Adding a payment method to apple id

Apple

What if you want an Apple ID but plan to never pay for a single thing from Apple through that ID? Apple makes that possible, though it’s not a highlighted method, since it’s frequently the case that you will pay Apple for a service or for software.

If you don’t have an Apple ID account or want to set up a fresh one

You can create an Apple ID via the App Store in both iOS/iPadOS and macOS.

In iOS and iPadOS:

1. If you have an existing Apple ID account you don’t want to use, log out: go to Settings > account name > Media & Purchases and tap Sign Out.
2. Launch the App Store.
3. Find an app you can download at no cost. Such apps will have a Get button. Tap Get.
4. The App Store prompts you for an Apple ID. Tap Create New Apple ID.
5. When prompted for a payment method, select None.
6. Follow the remaining steps to validate your account.

In macOS:

1. Launch the App Store.
2. If you have an existing Apple ID account you don’t want to use, choose Store > Sign Out.
3. Find an app you can download at no cost. Such apps will have a Get button. Click Get.
4. In the Apple ID dialog that appears, click Create Apple ID.
5. Follow prompts. At the point where you’re asked for a payment method, select None.
6. Follow the remaining steps to validate your account.

If you have an existing Apple ID

You can remove payment methods from existing Apple ID accounts in some cases. Apple requires a payment method on file if you are the family organizer for a Family Sharing group, and for accounts set up for children under 13.

In iOS and iPadOS:

1. Go to Settings > account name > Payment & Shipping.
2. Tap the Edit button.
3. Tap the remove (minus in a red circle) button for each method.
4. Tap Done.

In macOS:

1. Launch the App Store.
2. Choose Store > View My Account and then click View Information.
3. Click Manage Payments.
4. Click Edit next to a payment method and click Remove. Repeat for each payment method.

This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Nancy.

For more help with Apple ID questions see:

• How to remove a previous owner’s Apple ID from a used iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
• How to remove or change the phone number linked to your Apple ID
• How to fix an iPhone that keeps asking for Apple ID password

Ask Mac 911

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Need to change or cancel the credit or debit card you have on file for your Apple ID? Read on for how to change your Apple ID payment method.

Whether you need to update your debit or credit card details or want to remove the current payment method from your Apple ID account, there are several ways do so.

How to change your Apple ID payment method

iPhone & iPad

1. Open Settings and tap your name
2. Choose iTunes & App Store
3. Tap your Apple ID at the top, then View Apple ID
4. Finally, tap Payment Information, enter your new details and tap Done in the top right corner

Here’s how the process looks:

iTunes (Mac & PC)

1. Open iTunes and click Account in the menubar at the top of your screen
2. Choose View My Account…
3. Enter your Apple ID password if required, then click Edit on the right of Payment Type
4. When finished updating your details, click Done in the bottom right corner

Web

1. Head to appleid.apple.com
2. Log in and scroll down to Payments & Shipping
3. Click Edit on the right hand side and enter your new payment method
4. Click Save in the top right corner when finished

For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide as well as the following articles:

• How to stream March Madness 2019 live on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• How to get the most money from selling your used AirPods
• How to check the battery health on your MacBook
• How to check battery cycle count on your MacBook
• How to change trackpad and mouse speed on Mac
• How to make folders for the Notes app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• How to convert images to PDFs on Mac
• How to convert PNG and TIFF images to JPG on Mac
• How to check Apple Pencil battery level
• How to convert Pages doc to PDF on Mac
• How to convert Pages doc to Microsoft Word doc on Mac

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Michael Potuck

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Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.

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