How to Get a Refund for an iPhone App

Nov 13, 2010 - 22 Comments

refund app store purchase If you bought an iPhone app and it didn’t work on your device due to technical failures or limitations, or perhaps the app purchase was made in error by a child or someone else using your device, you may be eligible for a refund from Apple. Apple will selectively refund app purchases, though it’s not without limits, and there must be a compelling reason to receive the app refund.

This tutorial will show you how to request an app refund from Apple for an iPhone app or iPad app.

How to Get a Refund for an iPhone App

The process for claiming a refund is easy, here are the steps:

  1. Launch iTunes
  2. Click on iTunes Store
  3. Login to your iTunes account, if you’re already logged in click on your email in the upper right corner of iTunes
  4. Click on “Purchase History”
  5. Select the app that you want a refund for
  6. Click on “Report a Problem”
  7. refund iphone app store

  8. Fill out the form detailing the problem with the app purchase and why you want a refund
  9. Optionally, if the iTunes approach fails, you can use Apple’s web form instead to speak with an Apple Representative
  10. Submit the problem report and wait for a response from Apple

The amount of time you have to wait varies, but it’s usually a pretty quick claims process as the app refund is credited back to the account.

Apple will deny unreasonable refund requests, “I didn’t like the app” is generally not a valid reason for a refund (although I’m sure there are exceptions). Also, requests for a refund because of some other silly reason will almost certainly be denied. The refund request must be legitimate. There is probably some leeway involved, and refunds could even come down on a case-by-case basis.

Technical problems limiting the functionality of the app or preventing it from launching completely are probably valid claims for an app refund, as are other egregious issues, but all refunds are given at Apple’s discretion. It doesn’t hurt to ask though, so if you are curious feel free to reach out to Apple to see if they can solve the problem you are having with the app purchase, and if not, perhaps you can get a refund.

Apple actually addresses refunds in their iTunes terms and conditions, though the verbiage has changed a little over time as they update their TOC page, likely to reflect different uses of the platform and apps.

Here’s the newer official refund policy, from 2018, found under the “PAYMENTS, TAXES, AND REFUNDS” section of the iTunes Terms & Conditions:

If technical problems prevent or unreasonably delay delivery of Content, your exclusive and sole remedy is either replacement of the Content or refund of the price paid, as determined by Apple. From time to time, Apple may refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, refund abuse, or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim.

And for posterity, here was the official refund policy from 2010, also cited from the iTunes Store Terms & Conditions:

All sales and rentals of products are final.

Prices for products offered via the Services may change at any time, and the Services do not provide price protection or refunds in the event of a price reduction or promotional offering.

If a product becomes unavailable following a transaction but prior to download, your sole remedy is a refund. If technical problems prevent or unreasonably delay delivery of your product, your exclusive and sole remedy is either replacement or refund of the price paid, as determined by Apple.

You’ll not the language is a bit different, and that’s because Apple can change their Terms & Conditions at any time, so the refund policy may change to reflect any adjustments again in the future. Regardless, you can always try to get a refund, and if you feel like an app is not what you expected due to a technical failure or incompatibility, or some other obvious problem, then you can reach out to Apple and see if they will remedy the issue for you, or request a refund for the app that is problematic.

While Apple officially says that all sales are final, in practice this is not always the case, as technical claims have resulted in refunds, and sometimes accidental purchases do too. And yes while the focus is primarily here on the iPhone apps, obviously this refund process is the same for an iPad or any other iOS app too bought from the App Store.

So the bottom line is this; if you bought an app that isn’t working due to a technical problem, you can almost certainly get a refund. If you bought an app that isn’t what you expected due to some other problem, or the purchase was made accidentally, you can still try to get a refund too, but it might be up to the discretion of Apple whether or not to approve the refund or not. Regardless, it’s worth a try.

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Posted by: Manish Patel in iPad, iPhone, Tips & Tricks, Troubleshooting

22 Comments

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  1. Evan Ruiz says:

    This is very helpful for me because I have not been able to get a refund after purchasing an app. It’s very annoying, but thanks for your work and for sharing this article with us.

  2. Rameez Ahmed says:

    Yes, you can get refund for genuine reasons but don’t try to spam the system by frequent refunds then your apple id would be blocked.

  3. Tyler barnes says:

    I bought 60 seconds by accident and I want 2.99 back

  4. Mohan Desai says:

    This is a good article and definitely help to many peoples, thanks for sharing.

  5. Yes, you can do,

    Only for solid reasons.

  6. Maryam says:

    Hi , I payed an extra money to buy an application to show me the earliest appointment for driving test but unfortunately It doesnt show me any cancellation, could you please refund my money . thanks

  7. Maryam says:

    Hi , I payed an extra money to buy an application to show me the earliest appointment for driving test but unfortunately It doesnt show me any cancellation, could you please refund my money back. thanks

  8. DEMojica says:

    It’s still doesn’t work. I’m about to sell my iPhone and iPad and get rid of everything Apple related. I been forced to “EAT” a dozen app’s that didn’t work as stated and couldn’t get a refund. The one that is about to become the last straw, is I downloaded the latest issue of Discover magazine and got charged $5.99 for the copy while I have a subscrition good until Sept of 2013 that I paid $19.99 for. Plus the taxes!!! Apple doesn’t care anymore, they could go to you know where!!!

  9. Nello says:

    This doesn’t work any more. The “Report A Problem” feature in iTunes is thoroughly broken.

  10. Jasem says:

    Before I buy you said that there is a translation of the Arabic language, but after the purchase I did not find the Arabic language
     Thanx
    Jasem

  11. I wanted to try an upgrade to software I purchased twice from the same developer. The last time was less than 6 months ago when I bought a new machine. The ‘help’ contact link in the App Store has no way to contact the developer and he no longer answers the email from his old link. I complained to the Apple Store and they said they couldn’t help me. I threatened a small claims law suit which would cost Apple way more than the $9.99 the developer is asking and they gave me the ‘one time refund’. I complained further about this developer but his app is still in the App store (SoundConverter). They need to revisit this policy or people Apple will be in small claims court more and more. Or they won’t show up and I’d get a default judgement, show up with a moving van at Apple’s corporate headquarters with a TV film crew. It worked for one guy who sued a bank somewhere.

  12. cheryl glover says:

    I was charged for two apps I did not receive and would like to be refunded what do I do. Thank you Cheryl Glover

  13. SWhibley says:

    This doesn’t work now… if you Report a Problem and say that the app is not working, they just say that it’s not their problem and direct you to the developer’s website. You can now no longer report a problem again on the same app so if the developer doesn’t help, you can’t complain to apple.

  14. […] all else fails, you can also try to get an iPhone app refund from […]

  15. M. Malik says:

    I wish I knew about this 2 weeks ago. My son accidentally purchase a Sonic the Hedgehog game on my iPhone for $2.99. He realized right away and told me, but I didn’t think there was any way I could report something like that. I don’t know if Apple would give me a refund, but at least I know there is somewhere I could report my problem.

    • John Smith says:

      This isn’t Apple’s problem. It’s your problem for giving your son the itunes password if he isn’t supposed to buy things on your phone.

      • Jake Dew says:

        You make a point john, but I think it was rude to say it the way you did. You have trust in your son. Accidents happen, sonic the hedgehog is BEAST, and its only 2.99. Its not the end of the world.

    • ELIE NOEL says:

      Hi!
      Apple sucks! They don’t want to give a refunds for iPhone or iPad bought apps. Since we never know what we buy exactly, it is a very bad policy, to me. I will avoid as much as I can purchases from that no good Co. in future.

  16. Alex says:

    I always wondered about this, good to know

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