John S. NOTL

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How can I access free apps without a credit card?

I'm trying to create an Apple ID for some elderly folks that want something as simple as checking the weather and potentially other free apps but at no point can I create an account without a credit card, an idea that's very bad for folks that are not at all technically savvy.

Various guides suggest there's a 'none' option for payment type if you attempt to create the account with the need to obtain a free app in the app store but this option does not exist, we only have three credit card options. If I change to USA, I have more options like Paypal but none of them is 'none'. Also tried the UK, still didn't work.

Can anyone advise me as to how we can 'review terms' without entering a credit card? It's difficult for me to explain they can't do as much as they want to do with their new $400+ purchase because they need to use their credit card for authorization.

iPad Air, iOS 8.1.2

Posted on Jan 17, 2015 10:14 AM

I have this question too

Q: How can I access free apps without a credit card?

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by ChrisJ4203,

ChrisJ4203 Jan 17, 2015 10:16 AM in response to John S. NOTL
Level 9 (59,808 points)

iPhone

Jan 17, 2015 10:16 AM in response to John S. NOTL

See this support document for information. Create an iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store account without a credit card or other payment method - Apple Suppor…
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by John S. NOTL,

John S. NOTL Jan 17, 2015 10:30 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
Level 1 (0 points)

Jan 17, 2015 10:30 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Yes, that's the one I followed. If you read it, you'll see that it leads you down a path "add a credit card and remove it" more or less, which is not an option in this instance.
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by King_Penguin,

King_Penguin Jan 17, 2015 10:37 AM in response to John S. NOTL
Level 10 (135,625 points)

iTunes

Jan 17, 2015 10:37 AM in response to John S. NOTL

The steps on that link work for creating a new account without having to give card details - but only work when creating a new account from scratch, if you are trying to use them on an existing/partially created account then you won't get the 'none' option, that will only show after (valid) card details have been entered.

You could see if this post by mountaingoatgirl lets you review the account without needing to enter credit card details : https://discussions.apple.com/message/24303054#24303054

If not then you will either need to enter credit card details, or create a new account and use the steps on the link in ChrisJ4203's post when doing so.
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by ChrisJ4203,

ChrisJ4203 Jan 17, 2015 10:40 AM in response to John S. NOTL
Level 9 (59,808 points)

iPhone

Jan 17, 2015 10:40 AM in response to John S. NOTL

As King Penguin stated, you needed to use the instructions to create new. If you have already created, then this support document should explain the reasoning for you. Why can’t I select None when I edit my Apple ID payment information? - Apple Support
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by John S. NOTL,

John S. NOTL Jan 17, 2015 10:46 AM in response to King_Penguin
Level 1 (0 points)

Jan 17, 2015 10:46 AM in response to King_Penguin

I originally tried to create this from scratch using the suggestions to go for a "Free" app, it still wouldn't show 'none'.

I tried the suggestion from mountaingoatgirl but the 'redeem' option still wants a review of terms which you can't fully agree to without a credit card.

I'm in the support queue with iTunes, spoke with one person who's going through the steps now. Nice folks, hoping they can activate it without a credit card. I've tried every back door click link option I can think of but I can't bypass the credit card question.
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by John S. NOTL,Helpful

John S. NOTL Jan 17, 2015 10:55 AM in response to King_Penguin
Level 1 (0 points)

Jan 17, 2015 10:55 AM in response to King_Penguin

Unfortunately my call in to iTunes lead to the response that the terms have changed and you must use a credit card or a gift card. If you don't have a credit card, you must purchase a gift card and register with that.

That's... not good.
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by John S. NOTL,

John S. NOTL Jan 17, 2015 11:02 AM in response to John S. NOTL
Level 1 (0 points)

Jan 17, 2015 11:02 AM in response to John S. NOTL

I called over the neighbour and used his credit card then I was able to go back in and change it back to none. What a pain in the ***!!
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by King_Penguin,

King_Penguin Jan 17, 2015 11:04 AM in response to John S. NOTL
Level 10 (135,625 points)

iTunes

Jan 17, 2015 11:04 AM in response to John S. NOTL

Edit : your last reply appeared as I was typing this.

I've just tried the steps and they worked ok for me, I've got the 'none' option for a new account e.g.

These are the steps that I used to give people (free apps are now labelled as 'Get') : Re: i want to create an appleid and i dont have credit card. the instruction that you discribe at the top is not working…, and that is what I've just used.

If you update the primary email address on the account that you've already created then you should be able to try using to create another account - you can change the primary email address by logging into it via http://appleid.apple.com, or by logging in via the Store > View Account on a computer's iTunes. You can create a 'throw-away' email account to put on the existing account via http://gmail.com or http://hotmail.com

I'd be surprised if the info that you've just been given about gift cards or credit cards is correct, iTunes gift cards aren't available in a lot of countries (and they are country-specific) and a lot of people don't have credit cards - they'd effectively be preventing a lot of people form having accounts.
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