Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.

Removing account balance

need to remove my account balance in order to change region, since I can’t connect my payment methods I can’t buy anything to nullify acc balance myself


9 replies

Buy(not subscribe to) something at least as expensive than your balance and use a different payment method from the current region for any extra amount; if you can't, click here and ask the iTunes Store staff to zero it.


The people on these boards are mostly other customers, don't have inside access to Apple's servers, and can't remove it.


(265260)

Hello!


I see you want to empty your account balance. The people on this forum—other users like yourself—cannot do this for you but there are two ways you can try:


#1. If you still have a valid credit or debit card from your original country, purchase an item for slightly more than your balance. The remainder will be billed to your card, leaving you with nothing in your account balance. This is the only solution for you to empty your balance if cannot contact Apple Support. This method is the easiest and you get to use your money yourself instead of giving it to Apple.


#2. Ask Apple Support to remove and keep the balance. Live support is not available in all countries.

- Click on the special empty-balance request, chat link at the bottom of this support article ➔ Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support

- General Apple support and service contact ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support If live support options are available they will show near the bottom left. Telephone numbers may only work when calling from the same country. If numbers show as colored links, click on them for more options.

- With an iPhone, iPad, or Vision, you may be able to chat using the Apple Support App if it is available in your country ➔ https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044


If you can neither add a payment method nor contact Apple, your alternative is to create a new Apple Account when you are in the new country. Avoid doing that if at all possible. It may cause many complications with your current account content.


When changing account regions there’s a full set of guidelines in this support article ➔

Change your Apple Account country or region - Apple Support



Thank you for reaching out. 🤗


There are many parameters that need to be taken before changing regions because currency valuation is not the same across various regions.


If you are changing regions:

  • Spend any remaining Apple Account balance: You can spend your remaining balance on the App Store, other Apple services or in some countries and regions, Apple products and accessories. If you’re not sure if you have a balance, check your Apple Account balance.
  • Clear a low Apple Account balance: If your balance is less than the cost of a single item in the App Store or other Apple services, learn how to clear your balance.
  • Cancel subscriptions that block a country or region change: Cancel any subscriptions that block a country or region change, then wait until the end of the subscription period. 
  • Wait for pending activity to clear: Wait for any memberships, pre-orders, movie rentals or Season Passes to complete. You can cancel a pre-order. Also wait for any pending refunds from Apple to process.
  • Check your Family Sharing status: If you’re a part of a Family Sharing group, you might not be able to change your country or region. Learn how to leave a Family Sharing group.
  • Have a valid payment method ready: You might need to enter a valid payment method for your new country or region. If you don’t want to enter a payment method, wait until you're physically in your new country or region. Then create a new Apple Account.
  • Redownload your content: Some types of content might not be available in your new country or region. Redownload your apps, music, movies, TV shows and books on any devices that you might use to play or read them in the future.
  • If you need to empty your balance: Contact Apple Support to request a reset of your account balance to zero.


For full details, learn how to → Change Regions for step-by-step instructions.


Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

As I have mentioned and according to Apple:


If your balance is less than the cost of a single item in the App Store or other Apple services, contact Apple Support to clear your balance.


Take care! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Hello ~If you are trying to zero your balance before changing regions…you may purchase an item from the App Store for more than your balance and the remainder will be billed to your credit card on file thus zeroing your balance . You may also go to lower left hand corner and click on Support and they can zero it for you or…


Contact Apple for support and service


Also if you are changing regions take a look through this article as well…


Change your Apple ID country or region - Apple Support


~Katana-San~

You omitted to tell us to which country your account is set, but if none of the contact methods work then you will have to set up a new account in your new country. You cannot change country if there is any remaining balance.

I can’t buy anything since my payment methods can’t be accepted most likely because it other country cards, while my balance 0.74 is not enough to buy anything.

Link you provide says There are currently no assisted support options for your selection available. You can access the resources on Apple’s support site for more help.

Thank you for your reply, my current payment methods are not being accepted , so I can’t buy, while link you share doesn’t help me, I tried to do same way before posting in community

Hi and thanks for answer, but links you provide doesn’t work for me, I guess because of my region