Apple ID without a credit card

Is this possible? If yes, can I have the same Contacts on both



Posted on Dec 1, 2025 5:43 AM

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Posted on Dec 1, 2025 6:01 AM

Your question is not very clear.


Same contacts on Both what?


Not sure if its still possible, but in the past you could create an Apple ID without a payment method by attempting to download a free App from the App Store without having an Apple account signed in on a device.

You can go to Settings ➜ Account ➜ Media & Purchases and sign out, then go to the App Store and try to download a free app. If it still works, it should ask you to create the account and not ask for for a payment method.


Contacts are stored in an email account, be it, iCloud or a 3rd party email. They are not directly tied to your apple Account. You can add the email address that holds the contacts to a device under Settings ➜ Apps ➜ Contacts ➜ Accounts to get the contacts onto that device regardless of what Apple account is signed in in Settings ➜ Account.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 1, 2025 6:01 AM in response to megabytes

Your question is not very clear.


Same contacts on Both what?


Not sure if its still possible, but in the past you could create an Apple ID without a payment method by attempting to download a free App from the App Store without having an Apple account signed in on a device.

You can go to Settings ➜ Account ➜ Media & Purchases and sign out, then go to the App Store and try to download a free app. If it still works, it should ask you to create the account and not ask for for a payment method.


Contacts are stored in an email account, be it, iCloud or a 3rd party email. They are not directly tied to your apple Account. You can add the email address that holds the contacts to a device under Settings ➜ Apps ➜ Contacts ➜ Accounts to get the contacts onto that device regardless of what Apple account is signed in in Settings ➜ Account.


Dec 6, 2025 5:14 AM in response to megabytes

Sorry, that was a bit confusing and difficult to explain...

My problem is I have one Apple ID used by myself and a family member (John) who has disabilities. The reason he needs my Apple ID is I keep Contacts synced in the cloud for both of us although he is not allowed to go into the cloud or make changes to the contacts.

Someone bought me an Apple Watch to use the ECG for Christmas as a surprise, but John made him give it to me now. He set it up with 2-Factor which you have to have for the watch. I have spent many years avoiding this because it completely confuses and scares John! He doesn't understand it at all.

Now, if 2FA wants him to enter a code, he will have to contact me for it because my number is on that account. He will not know how to do that worrying about losing where the code should be entered and I am not always available or have a connection (he has other people to call for emergencies).

I was thinking of getting him his own Apple ID just for the code. He does not have a credit card which is why I wanted to know.

I can't tell you how difficult Apple makes this for us and for others with disabilities or the elderly!

Dec 1, 2025 6:12 AM in response to megabytes

You should be able to set up an account without a payment method


How to create a new Apple Account - Apple Support

“Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase.”


but you may find that to do much with the account you will have to show a payment method, at least briefly --> Remove a payment method from your Apple Account - Apple Support

Certain conditions may require you have a payment method on your account:

- What you want to buy cannot be paid for with account balance.

- Sign in with your Apple ID - Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support - at the very bottom: "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."


Read this about contacts --> I need to recover contacts from earlier u… - Apple Community



Apple ID without a credit card

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