Apple denied my refund after I canceled a free trial—do I have any options?
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MellowPine47
I started a three-day trial of Airclub Premium through Apple's app marketplace on Friday. After trying the app, I decided it wasn't for me and canceled the subscription that same day. Despite canceling before the trial ended, I was charged $16.45 on Wednesday. I submitted two refund requests with additional explanation, but both were denied. Customer support told me that after two denials, the decision is final, even when speaking with a supervisor. Has anyone successfully resolved a situation like this, or should I consider the charge lost?
Answers
Apple can see when the subscription was canceled, what device was used, and how much the app was accessed. Refund decisions may also depend on your previous refund history and the developer’s terms. Their policy generally treats a second denial as final, so support may not be able to override it.
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You can dispute the charge through your bank, but that may put your Apple account at risk of being restricted or closed. Since Apple has already denied the refund twice, the practical alternative may be accepting the charge unless your bank is willing to intervene.
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If you’re in the European Union, you may have an additional right-of-withdrawal route for some digital purchases. A support representative may be able to submit that request for review. Outside the EU, there usually isn’t another formal appeal after two denials, and Apple may consider factors such as usage time, account history, and the location from which the request was made.
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MellowPine47: That’s frustrating, but I appreciate the explanation. I’m outside the EU, so it sounds like my options are probably limited unless my bank accepts a dispute.