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You can download many free apps on an iPhone by tapping Get in the App Store, and Apple does not charge for a free app download. Apple also says a valid payment method may still be required for some free downloads or updates, depending on the Apple Account and the country or region. So there is no guaranteed way to download free apps without adding a payment method. What you can do is tell whether your account is blocked by a payment requirement or by an unpaid balance, and fix the one that applies.
What the Get button means
In the App Store, a price appears on the button for paid apps. For free apps, the button says Get. Apple Support states it this way in Download apps on your iPhone or iPad: “In the App Store, if an app has a Get button instead of a price, the app is free. You won’t be charged for downloading a free app.”
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
$100 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
$15 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple Physical Gift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Visa Physical Gift Card $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
That statement covers the download price only. A free app can still offer paid in-app purchases or subscriptions, which are charged separately. Those charges are the reason an account may still be asked for payment details, even when the app itself costs nothing.
Steps to download a free app
You need an Apple Account and an internet connection. The steps below use the App Store as Apple describes it in Get apps in the App Store on iPhone.
#1 Best Overall
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
- Use the Search tab to find the app, or open it from a category or a link.
- On the app’s product page, check the button beside the app name. If it says Get, the download is free.
- Tap Get. If the App Store asks you to confirm, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
- Wait for the app to finish installing. It appears on your Home Screen when the download completes.
What to do when the App Store asks for a payment method
Apple says some free app downloads or updates may require a valid payment method on file, as explained in Add a payment method to your Apple Account. The requirement can depend on your account and where it is registered, so the payment options you see can differ from those shown to someone in another country.
Apple’s list of accepted payment methods also varies by region and can change. Check the options Apple currently lists for your account’s country or region in Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account. If none of those options works for you, a free download may not be possible on that account, and you should not expect a workaround to succeed.
Rank #2
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
Billing messages and unpaid balances
A different situation applies when the App Store shows a message instead of a payment prompt. The two messages Apple names are billing problem with a previous purchase and verification required. Both point to an unpaid balance on the Apple Account. Apple says this can stop free downloads until the balance is settled.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Billing problem with a previous purchase: an earlier charge has not been paid. Follow the steps in If a message says “billing problem with previous purchase” or “verification required”.
- Verification required: the account needs to confirm its details before downloads continue. Use the same Apple page to find the required step.
- Gift card redemption: Apple documents gift-card redemption as one way to pay an unpaid balance. It is a way to settle a balance, not a general way to skip the payment-method requirement.
- Adding funds to the balance: Apple’s Add money to your Apple Account balance page says adding funds requires a valid payment method, so a balance top-up does not replace one.
Gift cards and balances are not a guaranteed workaround
Readers often look for a gift card or a stored balance as a way to avoid entering card details. Apple’s documentation supports gift cards only for settling an unpaid balance. It does not establish a gift card as a method that lets a free download proceed on any account. If your App Store shows a payment prompt rather than a billing message, a gift card will not necessarily clear it.
Rank #3
- For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
- Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
- Available in $100 and $200, Card delivered via mail.
- Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
If the download still fails
When the download fails without a billing message, the problem may be general rather than payment-related. Apple’s troubleshooting page, If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad, recommends this order:
- Confirm that you are signed in with the correct Apple Account and that the iPhone has an internet connection.
- Check whether the App Store is showing a payment requirement or a billing message, and handle that first.
- Restart the iPhone using the method for your model.
- Try the download again. If it still fails, contact Apple Support.
Quick reference
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A Get button and no payment prompt | The app is free to download | Tap Get and authenticate |
| A request to add a payment method | Your account needs a valid payment method for this download or update, under Apple’s current rules for your region | Check the options listed for your country or region |
| Billing problem with a previous purchase or verification required | An unpaid balance on the Apple Account | Follow Apple’s instructions for unpaid balances |
| A failure with no billing message | A general download problem | Use Apple’s troubleshooting steps, restart, then contact Apple Support |
Use this table to decide which path applies before you spend time on the others. The first two rows are the only ones where a free download can proceed without further action.
Rank #4
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Apple’s rules on payment methods can change, and they differ by country and region. Treat the steps above as the current official route, and confirm the details on the Apple pages linked in each section before you act.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
