that apple id instead of creating another new one if possible

help appreciated

If you want to use an existing Apple ID then you will need to supply a bank card. However, you should be able to turn around and take that bank card right back out. I have never used an iTunes gift card. But you should also be able to fund an Apple ID with an iTunes gift card.

PEOPLE I have tried 5 to 10 times to create a new account and there WASNT A NONE BUTTON. And then, in the 11th time it appeared!!!! WOW!!! so it must be a glitch in the system...

hey just incase anyone is still wondering about this, This Article provides a working walkthrough of how to create an apple id and select the "none" option. you MUST create it via iTunes app store, following the instructions exactly. you cannot use an existing account or an e-mail address already used for an apple id. after you create the apple id in iTunes, the id can be used for free downloads from iTunes store, Mac osx app store, ipod/ipad app store, ect. but again IT MUST BE CREATED IN ITUNES, creating it anywhere else will not allow the "none" option.

i am using the most current updates of iTunes and Mac App store. and this worked for me

http://10minutemail.com can be used to get a free e-mail with no registration if yours is tied up in an existing apple id and you dont want to make a new one. just remember to write it down somewhere because they are hard to remember.

i hope this helped someone

This Apple Knowledge Base article has been offered here many times. You're illiterate, right?

Well I'm new to anything i apple, would never buy one myself but for work I can confirm that on a new Ipad3 I was eventualy able to get the "none" option for payment. Full reset, new email account on hotmail used, gave it a name, address,& tel no, not exactly correct of course. Now playing temple run which was the free app we chose. Have fun. hardest part was logging in here and having to enter the password 4 times before I could post

I was getting frustrated with this, too, until I noticed the "none" option at the bottom of the credit card information. When I clicked that option, voila! Success! My free ap started downloading immediately on my iPad.

I did follow step as apple support said here

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534

And it work. Now I got apple ID and able to get free app.

cheers

Yep, it works, but it is quite silly still though. It states "If you have registered your product or used any Apple services, you should follow this article to use an existing Apple ID with the iTunes Store or Mac App Store."

However, this option DOES NOT work, as it provides no way to use an existing Apple ID without a credit card. Hence, I was forced to create a second Apple ID account to access the App Store, even though it seems they themselves wants us to have only one Apple ID (sentence just before my quote clearly states exactly that). The level of stupidity in this system is quite amazing. It makes absolutely no sense that they should need my credit card in order for me to get free apps (other than to make future purchases more likely).

Hi Chris,

I had an existing account without choosing any payment method.

How could I proceed to update the info without credit card details?