I'm trying to download a free app, but I can't because I owe Apple $17.59 from previous purchases. I thought the charges were taken directly from my account at the time of purchase. After some digging, I realized this balance is keeping me from downloading anything until it's resolved. I have enough funds in my account right now, but it still won't let me pay Apple. Does anyone know how I can settle what I owe? Also, why does Apple delay charging the transactions?
4 Answers
Honestly, it's a bit confusing. I didn't realize Apple sends you a bill later. I guess that’s why you might get a receipt days after making a purchase. But if you’re always trying to keep your account funded, it must be frustrating to have these delays stop you from downloading apps.
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it might be a good idea to hold off on unnecessary purchases until you work out a better budget. That way, you won’t face issues like this in the future.
Sounds like you’re dealing with a banking issue rather than a technical one. I've had success linking my PayPal to Apple; the transactions go through instantly that way. Have you thought about adding a debit or credit card instead? That might fix the problem.
As someone who works at Apple, I can tell you that they handle millions of transactions every day. There are a lot of moving parts in these transactions, and sometimes they wait to group your purchases together to possibly save on fees. It might not feel ideal, but that’s how it works.
Yeah, it really is annoying! I always ensure I have enough funds when I buy, yet I'm still blocked from things I want. I thought receipts were just confirmations, not indicators of pending charges.