Why can't I update free apps with unpaid subscriptions from the App Store?

You have to pay for things you have purchased and/or subscriptions that haven't been canceled yet.

If you bought something then you have to pay, if you don't pay then you owe that amount to Apple until you pay.

You can download free apps, but you may need to have a valid payment method on file, even if the app you want to download is free. 

You can have a credit card / debit card on file and an Apple Account balance.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.

Free apps has also In-app pruchase.

See -> Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions

Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions

See also -> Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions

Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple

AngieMN wrote:

I thought this was a discussion, I did not know that I cannot respond and share my own frustration, even if that is valuable to me

You can certainly express your thoughts as you see fit. But you are arguing your point with other users, none of whom work for Apple or have anything to do with Apple Policy. It has ALWAYS been Apple's policy that if you owe for something you purchased and you haven't paid what you owe, you will NOT be allowed to download anything new from the App Store, or update apps from the App Store until you have paid your debt. It's unfortunate you have to wait to get paid, to pay your bills, but that is completely out of the realm of anything anyone here can help you with.

Since you seem upset by Apple's Policies, perhaps tell Apple what you think. Complaining here is a waste of your time. Feel free to share your thoughts with Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Lolredj wrote:

Can i overcome this problem by formatting my IPhone?

Nope. If you owe money from a purchase you make on your Apple ID, it must be paid in order to continue to use the App Store.The only problem is that you have a purchase that has not been paid. Once you again pay for the purchases/subscriptions that you have, then you will continue to be able to use the App Store.

You could create a new Apple ID, but are likely to lose quite a bit of data that you currently have linked to that Apple ID.

luisgtrz wrote:

every time i go to update an app it says update payment information i just wanna know what i can do to be able to update again

You've been told what to do. You even typed what you need to do. And that is you MUST update your payment information to have a valid payment method on your Apple Account. Until you do, you won't be able to download or update apps.

niaya33 wrote:

I need to update my apps with some subscriptions I canceled for i cant update my apps

See step 2 and 3 here:

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

niaya33 wrote:

I need to update my apps with some subscriptions I canceled for i cant update my apps

If you owe any money to Apple, you can't update apps. Those are the rules. And you MUST have a valid payment method on your account. Mac JiM ID provided a link which you should definitely use.

Also, if your account is disabled in the App Store, read this --> If a message says 'Your Media & Purchases account has been disabled' - Apple Support

And this link explains how to update your payment method --> If you need to change or update your Apple Account payment method - Apple Support

I completly understand what you are saying! Apple is the only operating system that does this! If you subscribe to a service anywhere else...like Hulu+ thru Google Play, for example...& fail to pay for the monthly subscription, they just cancel your access to that subscription content or app. You can still download/update other apps. Apple blocks your access to the content, AND treats the failed payment attempt as if you already recieved something you didn't pay for & blocks your access to the entire store. The subscription isn't given on credit. When you sign up for it, you pay your monthly fee ahead of time, for access that month. If that next month comes up & you don't pay them, your just cut off & access is denied. So why treat it as an unpaid balance? You haven't actually recieved access to anything you haven't paid for. Why wouldn't Apple just cancel THAT subscription alone, the next day, like everwhere else? It feels a lot like extortion!

Dealing with this same issue as we speak. The problem with Apple is that they do not remove the money from your account at the time that the purchase is actually made- if its a small purchase of say $5 they dont charge you immediately. They wait days for other charges to appear and then attempt to charge you for everything at once. However if youre like me, you budget out your debit card charges to align with purchases being made daily in real time- so if im making a $5 app purchase, I already know that I have at least that in the account. However if Apple waits days for my charges to accrue, by then other debits have been taken out or I dont have that amount in my account to cover things at once. Apple needs to stop waiting days to remove the money for in app purchases AND they need to allow ppl to update apps without paying past due bills. They waited so late to charge me that now that im unemployed, I cannot pay the past due amount indefinitely. So no app updates for me at all.

We have to say you aren't speaking with Apple here. This is a user to user only forum, so we are all users just like you are.

If you annoyed, surely you've contacted Apple Support directly for help by now?

You can use the Support button at the bottom of this and every page here in this forum.

ayrial65 wrote:

I’m getting annoyed to the point were I want to switch to android because I paid all of them off yet they still won’t go away apple what do y’all have to say about this!

The source of the subscription is important for how it will need to be cancelled:

• Did you find the subscription at:

If you want to cancel a subscription from Apple - Apple Support

Many developers advertise a free trial/subscription on Social Media or Websites where you are directed to sign up for the subscription with them directly and bypass the ability by Apple to manage the subscription. If that is the case, Apple is not able to cancel the subscription and it needs to be done with that company directly.

Hello~ Arguing the point here is of no value. Apple’s playground thus Apple’s rules. It’s just the way it is. You can leave your feedback by clicking on below…

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~

Hello~ Click on below and let Apple know…

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~

Obviously you have to pay for things you agreed to pay for. That still doesn’t change the fact that maybe I don’t get paid until Monday and my payment method will work then. Yet, I cannot update or download a free app because that hasn’t been paid, yet? If you try to purchase something else, obviously they should not let you until you pay what you already owe. And it won’t let you purchase anything in apps if you haven’t paid in full for the past due amounts. So that is already covered. Updating or downloading free things should have no connection to an unpaid subscription even if that app has purchases available in the app—because Apple will stop you from completing the in-app purchase. I paid how much for this phone?!? And my $5 unpaid subscription means I cannot update or download free games? But yet, I CAN play the ones I already have downloaded to my phone, as long as it doesn’t need an update. That does not make sense, sorry. If something is literally free, no money is changing hands until the consumer requests an in-app upgrade/tokens/subscription, etc.,at which time Apple denies the purchase. You cannot become more in debt for free downloads or updates. I don’t see the issue.

Obviously you have to pay for things you agreed to pay for. That still doesn’t change the fact that maybe I don’t get paid until Monday and my subscription will be paid at that time. Yet, I cannot update or download a FREE app because of this unpaid subscription? I can see If you try to purchase something else, then they should obviously not let you until you pay what you already owe. Also, in-app purchases are purchased through Apple, and Apple won't let you purchase it until your account is paid in full. Apple will not let you make in-game purchases nor will it let you do anything else that costs money. Apple has that part covered. However, updating or downloading free things should have no connection to an unpaid subscription. As long as money isn't required right now and the update or download will NOT add to your debt, you should be able to download or update.

But yet, I CAN play the ones I already have downloaded to my phone, as long as it doesn’t need an update.Heck, I can still use the very app I owe $5, but I cannot update or download free ones? That does not make sense, sorry. If it is literally free, no money is changing hands until the consumer requests an in-app upgrade/tokens/subscription, etc.,at which time Apple denies the purchase because of your debt. I cannot become more in debt for free downloads or updates. I don’t see why updates or downloads already paid for or are free cannot be done.