Why am I being directed to pay for updating free apps and installing free apps
Apple uses a valid payment form as verification for eligibility to make purchases in a country. You do not get charged but you do have to enter payment information.
I have a credit card entered and it keeps saying "payment declined". If I'm not being charged, what is being declined?
You can then remove the payment information immediately after adding it.
Open iTunes > Store > View Account (type in your password). You can edit your payment information to not include your Credit Card. This will allow you to download free apps and updates, but you have to put payment information in initially.
Change or remove your Apple ID payment information - Apple Support
Apple will post a purchase for $1 to your account to validate it. Once validated, the charge is reversed.
iTunes Store & Mac App Store: About payment card authorization holds - https://support.apple.com/HT201292 ~$1 to verify card, later removed.
If your credit card company‘s records don‘t match your records in the iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/HT203208 see also tips in https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4245338
Is this a card issued in the country's store you are trying to use?
Why am I being directed to pay for updating and installing free apps?
