How do I resolve a failed ChatGpt Plus upgrade on my iPhone with iOS 18.7.2, still on the free plan, and unable to receive a refund from Apple?

Question

How do I resolve a failed ChatGpt Plus upgrade on my iPhone with iOS 18.7.2, still on the free plan, and unable to receive a refund from Apple?

Logged into the ChatGpt App on my iPhone 13 PRO Max iOS 18.7.2, and clicked the Upgrade to ChatGpt Plus at £19.99 a month, been charged to AMEX card, BUT ChatGPT does not change, and still on the FREE plan.

I'm using a Gmail Account to login to ChatGpt, I've now waited over 5 days, and it's still states FREE!

Contact ChatGpt support, and received mixed responses, about going to Apple Support, and Requesting a Refund, because they cannot match the email address on the App Store Order to the Account.

I've done that, and Apple Support Rejecting the Refund, maybe I should have used 14 Day Withdraw, but I was being honest, and reported the App not working.

I Googled and Found many issues on OpenAI Forums, and Also here, and reported these in My Appeal, but I suspect that Apple Support is Full of BOTS/AI, and the Appeal was rejected - not it just states Final Decision - NAFF OFF!

So £19.99 out of pocket, with no ChatGpt Upgrade, not able to Request a refund via Crap Store, so other than raise it with AMEX for a Charge Back - anyone any other bright ideas ?

I've reboot phone, logged out of ChatGpt.

Nothing works, still stuck in Free plan mode.

I've sent all emails to ChatGpt, but I don't understand how this all works, if using a Gmail Account to Login to ChatGpt breaks and does not work when a Subscription is taken out then the App should be withdrawn, fixed, not just takes peoples money, it's no more than a SCAM, is it Apple or OpenAI ?

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: ChatGpt App on my iPhone 13 PRO Max iOS 18.7.2 - Upgrade Fails - Still on FREE Plan - Apple Refused Refund!

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 29, 2025 9:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,920 points

Nov 30, 2025 8:32 AM in response to einsteinagogo

einsteinagogo wrote:

Clearly touching a nerve here, truth hurts!

My issue is not about Changing Accounts, etc it's about a WARNING should be displayed when Encouraged to Upgrade In-App.... I'm not the only Person, which Apple/OpenAI has failed! (Scammed!)

You are encouraged by OpenAI to upgrade your account while using the app, not Apple. Any warning would have to come from the ChatGPT app and apparently they are failing to do that or even give you the ability to change your account to that of the subscription. Your subscription is made with your Apple Account. You wouldn't be able to create a subscription with an in-app purchase for Hulu, Netflix, etc using your Apple Account and log into that service with a different account for that subscription content unless they allowed you to link that subscription and that is where OpenAI has failed you.

You can certainly write a review of the app in the App Store. You have a valid subscription to the ChatGPT service with your Apple Account. Close your ChatGPT account you opened with your Google account and create one using your Apple Account,

An Open AI free trial would also allow you to test out the service where you could cancel a day before the trial ends to avoid any charge. Free trials are offered by the developer of the app only and Apple does not give free trials for apps unless the developer has agreed to it. As for the refund policy provided by Apple, it cannot be more clear with their terms stating all transactions in the App Store are final, with the EU exception. Apple will at times give a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected.

Maybe you are venting here because Open AI does not offer any public forum for support or feedback and that says more about Open AI than it does Apple. That is the truth. Not wanting to change your OpenAI account to that of your subscription is your choice.

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Answer 2

Nov 30, 2025 7:32 AM in response to einsteinagogo

So for anyone else! If you need to get a Refund from Apple - Select 14 Days Right of Withdrawl, don't bother offering them feedback and offering the truth, because the BOTS/AI not going to help you.

And this from, Open AI !

To clarify for your records—and for any potential follow-up with

AMEX—ChatGPT Plus subscriptions purchased via the iOS app are managed entirely

by Apple. When an upgrade is made through the app, the subscription is tied to

the OpenAI account that is logged in at the time of purchase, not to the Apple

ID or its associated email address.

This means that if you were signed

into the ChatGPT app using a Gmail account (or another login method) that

differs from your Apple ID email, there is currently no in-app warning to

indicate that the App Store purchase will only apply to the OpenAI account

currently in session. Additionally, there is no system in place to

automatically match or sync subscriptions across different OpenAI and Apple ID

email addresses.

If the OpenAI account you were

using at the time of purchase doesn’t match your intended account—or if you

were logged into a different OpenAI account altogether—the subscription will

not appear on the expected account. This behavior is determined by Apple’s

in-app purchase system and the current structure of account handling within the

app. At this time, we’re unable to transfer or manually apply subscriptions to

a different OpenAI account.

:-) I think we'll move the Twitter, they cannot edit comments their #censorship! I expect the BOTs will edit this as well because tjhey can - sad !

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Answer 3

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,920 points

Nov 30, 2025 7:35 AM in response to einsteinagogo

Subscriptions for an in-app purchase are always made using the Apple Account. Currently OpenAI does not allow you to change a previous login email to another one.

https://help.openai.com/en/articles/4936827-how-to-change-your-email-address

OpenAI also does not allow you to transfer a subscription to another account

https://help.openai.com/en/articles/9135236-can-i-transfer-my-chatgpt-subscription-to-a-new-account

You need to use the login email address of your Apple Account to create the ChatGPT account.

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Answer 4

FelipeV

Level 6

12,071 points

Nov 30, 2025 9:06 AM in response to einsteinagogo

einsteinagogo wrote:

Apple process the MONEY though! Not OpenAI !

Log out with the Apple ID on ChatGPT, and log in again and check if it changes. Does it?

If that does not work ASK FOR YOU CASE TO BE ESCALATED AT APPLE AND CALMLY EXPLAIN WHAT WENT WRONG mainly that when you log in with the Apple ID to ChatGPT it does not show that the subscription is paid.

Have a nice day.

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Answer 5

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

60,920 points

Nov 30, 2025 8:51 AM in response to einsteinagogo

einsteinagogo wrote:

NO BECAUSE APPLE DID NOT REFUND ME!!!

In most cases all transactions in the App Store are final. Apple may provide a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected. There is no such guarantee of an automatic refund.

APPLE VETS THE APPS AND TESTS THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THE APP STORE!

The app works just fine. Use the Apple Account to log into the ChatGPT service and you will be able to use the subscription you had paid for.

I DON'T GIVE A MONKEYS CUSS WHO YOU WORK FOR!

Not sure what you are implying, but if you think I work for Apple that is not the case. Clearly making assumptions has led you down the wrong path.

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Answer 6

Nov 30, 2025 8:51 AM in response to einsteinagogo

Maybe you need to unsubscribe first then restore purchase if problem persist contact customer support thank you for choosing apple

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Answer 7

FelipeV

Level 6

12,071 points

Nov 30, 2025 8:43 AM in response to einsteinagogo

einsteinagogo wrote:

NO BECAUSE APPLE DID NOT REFUND ME!!!

A WARNING TO OTHER POOR SOLES!

APPLE VETS THE APPS AND TESTS THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THE APP STORE!

P.S. IT STATES APPLE.COM DOMAIN !

Again, moaning, groaning, and throwing a fit here will not get ANY results. You asked if there were any alternatives/ideas/explanations to your dilemma. The explanations were given to you by Mac Jim. You did not get the answer you wanted. It is what it is.

Reality will not change. Again, the only suggestion is to take up the issue with Apple directly. Ask for the issue to be escalated to a supervisor NICELY, and MAYBE they might take pity on you and offer you a refund. But they are under NO obligation to do so.

Good luck and have a nice day.

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Answer 8

FelipeV

Level 6

12,071 points

Nov 30, 2025 8:26 AM in response to einsteinagogo

Apple is not here and we do not work for Apple and cannot give you a refund. You will have to take it up with them.

And ChatGPT is not an Apple product. Contact them in order to complain about their policies.

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Answer 9

Nov 30, 2025 8:35 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

NO BECAUSE APPLE DID NOT REFUND ME!!!

A WARNING TO OTHER POOR SOLES!

APPLE VETS THE APPS AND TESTS THEM BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THE APP STORE!

P.S. IT STATES APPLE.COM DOMAIN !

I DON'T GIVE A MONKEYS CUSS WHO YOU WORK FOR!

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Answer 10

Nov 30, 2025 9:02 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

"Use the Apple Account to log into the ChatGPT service and you will be able to use the subscription you had paid for."

tried that does not work, ChatGPT still states - FREE ! - OpenAi cannot find any email address, which I've shared with them, matches the order, and suspects it was a Apple Id, Generated email address, e.g. hidden email thing.

Hence, why they stated, Go To Apple get it refunded, and then use Web to sign up.

"In most cases all transactions in the App Store are final. Apple may provide a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected. There is no such guarantee of an automatic refund."

So what's 14 Days Right of Withdrawl all about then ?

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Answer 11

Nov 30, 2025 9:14 AM in response to FelipeV

I've never logged into ChatGPT with an Apple ID account, if I do login to ChatGpt with an Apple Id Account it still states FREE!

Again OpenAI has investigated and looked at ALL the email addresses I have sent them, inluding Apple Id one, and cannot find an order matched against it.

How do I contact Apple to get it Esclated ? As App Store purchase decision is Final. I can do this camply, if they are not muppets.

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