How do I dispute an unpaid order and download free apps on my Apple Account?

To fix this issue, you must first pay the outstanding balance on your account because Apple blocks all downloads even free ones until unpaid orders are settled

Pay the Unpaid Balance

• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
• Tap your Name / Apple Account at the top.
• Tap Payment & Shipping and update or add a valid payment method so Apple can clear the pending charge.
• Check your purchase history by going to Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History to see what caused the unpaid order. 

Dispute the Charge and Request a Refund

• Go to report a problem in your web browser and sign in with your Apple Account.
• Tap or click the menu that says "I'd like to" and choose "Request a refund".
• Pick the reason why you are requesting a refund (such as "I didn't mean to buy this" or an unauthorized purchase), then select Next.
• Choose the specific app or item from the unpaid order, then select Submit.
• Wait 24 to 48 hours for Apple to review your request. Once the balance is paid or credited, you will be able to download free apps again

Hello~ Who ordered it? If you owe Apple money…it simply must be paid. If not your account will remain in its current condition. After payment is made you may ask for a refund.

Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support

Also…

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Unless this is a scam you are seeing in an email or a message and there isn’t actually any purchase, purchases are indeed “authorized” by somebody with access to your accounts, or equipment, or with your permission. If the charge is valid then you have to pay for the item. Below is information on tracking possible sources of charges.

The support article If you see 'apple.com/bill' on your billing statement - Apple Support and the related article Get help with charges from apple.com/bill - Apple Support explain how you can check your iTunes and App Stores purchase history, cancel subscriptions (remember that these need to be canceled at least 24 hours in advance), and track possible sources of unrecognized Apple charges you may see on a bill. These may be purchases by Family Sharing members, others sharing your card (such as a spouse or partner, or a second Apple Account you have; you may not see a receipt).

The article also provides a specific link for contacting Apple if you cannot trace the source of charges, e.g., if you subscribed to something directly with a third party, see: About purchases not billed through the App Store or Apple In-App Purchase - Apple Support instead. In that case you need to work directly with the vendor, not Apple. See also: Fabulous SAS - Unethical app, please dele… - Apple Community

Could somebody have signed in with your account (very difficult)? Read this article if you think your Apple Account has been compromised. --> If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

If using Family Sharing and viewing purchase history under Report A Problem, make sure the “Apple Account” box is set to “All.” The person making the purchase would have to request a refund from Apple ➞ Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support Remember that many apps have trial periods with subscriptions that then start automatically unless you cancel them in time. If a Family Sharing member made the purchase then you need to discuss this with that person. They would have to initiate any refund request.

If a reporting a problem request is unsuccessful or you have another issue try contacting Apple. Click here ➞ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support Go to the bottom of the window and you may see options for a telephone call or chat session. This is not available in all countries and the phone numbers tend to not be international.

I would add to Katana-San's helpful post that the only way a purchase can be made on your device is by double clicking the side button with that amount and terms showing on the screen, followed by Authorization with Face ID or Passcode. So as was stated, the first thing to figure out is who has your Passcode in order to do that if that is what happened.

You may need to change your Passcode in order to prevent that from happening again, or their are several methods Apple provides to prevent purchases if you are allowing someone else to use your device, although you have to be proactive and use one of these methods first.

• Require an unique Password for purchases independent of your Passcode
• Use Screen Time to prevent access to the App Store.
• Use Screen Time to prevent in-app purchases

As you can see, you are responsible for the actions taken on your device and for protecting it with the Passcode that only you know when created by you. In most cases all transactions in the App Store are final due to the explicit actions required to make a purchase, but at times Apple may provide a compassionate refund. That is not possible on a Pending transaction and you would only be able to request a refund after it has been paid. You will not be able to use the App Store for any reason while you owe money from a previous authorized transaction.

You don’t.

try deleting your payment method altogether then try to download the free app. It worked for me, but they WILL charge you for that charge before they remove it or allow you to make one of your own free will.

this IS something they need to resolve.