Apple wants me to pay to update my FREE apps? Asking for my security code and credit card info.

You must have a valid payment method in your iTunes account, even for free apps and free updates.

If the iTunes store says your information is wrong this means that the credit card or debit card associated with your account is being refused by the card issuer. First check the following:

1. The card number is correct
2. The name in iTunes is identical to the name on the card
3. The address in iTunes matches the billing address of the card exactly
4. The CCV code (3 digit code on the back of the card) matches
5. The expiration date in iTunes is the same as the one on the card
6. You have sufficient credit in the account
7. The card is issued in the same country as the iTunes store you are using

If all of these are correct contact your card issuer. The "Payment Declined" message originates from the issuer; iTunes just passes the message from the issuer to you. There is nothing for Apple to fix; you need to fix it with your issuer. Also, Apple is not here, so there is no point in telling Apple anything in this user-to-user support forum.

If you have a card on your account it's details have to be complete - you are not charged for downloading updates to apps, they are free. If you don't want to enter the card's code see if you can remove the card : Change or remove your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support

I still don't understand why I would need to put my card or bank information down if the app is free

You don't. If it's a new account then whether you will need to enter payment details before the account can be used will depend upon how you created the account i.e. whether you used these instructions : Create or use your Apple ID without a payment method - Apple Support

If you are a family organiser in family sharing you have to have a payment method on the account.

If you currently have a card on the account see if you can remove it : Change or remove your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support

1. You are not paying to update a free app. As has been said dozens of times in this thread.

2. You are required to keep a valid payment method on your account. Apple periodically verifies that the account is still valid if you have a credit or debit card. If there is any problem with the card (expired, no balance, compromised, etc) you must fix it. If your iTunes account is set to "none" you cannot have a balance due on the account. If you do you must resolve it.

There is more information here: iTunes Store & Mac App Store: About payment card authorization holds

and here:Creating an iTunes account without a credit card

and here: If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support

All app updates are, and always have been free, to download. But when you have a payment method on an account it has to be a valid payment method and pass the iTunes validation, that applies to whatever you are trying to download, including app updates. Either increase your balance on the card, put a different card on the account, or see if you can remove it : Change or remove your Apple ID payment information in the iTunes Store - Apple Support

Same/similar question here. I do not agree that one must have correct payment method on file for a free app. I've been downloading free apps for months with no requests for my cc info. Now, suddenly, I'm required to provide payments for free apps? Why? Sounds like a security breach to me. Asking for a $1 hold is BS, IMO.

edit: found a fix/workaround. Click on the bottom option in the payment method screen that says None. It should allow you to download the free app.

As long as you don't owe iTunes money, aren't a family organiser in family sharing, and none of the other scenarios on this page apply : Why can’t I select None when I edit my Apple ID payment information? - Apple Support , you shouldn't need to have a card on your account, but if you do it has to be a valid card that's accepted by the iTunes validation, even if only downloading free items. If the card isn't valid see if you can remove it (not when trying to download something) ; if you owe iTunes money pay what you owe.

Changing/removing payment info : Change or remove your Apple ID payment information in the iTunes Store - Apple Support

If you don't get the 'none' option on the payment details screen : Why can’t I select None when I edit my Apple ID payment information? - Apple Support

Creating an iTunes account without a credit card

If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support

See If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support. You shouldn't need to keep a payment method on file to update apps or download free content.

tt2

I'll split hairs. You don't need to have an active payment method if you have no active subscriptions, no outstanding balance due to the store, Apple's systems have verified that you are using a store in the correct region, and you only want to update apps or download free content. Details in If you can't choose None when you edit your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support.

tt2

Apps that have 'get' instead of price button are free to download. If you don't want to give card details you need to use these instructions when creating an account : Create or use your Apple ID without a payment method - Apple Support

However if you are getting that prompt now it probably means there is an issue with your account that you need to resolve. If there is an outstanding charge which Apple haven't been able to collect they will block updates and free apps until you sort it out.

tt2

What is the exact text of the message that you are getting ? Are you only being asked to verify your payment details e.g. to confirm your id and that it's your account ? App updates are, and always have been, free to download.

I had the same problem because I bought an in-app subscription of $50 but I paid it on a credit card that was on family sharing. So after they charged the account with 50 dollars, I cancelled the subscription, but not my own, so I would still have to pay 50 dollars for the next month since it was a subscription. I don’t have 50 dollars in my account so I owe 50 dollars for the subscription and can’t update or install any apps but the other account that paid the initial 50 dollars can.