Q: i have no credit card

There are instructions on this page for how to create a new account without giving a credit card number : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534 i.e. select a free app and click on 'create Apple ID' when 'buying' it

What worked for me (by coincidence) was to use a voucher code.

I clicked the "clickandbuy" option but then instead of clicking to continue, I clicked "Click here to redeem a voucher" or whatever it said. I filled in a code (which was actually one that I had already redeemed on my other account) and while it did tell me at the end that the code had been redeemed, before that it did  at the "nothing" option to pay options.

Of course first you need to get ahold of a voucher code... (unless it also works when you enter a non-valid code)

These instructions DO NOT WORK. The instructions state you have an option to select None as your payment type. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

And once it fails you are stuck halfway through the process. Everytime you try to download a free app it asks you to verify your information, and insists you must supply CC information. The instructions state download a free app, which insists you verify and supply a CC. And around and round we go.

My God Apple, could you possibly make this any more difficult.

I've just tried it and does work (and these are user-to-user forums, Apple are not here). I selected a free app, clicked on 'create Apple ID' when 'buying' it, created an account and verified it, and I was then able to download a free app without needing to enter any payment details.

Yes, as I have found on another post if you have an existing Apple Id you are completely and totally screwed.

Which is ironic as this is a new account created TODAY. I made the mistake of creating the account then trying to download the "free" app. Now I'm screwed.

My only solution seems to be create a dummy email somewhere and use that to create yet another Apple Id. Which I will promptly forget the password to.

A better solution would be for Apple to fix a seriously flawed process.

I can confirm this just worked for me. I used another iTunes account to gift myself a 99¢ app, then used the new Apple ID to redeem it. "None" was provided as an payment method option during account creation, and afterward I was able to download a free app.

When downloading it prompted me to set up additional security questions, but I was able to tap "Not Now" and continue without doing so.

WHERE THE **** IS THE NONE BOTTON HERE??????????????

You MUST NOT create your account prior to going into the App Store and attempting to purchase a free app.THIS IS KEY and easy to overlook the first time you read the instructions.

Once you attempt to purchase the app and are prompted to sign in/create an account THEN AND ONLY THEN do you create an account. Then (apparantly) you will have the option to select NONE.

If you did not follow these steps EXACTLY then you now have NO WAY TO DO THIS with your now existing account.

In my case I created my account then immediately tried to purchase a free app as per the instructions. This did not work obviously. You have to attempt to purchase BEFORE creating your account. Talk about counter intuitive.

Your only recourse now is to "purchase" a free app with a credit card (it *must* be a FREE app). Then manage your account from within iTunes and delete the card from your account.

I said it before. I'll say it again: this is a flawed process.

I love my daughter and hate apple and have spent over an hour of my time running in circles with this, hitting nthe credit card wall and / or "you are not old enough to download apps" - my daughter is not old enough to download free childrens apps!!!!

I am with Ildiots Suck with this.  The process apple have ***** big time.  As I said, I won't go near them.  I bought a small samsung y for my daughters a few months ago, which is great for children, and no problems getting them free apps.

They still return to their ipod touch because of the screen size, hence my headache today, but when they are old enough it will be samsung / sony / htc / anythingbutapple for a larger phone.

As someone said, this is a peer to peer site.  If they had any sense and wanted to avoid the dark pit they're heading in (Samsung now sell more galaxy than apple sell iphone!) they need to open things up.

This is sopt on to the problem im currently having :/

Seriously, who designed this and said "Ayep, this system could NOT POSSIBLY backfire EVER."?

I honestly cannot believe this, and my opinion of these people is pretty low already.

I just want a free app. Is that too much, Apple? Is it?

How stipid can the people working at apple be? That is the question. So flawed and old school. By getting the credit card info does not mean you can force ppl to buy from your store. Dirty management tricks that's all I can say.

Nobody is forcing you to enter a credit card number, there are instructions on this page for how to create a new account without giving one : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2534