Use the App Store Without a Credit Card
Signing up to use the App Store requires a credit card, right? Wrong. We showed you how to use iTunes without a credit card, and it turns out you can do the same thing with the iOS and Mac App Store too.
A credit card-free account is a perfect solution for setting up an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Mac for a kid or for use in a public space, when you want to provide access to the free downloads and updates in the App Stores without the ability to make purchases through it. Even without a credit card attached to the Apple ID, you can add gift certificates and redeem codes through this account, making for an easy budgeting system should you wish to provide limited access to App Store purchases down the road.
How to Setup and Use iOS & Mac App Store With No Credit Card
Note: If you are having problems with the method described below, open a link to a free app available on the App Store first. That will allow the “none” payment option to be available.
- Open the iOS App Store or Mac App Store and click on “Account” from the right-hand side
- If currently logged into an Apple account, click on “Sign Out” otherwise click the “Create Apple ID” button (alternatively, you can sign up on the web directly from Apple)
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions and fill out the Apple ID creation page, set this up for a new email address than your primary app store account
- At the “Provide a Payment Method” screen, select “None” as the payment option
- Optionally, add a gift certificate to pad the account with an app purchase budget
- Click “Create Apple ID” and verify the email address you provided earlier, your credit card free Mac App Store login is now active
Now log into the App Store with the newly created Apple ID and the user will be able to download any free apps or download updates to existing apps.
The credit card free account can also redeem promo codes and add gift cards to their account should they need to make purchases.
You’ll still need to login (or use Touch ID) as usual when downloading things, but there will no longer be a credit card tied to the account which limits the account to free downloads, or to whatever credit is applied to the account. This is a great solution for setting up secondary devices, devices for kids, or even for yourself if you just want to avoid spending too much on apps and games.
I have wasted my money just to get this phone to work, come on an apple phone that can’t download it’s just a toy. Give a way around this credit card request is quite demanding . Why can’t Apple be normal just for once
What if none is there in my payment method. What to do
THIS IS PURE INANITY
“simply provide a card and remove it later” is the same default dance by Roku.
It should be less circuitous to create a non funded Apple ID
It worked perfectly for me and I am in Canada. No problems at all. But they sure are nosy!
Am Ethiopian I want reset my apple ID password how can i reset?
What if the select none option under the payment option isn’t there what do I do
My problem: i tried to create a canadian apple id because there is a game that is not available where i live. I did everything i had to do, even the “none” option was there but when i tried to continue it says in red letters:”you will not be charged until you make a purchase”. Can somebody help me with this problem?
Places I lost all my iphone code number everything plzzzzz
i dont have gift card code so how to access apple store
I live in Ethiopa Africa.I bought a iPad.I need without a credit card.
I live in Zambia Africa. I bought a second hand iPad from UK. It has no Excel,Word, power point and a calculator. I have never bought anything from Apple Store. When I try to create an account it is asking me an iTunes gift card crude when I do not have it. H ow do I buy the what I need then?
I can’t see this none
I have created a credit free I’d but still I can’t download free apps , please help me …..
In german store, after creating id online, need to then verify the account info in app store and only after finishing filling out your billing address and card code, there comes out ‘None’ button behind the line of the payment methods thumbs…. I just did it. A bit tricky to find out the way!
You only get the “None” option in the French store if you start creating the account by attempting to install a free app. But in that case you get the option and you can do it without the card.
I want to change my iCloud account
THANKS A LOT!
It really did work for me. I’m using Mountain Lion on Mac Pro and I didn’t create a new account too. Just tried clicking on NONE on the Billing Info page and it worked Perfectly.
I have got a tip for those who want to create free account.
First of all open app store without signing in and go to any free app. Then press on get button, you will be redirected to create an account and you will get option to make free account.
Hope this helps.
Hehehe!! For us not in the USA… Download Torch browser for Your Mac or iPhone etc. Then torrent the apps You want.. LOL
I cant access apps store due to my country that i cant found..i already fill my my billing method…im from andorra near spain
Im from india i cant see ‘none’ option what should i do..??
[…] Apple ID. This applies the same to both iTunes & Apple accounts that have credit cards and those that do not. Additionally, a gift card redeemed in one store or service will be available as credit in another, […]
Love You … You have Greatly Helped Me. Thank You.
I am from India. I tried changing the country to U.S. I even filled the details with an US address. Everything was fine and I got the none option. But at the final step i.e the verification step it kept on repeating Apple ID & Password entered incorrectly. What is this. My phone is useless without apps. Pls help me out of this.
[…] gift card balance will be transferred to the iTunes/App Store Account used, and yes it works on accounts made without credit cards on […]
All you aliens out there – put the CC number in.
Go back in to appstore settings and you should see the ‘none’ button option offered now.
After selecting that and saving you should see ‘no payment details on file’ or something similar.
Apple this is just gross incompetence.
You’re getting worse every year.
Bro? I can’t find that option too. Help me !
Uhh..I live in the US and there is still no “none” option..wtf?
ME TO
dont worry i am helping you contact me
i dont see the none button
but i dont have an credit card.
Why Apple hs made it compulsory to enter credit card or gift coupon???
Such a waste thing apple has done..
You can’t use an Apple Id on the AppStore without a credit card.
– When you create the account use any valid credit card (you just need it for this step)
– Then on iTunes go to Store > View My Account -> Payment Information and finally you can select “None” as payment method
Anonymous — How are they going to charge you if you don’t have a credit card attached to the account? Are you retarded?
Some people only download free apps.
And don’t insult mentally disabled people, you sad, depraved individual.
They download free apps, or use an iTunes card.
I have an Apple ID without a Credit Card attached to it.
I haven’t tried downloading apps with fees, what will happen if I download an application with fees? Will it be charged to me, even I dont have a credit card? Thank you.
just bought my ipad. had initially registered my credit card but reset it then tried the suggestion above and it worked like a charm. thank you
just select none then fill the area in red below it which is your name, address and phone number. viola
yup, for us non US customers we can’t create an account without a credit card, previously we were able to create a US account without without a CC but know we to use a US VPN or a proxy server to connect to iTunes then create an account by downloading a free app.
Hmmm… I was back here in the early days (even before the garden wall was erected!) and no way on gods wide earth was Apple getting my credit card no. (not very flush anyway) and they still haven’t god bless ’em.
When you go to get a Free download then there is the option to choose payment type none.
I do not see the “none” button to click for payment. Where is that option on the page?
It is right next to the credit card logos, try the web setup if the app store method failed.
No its not their for me either.
Depends on the country. Only US and other major stores have the none option. All other countries require an activation fee. Mostly this is around a $1. Therefore, they will not allow you to create an account without any form of payment.
The above blog post must be edited with that information. I tried it before. They charge you a dollar to create the account.
MuTz777
i am in japan.i have created an apple account without payment.i dont know how i did it.i wasnt even aware that we have to pay if we create an account until my cousin told me cz he failed himself.but i really dont know i how i made an account without being asked for a credit info..everytime i buy in the app store i can see the list of credit company names and the last option is the “none”…
now i have bought a prepaid card-like but i dont know how to use it.anyone can help pls?
i got the answer for my question in the other link here…thank you guys ;)
me too.. I can’t find the “none” button.. it s#cks!
I just use the same Apple ID but turn off Purchases and In-App Purchases, that way all the downloads are kept under the same account. Juggling different Apple ID’s for family members is a mess that needs to be sorted out by Apple.
Just on a side note, another option is a “Click & Buy” account (if you don’t have a credit card or a gift certificate). But keep in mind, when your “Click & Buy” account is out of balance … you will be fined a 15 euro (don’t know the exact amount they charge you in $) and your Apple ID will be on lock down until you make due on the negative “Click & Buy” balance / account. Reason for telling you this is because i am, currently, trying to get my Apple ID unlocked so i can update my apps again. iTunes support is currently in contact with me asking me all sorts of relevant question to verify me, as a person, before i can get access to my Apple ID again…