Cannot download iWork/iLife for free on iPad Air

The freeness is tied to the apple ID used to activate the new device.

How it should work, use your apple ID to activate the new device. Then go into iTunes and sign into iTunes with that same apple ID. Then when you try to download those apps they will show up as free instead of at a cost. (Being tied to the ID is because the apps are free for you guys that bought new devices, people that haven't bought new devices still need to pay for the apps, so it appears at a cost unless a person is signed in with the apple ID used to activate a new device)

If you're signed in and it still wont' work, try contacting iTunes support

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/

I do understand when you activate a new device it does take a little bit of time for the app store to catch up with you getting the app for free. So I'd suggest activating, wait a couple of hours then try to download the apps. If they still dont' show up as free, then contact iTunes support and see what they can do for you.

After activating your iPad, go to the App Store and search for your free apps:

1. Pages

2. Numbers

3. Keynote

4. iPhoto

5. iMovie

6. GarageBand

If apps are still showing the price: sign out>reboot>and sign in again

Settings>iTunes and App Store>Apple ID

New devices activated after Sep 1, 2013 and running iOS 7 or later will qualify for the free iWork suite (Pages, Keynote, & Numbers). iPhoto, and iMovie (which are not part of iWork) are also free. If you activated your device before Sep 1, 2013, your device does not qualify.

Try this:

Go here to verify your device registration (you'll need to login using your Apple ID credentials):

https://supportprofile.apple.com/

You can view your registered device(s) here and if there are any you've missed registering, you can do that as well. You can also register new devices here. Afterwards, visit the App Store and your free apps should be available to you.

*IF* this does not work, continue as follows:

Log out of the iTunes Store on your device:

Settings>iTunes & App Store...tap your Apple ID, then select "Sign Out"

Reset your device:

Device Reset (won't affect settings/data/music/apps/etc)

1. Press and hold (& continue to hold) BOTH the Sleep/Wake button & the Home button.

2. Continue to hold BOTH (ignoring any other messages that may show) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

3. Release BOTH buttons when you see the Apple logo and allow the device to boot normally.

After the device has restarted, sign back in to the App Store as above. Try to download the apps again from the App Store.

How to get all the iWork apps, iPhoto, and iMovie for free on an eligible iPhone or iPad

http://www.imore.com/how-get-all-iwork-apps-iphoto-and-imovie-free-eligible-ipho ne-or-ipad

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Did you buy a previous version? Free is free for people who have installed the software (and paid for it).

Barry

oops, I may have misspoken :(.

I had them installed before, so I assumed that they were available just for previous users.

Barry