why does it say i have a card connected to my account when i dont and its saying i csnt upfate or download any apps because of the card problem ?

Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID and check your payment information is current. Even if you only want something that is free this will be required if you have any payment form on record and possibly before you can remove payment information, if desired.

- Are you (still) using a valid payment method? --> Payment methods that you can use in the iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store - https://support.apple.com/HT202631 (Discussions on this forum mention some countries do not accept debit cards, and even if they do some items cannot be purchased with debit cards.)

- If your payment method is declined, or you have a billing issue with a previous purchase in the iTunes Store - https://support.apple.com/HT203005 - various reasons why payment method is declined.

- If this abruptly started happening try removing and re-entering your payment information - Change or remove your Apple ID payment information - https://support.apple.com/HT201266

- Do the name, address (all spelling, letter case and punctuation), and card numbers exactly match those you have entered? You didn't mis-type anything?

- You entered the 3 digit security code for the card? Correctly?

- The country for the bank and your address are the same as the iTunes Store country you are using?

- See the end of the document linked above for special measures that may be necessary for some cards, plus about contacting your financial institution to make sure your records match.

If you still have a problem contact Apple:

iTunes Store - Contact Us - https://www.apple.com/emea/support/itunes/contact.html

What is the text of the message that you are getting ? Usually you don't have to have a card linked to an account except in particular circumstances (as per the bottom link below).

Have you tried just logging into the account (not when tying to download something) and seeing if you can remove it : 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

KP: Do you know if it is possible to set to "none" if an existing card is there but has problems verifying? I saw one post by Phil1234 saying flat out it was not possible to set to none if there was a problem with an existing card (no pending purchase, just a verification problem) but I'd like to get other opinions.

As long as there aren't any problems with the account (e.g. owing money), and not a Family Share organiser, I can't see why you wouldn't be able to select 'none' by just logging into the account - on threads where I've posted I can't remember seeing anybody reply saying that they can't (not that I've seen anybody reply saying that they could, but I assume if they still had problems they would post again)

Thanks. 🙂