why do i have to have a payment method to download free updates to my phone

If my credit/debit card is out of funds for the moment, I can’t get any updates to any of my apps. Nor can I download any new, free apps to my S6 Plus. Why is that? When I try to “get” an app from the App Store, I click install, and a little box pops up saying I need to verify my payment method. is this just standard? If so, I’m gonna have to go back to an Android.

Why do you think that you do, what happens when you try to download app updates ? What message/prompt shows ?

After logging in and verifying your payment details are you continuing to get the message ? If you are try removing the card, and either leave it as 'none' or add it back