Cannot download apps due to a failed subscription payment

A pending charge may mean you have something such as a subscription trial that transitioned to a paid subscription but there was no method available in your account to pay for it. This support article about how apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed https://support.apple.com/118244 says:

“If none of your payment methods can be charged, your account shows a negative balance. You can't buy, download, or update more apps or items until you update your payment method. ”

You can contact Apple ( https://support.apple.com/106932 ) but the standard resolution in this case is to pay what you owe and then optionally request a refund.

- Refer to https://support.apple.com/HT202631 to find out what payment methods you can use.

Read this article about how to add a payment method to your Apple Account -->https://support.apple.com/HT201266 You can also add money to your account balance by redeeming an Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card --> https://support.apple.com/HT201209

If this is the result of an unwanted subscription, read this article --> https://support.apple.com/HT202039 You will likely still need to pay for any amount owed.

This article tells you how to request a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple -->

https://support.apple.com/HT204084

- Note that If the charge is pending, you canʼt request a refund yet. After the charge goes through, try to request a refund again."

- Go to this page https://support.apple.com/billing to find out how to view your purchase history, cancel subscriptions, request refunds, and for related purchasing services.

You cannot clear a Pending charge and it will need to be paid before you are allowed to download apps again. Cancelling a subscription does not remove any charge, it just prevents it from being renewed again.

When you start a Free Trial/Subscription, there is a message on the Approval Screen that says to avoid the renewal charge you should cancel at least a day before that renewal date. It also requires you to double click the side button, followed by Authentication with Face ID/Touch ID or Passcode to agree to those terms. If you wait until you are charged or do not cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal, then you owe that amount that you had previously agreed to pay.

The people responding to you here do not work for Apple. We have no control over charges made to your account. While you are welcome to contact Apple itself it is unlikely Apple would waive any charge in this instance. You will need to do as has been provided in previous replies. If you do not receive a refund then you will have to regard this as a lesson to read fine print more carefully.

The information for you has already been provided. It is up to you on what you want to do to with it and how you choose to proceed.

Nothing should be unexpected for a purchase managed by Apple, it requires you to double click the side button on the Approval Screen. For a free trial, it is on that Approval Screen that says to avoid the charge you should cancel a day before that subscription start date. After approving those terms, then authentication is performed with Face ID/Touch ID or Passcode. It is expected you will be charged if you don't cancel a day before that date and by agreeing to the subscription price you are charged. That is what you agreed to. Of course, you will not be allowed to continue and use the App Store when not paying for the previous transaction.

Hi, I am contacting you regarding an unexpected pending charge of USD 34.99 for a Photoroom PRO subscription (Order ID: ***). I have been a loyal Apple user for a very long time, but this situation is extremely disappointing. I never intended to subscribe for this amount and I have already cancelled it. Blocking my App Store for this is making me seriously consider switching to Android. As a long-time customer, could you please kindly waive or remove this pending charge as a one-time courtesy so I can use my account normally?"

[Edited by Moderator]