“Unable to complete purchase”

When trying to make a $5 purchase with $25 App Store credit from a gift card on my account, it still won’t let me make a purchase, insisting I add a payment method. It says “We were unable to charge any of the payment methods on file for your account. Please update your billing info.” But I have $25 on my account from a gift card I just redeemed, why won’t it just use that?

iPad, iPadOS 16

Posted on Feb 27, 2023 09:13 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 27, 2023 10:05 AM

It says “We were unable to charge any of the payment methods on file for your account. Please update your billing info.”


1.

See -> What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)

⤵️

  • You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
  • If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are only available to you. Find out more about how purchases are billed to your Apple Account balance.
  • Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


2.

See also ⤵️

Add a payment method to your Apple ID -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)


Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store

If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

⤵️

How to complete your purchase if a payment failed or was declined

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Tap Payment & Shipping.
  4. Add a different payment method and remove the old one
  5. Try to complete your purchase.


If you still can't make a purchase


Get more help and assistant from Apple directly, see Contact Apple for support and service -> Contact Apple for support and service – Apple Support (UK) 




Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 27, 2023 10:05 AM in response to Petorian360

It says “We were unable to charge any of the payment methods on file for your account. Please update your billing info.”


1.

See -> What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)

⤵️

  • You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
  • If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are only available to you. Find out more about how purchases are billed to your Apple Account balance.
  • Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


2.

See also ⤵️

Add a payment method to your Apple ID -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)


Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store

If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

⤵️

How to complete your purchase if a payment failed or was declined

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Tap Payment & Shipping.
  4. Add a different payment method and remove the old one
  5. Try to complete your purchase.


If you still can't make a purchase


Get more help and assistant from Apple directly, see Contact Apple for support and service -> Contact Apple for support and service – Apple Support (UK) 




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“Unable to complete purchase”

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