Why do I need to add a payment method just to download an app to my phone

I don't understand why I have constantly been putting in the right information for my payment method and it continues to say (this payment method has already been added to your account) so I leave it and it doesn't let me download my app

Go online to this link https://appleid.apple.com log in with your Apple 🆔 iCloud and in the payment method select NONE then log out from AppStore reboot your iPhone and you don’t need to register any payment method to download free apps

I can not locate the section that says NONE… for payment for apps. Need clear , simple directions!

This is due to you owing money to Apple. I just had the same issue. If you go to your setting click Apple ID, go to media purchases, click view account , click purchase history. You will then see you have something pending because it needs to be paid. Once I paid it it allowed me to download apps with no issue. Hope this helps

9/29/2024 @ 950pm

As me underage me wanting to download fairly just a kids game and it asking me for method how the **** am I supposed to get a card underaged

well thats pretty stupid, i put a gift card on my phone, and now that its run out I cant download anything cause I don’t have another payment method, I cant even update apps I already have downloaded.

Because you are required to have a payment method registered to download apps that support in app purchases.

Yes, it's your choice. You don't have to set up a payment method for your account. The result of that being you will not be able to download those apps.

Apple has never suffered a breach of customer credit card data.

When you’re about to pay for something, it is acceptable and expected to input your info otherwise it is totally up to the user NOT the corporation.

Even if you’re trying to download a free app on the App Store, Apple requires that you have a payment method on file registered for your Apple ID. This is primarily for verification and security purposes and to confirm that you’re a real user.

Download apps on your iPhone or iPad ⇢ Download apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Add a payment method to your Apple ID ⇢ Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support

Have you used this ID in the App Store at all yet?

If you have ever downloaded an app that supports in app payments using this ID, you can not set the payment method to “none”.

It's actually pretty simple. If you want to use the App Store, you will need to have a valid payment method. It does not matter if the app is free or not. If you don't plan on using the App Store, no payment method is needed. The choice is yours and has nothing to do with User Experience. I'm sure every user would like it if there were no in-app purchases and never had to pay for any content, but if that was the case, there would be no developers offering any apps to download anyways.

Tomtom5-9 wrote:

Its pretty dumb, i have money in my apple account but my visa no longer exists so i cant download apps without a payment method but theres no info to provide, guess i have to get a Samsung

Or a Credit/Debit card, whatever works for you. The choice is yours.

Yes, I believe you need to have a payment method on file.

Even a lot of "free" apps these days are like arcade games. You can use some features for free, but progressing past a certain point may require (or be much easier with) the purchase of artificial consumable in-app purchases. You won't be charged for downloading a free app – but you will be charged for those.

In some countries, the payment method can be an Apple Balance, and you can load the Apple Balance using gift cards that you can purchase at many retail stores. If you set things up that way, I don't believe Apple would have your credit card number.

Some stores sell preloaded Visa and MasterCard debit cards, and those might be acceptable payment methods. But the banks/vendors who sell those cards add a lot of fees. At least buying Apple gift cards and using them to load up an Apple Balance wouldn't involve those.

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

Why?

Apple policy. It's always been this way. If you don't want to set up a payment method, you will not be able to download any apps.....free or not.

So, it's your decision.

That’s no true isn’t a require no even mandatory , I don’t have any payment method on my iCloud and I can download apps because we can choice to no add a payment method because there is an option called NONE