Payment Method for FREE APPS??????

If it is asking for a payment method then you have no option but to enter one such as a credit or debit card. Read the support article Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support about how to do that.

Apple's official support articles present multiple statements* about situations requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. You do not always have to have one, but if you are encountering one of those situations then you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue your purchase. See Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. You might even be able to remove it again immediately once Apple has seen it.

This article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support .

If you have already entered a payment method, use the “Add a payment method” link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution. Also check this resource --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

* Ref.:

Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support

"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file." Note that there may be a differences between “purchasing” an app for money, and simply “getting” one for free. I get free ones with no payment method.

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support

- "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."

How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.

- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

The ability to complete an app purchase on the App Store requires a functioning payment method.

A payment method is often required for free apps to verify your identity, prevent fraud and ensure a streamlined process if you decide to make in-app purchases or purchase paid apps later.

It also helps companies manage age restrictions and regional content availability.

Check your payment method in Settings ➢ [your name] ➢ Payment & Shipping, ensure it’s valid and update if needed. Also, sign out and back into your Apple Account, then try again.

If it still fails, contact Apple Support directly.



Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

We're just users, like you, so we can't answer why Apple does things.

You can't get round the requirement to have a payment method on your account. You might be able to add Apple gift cards instead of a credit card, if that's the problem.

• You don't have a choice if you want to use the App Store.
• There is no bypass.
• You cannot turn it off.

But, you also are not required to use the App Store. Developers provide apps in the store with a number of different monetization options:

• Subscription
• Pay to download
• Free to download with Ads
• Free to download with in-app purchases.

Typically developers are not spending their time and money creating apps without a method for recouping their expenses, as it is a business for them. It is the least you could do to have a payment method available for downloading their apps to support them if you choose to use any in-app purchases.

You would probably understand a bit better if it was you spending your time and money in creating an app with whatever monetization method you choose. Thankfully Apple has the Developers backs and supports them, otherwise all you would have is junk to download.

I think we have all agreed that if you are being asked for a payment method, then you must include one and that is exactly what the OP is facing.

It really makes no difference on whether older accounts are grandfathered in where they can download free apps without a payment method or what Apple means by "purchase" in any Support Article. Clearly viewing your "Purchase History" and all support articles relating to the purchase history will include apps that are downloaded for free and not what I would call a purchase, but Apple does. Even creating an Apple Account without a payment method and using the App Store are entirely different things.

Just trying to keep on track with what the OP is asking for their issue, without getting into the weeds by going in all different directions. It can be quite overwhelming for an OP that has not even replied yet. Certainly Support Articles by Apple can be helpful, but also our own personal experience and what we have learned from others. In this case:

Why does Apple insist that we have a payment method when downloading FREE apps?

None of us speak for Apple and there are no support articles that explain "why" that is the case.

That shouldn't even be allowed?

It is.

How do I bypass this redundant and useless feature?

You can't.

How do I turn it off?

You don't.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

but anyone setting up an account now may be required to add a payment method. There used to be a support article on how to set up an account with no payment method. That's been gone for a long time.

Yes, that bit about the first time is still here Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support

but elsewhere in this thread it was stated that a payment method always has to be there to use the App Store. That's where I disagree. Maybe I am grandfathered in on something (but who is to say that the OP isn't?) and I am a 1% exception but still there's the 1%.

As for having to have a payment method in order to create an account, it is still possible. Have a look at:

How to create a new Apple Account - Apple Support

"4. Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase."

Even then there is a fine distinction here as to what they mean by "purchase" since there is "get[ting]" and app and buying one (for money).

We have to read what Apple actually says and avoid going too far in interpretation.

Sometime back, you could have a credit card free App Store account. But also back then, a lot of apps actually were free with no strings attached.

Now, it's difficult to find such a thing. Nearly everything you can get for "free" also has In-App purchases. Even apps that only say Get, which used to mean actually free, doesn't anymore.

Because almost all apps now have some sort of option to make purchases, you need to have a credit card on file.

You don’t bypass it.

Either add a method or don’t install the app.

It’s your choice.

Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support

Incidentally, I have many free apps (and I only have free apps) from the App Store and I have never ever had to enter a payment method. If you see somebody saying that everybody must always enter one then they are mistaken. It is not an absolute requirement but if you are being asked to enter one then you may be downloading something with a trial which automatically turns into a paid subscription.

Limnos wrote:

Incidentally, I have many free apps (and I only have free apps) from the App Store and I have never ever had to enter a payment method. If you see somebody saying that everybody must always enter one then they are mistaken. It is not an absolute requirement but if you are being asked to enter one then you may be downloading something with a trial which automatically turns into a paid subscription.

It is also possible that, when you set up your account, it was when no payment method was still allowed and you weren't required to change it, but anyone setting up an account now may be required to add a payment method. There used to be a support article on how to set up an account with no payment method. That's been gone for a long time.

Apple must have changed it back. For a while there, Apple's own page on how to create an ID without a credit card had been removed.

But apparently, though I can't test it without creating another account, users can now do this again.

I agree with what you say, I just wanted readers of this entire thread to not take away reasons that Apple doesn't actually say. All we know is what does Apple says, and things we observe. An effect does not always indicate what the cause is.

As you note, Apple will at times ask for a payment method. If they do, you have to add one. Period.

It doesn't mean a payment method always has to be there or it has to be there when creating an account.

Same applies to a bunch of other statements made for things observed and supposed their reasons for why Apple requires them.

Hello ~Apple’s playground…Apple’s rules.

~Katana-San~

Thank you. 👏👏👏