Payment card repeatedly failing for Apple purchases

I doubt Apple would contact you about this. If there is an issue you will see a notification on your device.

We have no idea where you are but Apple does not provide support in all countries. Even where they do, not all methods may be available.

Read this document about how to view your current payment types and add Apple Account payment methods on an Apple mobile device, a Mac, or a PC --> Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support

If an item appears in red then it is no longer working and you either need to replace it or get it working again. Even if an app is free, Apple may require the presence of a valid payment method such as a card. You won't be charged but the card has to be there and in working order.

If you can't add a payment method, check Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support , or this one about what to do if your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store —> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

- Based on the information you enter, Apple is checking with your financial institution if the payment method is valid. Apple is receiving a negative, or no, response. Make sure the name and address are entered exactly as it appears on your financial institution bills and that the 3 digit CVV is correct. Check with your financial institution about the status of your card. “If you want to know why a debit card, credit card, or other payment method was declined, speak with your financial institution. Apple doesn't have information about why the payment method was declined.”

- Make sure your payment method is up to date or to try a different one ( If you need to change or update your Apple Account payment method - Apple Support ).

- Make sure this is one of the payment methods that you can use with your account, as listed in this support article: Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support .

・Unfortunately the payment methods list is somewhat general and does not include individual brands of cards (I guess there are too many and are constantly changing). This thread is an example of where a person was not using an acceptable kind —> Why are my cards not supported on the MFI… - Apple Community Prepaid cards are not true credit cards.

・Also read any footnotes in the document.

・If you are trying to use a payment method from another country you may encounter problems. Apple’s statements to me are unclear. In If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support Apple implies international payment types can be used when it says, "You might need to ask your financial institution to allow international purchases on your debit or credit card". Apple then counters this in Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support with, “If you're using an accepted payment method but your Apple Account is set to a different country or region, change your country or region.” Usually it is easiest to just use a card from the same country as your Apple Account setting.

・Finally, note that the document only says which methods _are_ acceptable. Apparently certain types (usually a credit or debit card) _must_ also be present under certain situations such as when a subscription is involved.

If you still have problems, contact official Apple Support. Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world, in this article --> Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

If you're in India, click on this link to read an April 2022 notice 'About billing for Apple subscriptions and media products in India' --> https://support.apple.com/HT212781

Additional verification that may be required when making purchases in Europe --> https://support.apple.com/108103

Ljb53 wrote:

Thank you but my bank state there is no problem so as it is an apple subscription issue Apple need to address it. I cannot change payment method as I do not have another as stated. Also trying to contact them is virtually impossible and no they have never contacted me.

• Did you previously have a purchase that failed to process on that card?
• Had you previously requested a charge back on the card through your bank?

With either of those cases, Apple may have considered that payment method to no longer be valid and require a new one if you want to continue and make purchases.

Not sure the issue with contacting Apple unless you're in a region where support is not available. Either the phone call or live chat have always been accessible for me.

You can ask Apple about this but they may have no idea why the payment method is failing.They are just trying to charge to your payment method and either getting a reply saying it doesn't exist, or maybe not getting any kind of reply at all.

Refer to this page for Apple Support features ➔ Contact - Official Apple Support

Select from the presented options until you find a solution for your issue, or see if there is a chat or phone call contact method offered lower on the page under “Get more help” (you sometimes have to narrow down the options multiple times before this is shown). If you do not see your issue, keep experimenting with any series of selections until you reach one that offers a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support For some countries look under “Other” listing at the end of the list. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.