Lately, I’m being prompted to verify my account every time I try to download free apps from the App Store. This has never been an issue before, so I’m not sure what changed. Does anyone know how to fix this or turn off the verification requirement? It’s getting inconvenient and I’d appreciate some help!
Okay, so this happens because Apple wants you to verify payment info, even for free apps. Here’s what you can try:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone/iPad.
- Tap your name/Apple ID at the top.
- Hit Payment & Shipping.
- If you have an old credit card or expired payment method, remove it. It’s probably causing issues.
If you don’t want to add a payment method at all, you can choose None under payment options, but this might not always show up unless you’re setting up your account again or during a fresh install.
Pro tip: If you don’t see ‘None,’ just add any valid method temporarily (like a gift card), grab the app, and then delete the payment method after. Apple tends to be unnecessarily extra about needing some kind of info, even for free stuff. 
Also, check your Content & Privacy Restrictions under Screen Time settings. Sometimes restrictions mess with downloads.
But seriously, do we really need to jump through hoops to download “Free Solitaire: Ads Edition?” Ugh.
Honestly, it’s ridiculous how Apple has this verification dance for free apps. Like, I’m not stealing Candy Crush, just let me download it in peace. Here’s what you might not have tried yet:
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Update Your iOS: Sometimes, outdated software gets weird about verification. Check for updates under Settings > General > Software Update. Who knows, maybe Apple secretly fixes these annoyances behind the scenes.
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Check Family Sharing Settings: If you’re in a Family Sharing group and purchase sharing is on, your device might be asking for verification because of parental controls or payment sharing settings. Go into Settings > Your Name > Family Sharing, and see what’s up.
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Sign Out & Back In: Literally, just log out of your Apple ID and log back in again. It sounds stupid, but it resets a lot of annoying quirks like this. You can find that in Settings > Your Name > Sign Out. You’ll need your Apple ID password to sign back in, obviously.
And I have to mildly disagree with the whole “delete old payment method” suggestion from @chasseurdetoiles (no shade). In my experience, even when I have no payment method listed, Apple sometimes still wants me to verify whatever ghost card I used to have, as though they can’t let go of the past.
It’s like Apple’s on a mission to make sure free means “jump through 14 hoops before you can enjoy this app.” They need to chill with the trust issues.
Yo, Apple’s “trust issues” with free apps—classic. But I’ve got another angle here. The key issue may stem from the billing address tied to your Apple ID. Even if the card is removed or expired, an invalid or outdated billing address can trigger these annoying verification prompts. Here’s a troubleshooting spin:
Fixing Free App Verification Annoyance
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Check Your Billing Address: Go into Settings > Your Name > Payment & Shipping. Even if “None” is selected, make sure your billing address is accurate. An incorrect zip code or country mismatch can trip the verifications.
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Parental Controls Factor: If Screen Time or Family Sharing with Purchase Sharing are active, even a free app could flag for permissions. Turn off restrictions temporarily under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Test installing the free app after that.
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Clean Sync: Use your computer or another trusted device. Log into iTunes or the App Store there with the same Apple ID and try downloading something free first. Sometimes resolving verification requests across devices can set the record straight for all.
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Apple ID Security Check: This might also be tied to recent suspicious activity on your Apple account. Go to your Apple ID account page (appleid.apple.com) and confirm there are no “weird” devices logged in, unauthorized purchases, or password changes flagged.
Now, let’s unpack this deeper. Removing payment info is a common fix strategy that works for some users, as pointed out earlier, but what if Apple won’t let you remove payment methods unless your balance is zero or subscriptions are managed? Frustrating, right? This is where managing the billing information accurately matters just as much, and you may be better off juggling through old info verification quirks FIRST.
Also, keep in mind: Apple isn’t the only store pulling these antics. Google Play occasionally locks down downloads or updates if your associated card declines, even if it’s unrelated to in-app purchases. Plenty of hoops everywhere.
Pros of Following This Workflow:
- Cleaner resolution without needing a card or gift method hack.
- Works across all apps—not just Free Solitaire or Candy Crush clones.
- Also helps with random subscription prompts or issues.
Cons:
- Doesn’t guarantee instant fixes if Apple’s servers are doing their “quirky” weekend updates.
- Requires patient manual device-and-account cleanup.
Last thing—if this doesn’t work, hit up Apple Support directly. Sometimes a prompt fix on their end (re-validating your ID or clearing a mismatch) resolves everything quicker than backups. But yeah, Apple still needs to CHILL with this nonsense. Give us our free apps quietly!