Required payment method for free app download on iPhone

I can’t download anything is for free with it saying billing verification I don’t have anything to pay it

I did id but it said the card is already on it

Why do I have to put a payment method in on my App Store to download Snapchat?

If you are being asked to enter a payment method, Apple has multiple criteria* requiring the presence of a payment method, even for free items. Since you may be encountering one of those situations, you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue downloading. Read the support article Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support about how to do that. The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. This next article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support .

If you have already entered a payment method, use the first link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution.

* Ref.:

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

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

Remove a payment method from your Apple ID - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

- "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."

How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.

- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance - Apple Support

"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."

Jermainepitty wrote:

I can’t download anything is for free with it saying billing verification I don’t have anything to pay it

You will need to add a payment method to download apps even if they are free. You will find that most the apps that you will download contain in-app purchases, free trials, or subscriptions where that payment method will be used if you choose one of those options. Developers use these methods in hopes you will like their app enough to use one of these options. They spend their own time and money to create these for you and let you download them for free to see if it is something you find valuable. Without any payment method on file, there is no hope that the developer could ever recoup their costs. If developers never made any money on the apps they create, you would not have anything to download anyway.

bestley wrote:

I can’t download any app it keeps asking for money

You don't pay to download free apps. It may be prompting for a payment method which is still required even if the download is free. Many apps also include Free Trials, in-app Purchases, and Subscriptions that will be billed to that card if you choose one of those options.

If you have a negative balance because you owe money from a purchase/subscription that was unable to complete due to lack of money, then that will be charged the next time you add a card. You still need to cancel a subscription, simply letting it attempt to charge a card without any money will not remove the subscription. You won't be able to use the App Store if you owe money from a previous purchase or do not have a valid payment method.

adedigba115 wrote:

I want to download app ask for payment

You don't pay to download free apps. It may be prompting for a payment method which is still required even if the download is free. Many apps also include Free Trials, in-app Purchases, and Subscriptions that will be billed to that card if you choose one of those options.

If you have a negative balance because you owe money from a purchase/subscription that was unable to complete due to lack of money, then that will be charged the next time you add a card. You still need to cancel a subscription, simply letting it attempt to charge a card without any money will not remove the subscription. You won't be able to use the App Store if you owe money from a previous purchase or do not have a valid payment method.

Nothing wrong with supporting the developers by using one of the in-app purchases they provide. They are paying to make the apps available in the App Store every year and it also costs them time and money to develop the apps and offer updates. Many will provide them free to download in hopes you will find their efforts useful, but if they could not make any money, you would not have ANY apps to download. They don't do it for charity and without a payment method, there is no chance of recouping any of those costs. You are not required to use these optional in-app purchases, but are required to have the valid payment method in case you do.

kelia288 wrote:

I want to download stuff and l have a lot of upgrades and they won’t let me download stuff😭

That is correct, you will need to have a valid payment method and if there are any unpaid charges, they will need to be paid first.

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

Alleybradford112 wrote:

I can’t download anything is for free with saying billing verification I don’t have anything to pay

Copy/Paste?.

If a message says 'billing problem with previous purchase' or 'verification required' - Apple Support

I can’t download any app it keeps asking for money

Nozza_1232 wrote:

I want to download apps but it tells me I need a payment method and I already have a card on my iPhone the apps are free what do I do

It has been determined for some reason the card you have on file is not valid. We don't have access to your account to find out what that reason is. It could be from a previous charge that failed due to insufficient funds or possibly if a charge was disputed claiming fraudulent activity. In any case, you will need to add a different payment method. It makes no difference if the app is free to download. In that case, you wouldn't be charged to download, but it is likely that the app has in-app purchases where that payment method would be used if you chose one of those.

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

Hello~ As posted previously…if you are being asked to enter a payment method then you’ll need to add one. Many Apps such as Snapchat have in app purchase's.

~Katana-San~

Dazaraguys wrote:

Why do have to put debit cards before I download

To download free apps you won't be charged for anything, but the app you are looking to download most likely has optional in-app purchases that will use that payment method. Developers of apps are simply not spending their time and money to produce apps to give them away for free without a means to recoup their costs. They include in-app purchases in hopes you will find their efforts valuable and use one of those optional methods. Without a payment method, there is no chance that would be possible.

I want to download app ask for payment