How To Resolve “Your Payment Method Was Declined” Error on iPhone in 2025
How to Download Apps Without a Payment Method on Your iPhone
Honestly, trying to get a free app from the App Store without hooking up a payment method is kinda frustrating. I’ve been there—especially when the store just keeps asking for a credit card or some billing info, even if the app itself is totally free. Seems like Apple’s way of making sure you’re not just downloading stuff without some kind of payment, but it’s doable. Here’s what I finally figured out after some fiddling, and maybe this will help someone else avoid wasting hours.
First things first: Check your internet connection
Seriously, this sounds obvious, but if your Wi-Fi or cellular isn’t stable, everything else can fall apart. I’ve had times where I thought I was doing everything right, but my connection kept dropping or was slow enough that Apple’s servers just timed out, messing up the process. So, make sure your Wi-Fi is solid or mobile data is actually working good. Restart your router if needed; sometimes toggling airplane mode on Ctrl + Shift + R helps. Strong connection is key because all these account changes or region switches rely on communicating with Apple servers without interruption.
Next, turn off any VPNs or proxies—trust me
VPNs can double your trouble here. They mess with your perceived location and might make parts of the setup show different options or block changes altogether. If you’re using a VPN, switch it off and reconnect directly to your carrier or Wi-Fi. If you’re on a Mac and want to do it via Terminal, you can run scutil --nc stop <VPN Service Name> to disable your VPN. I forgot this the first time and kept hitting dead ends because Apple thought I was trying to set up from a different country than I really was. Removing that extra layer makes things more straightforward.
Get into your App Store profile
Now, to actually change any settings, you need to go into your profile. Most folks just tap on their avatar or icon in the App Store, but honestly, it’s not always that simple. The menu can be slow or glitchy, especially if you’re on an older iOS. If the icon tap doesn’t work well, try going to Settings > App Store or Settings > your Apple ID > Media & Purchases. From there, tap on your profile picture and wait for the menu to load. Sometimes, it’s a matter of patience because it’s sluggish even on newer devices. Once you’re in, you’ll see options to update your region or country, which is the trickiest part here.
Switching your country or region — here’s where it gets weird
This is crucial. Tap on Country/Region and then select Change Country or Region. On some devices, this option might be missing if your account is linked to Family Sharing or if there are restrictions. Choosing a different country—say, the U. S.or the UK—can make a big difference because certain regions are more lenient about payment info for free apps. I’ve read that some regions don’t push for a payment method unless you’re buying paid apps, so switching regions can sometimes bypass the payment gate.
Faking your info — yes, it’s a thing
When prompted to enter details for the new region, just put in a legit-looking address from that country. You don’t need to be perfect, but I recommend avoiding random gibberish. A quick Google search for a real ZIP code in the US or UK will help. For the payment method, look for the option labeled None. This is your main goal because selecting None means you’re not adding any credit/debit info. Sometimes, this option is a bit tricky to spot or appears only after you keep trying or restart the process—so don’t get discouraged if it’s not right there at first.
Dealing with the ‘None’ payment option
This is where I got stuck a few times. The ‘None’ option isn’t always obvious. If you don’t see it, try signing out of your Apple ID, then signing back in after setting the new region. Also, switching devices helped—for example, I managed to see the option first on my iPad, then do the same on my iPhone. Some people have reported that on newer iOS versions (like iOS 17), Apple is stricter, so if it refuses to show ‘None, ’ it might be worth trying on an older device or even resetting network settings just to clear any glitches.
Final steps: finishing up
Once you’ve picked the new country and see the ‘None’ option, go ahead and proceed. Agree to any terms or pop-ups—important because you are technically creating an account from that region now. After that, your account should be set up with no payment method tied in. If everything looks good, open the App Store, find your free app, and tap ‘Get.’ Thanks to this, the store shouldn’t ask for a credit card or payment info anymore. If it still prompts you for payment, double-check your region and try repeating the whole process once more — it’s a bit finicky, but it works.
TL;DR — don’t forget to double-check
- Internet connection is strong and stable.
- VPNs are off.
- Region is changed successfully—try switching countries if needed.
- Payment method is set to ‘None’ during setup.
- Device date & time are correct—wrong system time can block verification.
Honestly, this process took me way longer than I’d like to admit because of little hiccups, but once it clicks, it’s a lifesaver. Hope this helps — it took me forever to figure out, so maybe it’ll save someone else from the same headache. Good luck, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries!