Reconsider denied refund for child's in-app purchases

Request for Reconsideration – Refund for In-App Purchases


Hello,


I previously submitted a request for a refund for in-app purchases, however, the request was denied. I am writing to kindly ask you to reconsider my request

I would like to clarify that these purchases were made by a minor child without my knowledge or consent. The Apple ID is registered in my name, and there was no intention to make these purchases. The child does not understand the consequences of in-app purchases.

I sincerely appreciate your understanding and support, and I hope you can assist me with the refund.


Thank you for your time and consideration.

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 8:09 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 8:25 AM

This is a user to user support site. The people responding on this support forum are users like you. We have no special access to Apple information or your accounts, so unfortunately all we can do is guide you to the information Apple does provide. Apple, however, does not have much on its criteria for refusing refunds. Below are two sections from the U.S.A. version of Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions - Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple You can see if the terms are different for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple then select your location and then your language.


- "All Transactions are final."

Apple's terms of purchase in the USA are, "All Transactions are final," ( Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple section B), but check the terms for your country. Even if Apple does not outright say in a country that sales are final, they may say that refunds are only made to remedy defective or unavailable product. In other cases Apple may make limited refunds solely at their discretion and as an exception. Apple can also simply say no without having to provide a reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.


- "From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim." Remember that Apple has no way of removing a purchase from your device. They have to trust you are being honest when asking for a refund. It may be that certain refund requests might be considered suspicious or excessive.

According to https://reportaproblem.apple.com/static/en-us/privacy.html , Apple uses an automated system to detect fraud. Your request may not have met the automated system’s criteria for a refund. In the article Apple says, “If you disagree with your final decision, contact dpo@apple.com “ However, according to user posts on this web site the result is confusing because you receive an automated response talking about privacy issues, not refunds. In that case:


If you wish to try a telephone or chat method, 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." Click here --> Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Apple’s position appears to be that people need to be proactive about purchases, canceling subscriptions at least 24 hours before trials end, and ensuring that others are not able to make unsanctioned purchases on a user’s account. Note that if you allow—intentionally or not—another person access to purchasing on a device, or through Family Sharing if you are the Organizer, you are taking responsibility for things they do. Apple offers these features to help you avoid this situation:


On your device you can use Screen Time to prevent unintentional or unauthorized purchases from the App Store, in-app, and other Apple services. —> Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Also on your device, require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases —> Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support


Use Screen Time as part of parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch —> Use parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If a child made this purchase on their device as part of Family Sharing, consider activating Ask To Buy—> Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy - Apple Support


Use Guided Access to permit a person to only use a single app —>

Lock iPhone to one app with Guided Access - Apple Support


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 15, 2025 8:25 AM in response to Mohammedalzuabi

This is a user to user support site. The people responding on this support forum are users like you. We have no special access to Apple information or your accounts, so unfortunately all we can do is guide you to the information Apple does provide. Apple, however, does not have much on its criteria for refusing refunds. Below are two sections from the U.S.A. version of Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions - Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple You can see if the terms are different for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple then select your location and then your language.


- "All Transactions are final."

Apple's terms of purchase in the USA are, "All Transactions are final," ( Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple section B), but check the terms for your country. Even if Apple does not outright say in a country that sales are final, they may say that refunds are only made to remedy defective or unavailable product. In other cases Apple may make limited refunds solely at their discretion and as an exception. Apple can also simply say no without having to provide a reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.


- "From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim." Remember that Apple has no way of removing a purchase from your device. They have to trust you are being honest when asking for a refund. It may be that certain refund requests might be considered suspicious or excessive.

According to https://reportaproblem.apple.com/static/en-us/privacy.html , Apple uses an automated system to detect fraud. Your request may not have met the automated system’s criteria for a refund. In the article Apple says, “If you disagree with your final decision, contact dpo@apple.com “ However, according to user posts on this web site the result is confusing because you receive an automated response talking about privacy issues, not refunds. In that case:


If you wish to try a telephone or chat method, 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." Click here --> Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Apple’s position appears to be that people need to be proactive about purchases, canceling subscriptions at least 24 hours before trials end, and ensuring that others are not able to make unsanctioned purchases on a user’s account. Note that if you allow—intentionally or not—another person access to purchasing on a device, or through Family Sharing if you are the Organizer, you are taking responsibility for things they do. Apple offers these features to help you avoid this situation:


On your device you can use Screen Time to prevent unintentional or unauthorized purchases from the App Store, in-app, and other Apple services. —> Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Also on your device, require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases —> Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support


Use Screen Time as part of parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch —> Use parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


If a child made this purchase on their device as part of Family Sharing, consider activating Ask To Buy—> Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy - Apple Support


Use Guided Access to permit a person to only use a single app —>

Lock iPhone to one app with Guided Access - Apple Support


Dec 15, 2025 8:24 AM in response to Mohammedalzuabi

Only you can control your device and who you allow to use it. It is Passcode protected to prevent unauthorized access and purchases can only be made with that Passcode. If you have given a child your Passcode, then you also have to take the appropriate steps and responsibility to prevent them from making purchases and there are many ways you can do that.

  • Require a Password that the child does not know instead of using a Passcode for purchases.

Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support

  • Prevent in-app purchases on your device

Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

  • Disable the App Store using Screen Time Controls

Use Screen Time on your iPhone and iPad - Apple Support


You may think you are addressing Apple here, but this is a Support Site made up of other users for Support, not Apple employees where your post will be addressed. You can talk to Apple directly here, but I have not seen where they will override a previous refund denial:

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support


Apple does state that all transactions in the App Store are final, but at times Apple may provide a compassionate refund. It should never be expected though.

Reconsider denied refund for child's in-app purchases

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