Charging for a free e-Sword app on iPhone

The app you posted is not Free, it costs R199.99. If it was a Free app, then you would see the button that says "Get" instead of the price to download. The second screenshot is for adding a payment method where it says "You will not be charged until you make a purchase". After adding the payment method and tapping the button that says R199.99, you are making a purchase, so will be charged for that app.

After tapping the button with a payment method on file, you will see the Authorization Screen that will show you the amount you will be charge and require you to approve by double clicking the side button. After that your purchase will be verified with FaceID/TouchID or Passcode.

riana12 wrote:

Why have I received these (2xscreenshots) when I attempt to download the app.?

Read what was posted earlier. Your question was already answered.

If it is asking for a payment method then you have no option but to enter one such as a credit or debit card. Read the support article Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support about how to do that.

Apple's official support articles present multiple statements* about situations requiring the presence of a payment method at times, even for free items. You do not always have to have one, but if you are encountering one of those situations then you have no option but to enter a valid payment method if you wish to continue your purchase. See https://support.apple.com/HT201266 The payment method may not be charged if you also have account balance or the item is free, but the payment method has to be present. You might even be able to remove it again immediately once Apple has seen it.

This article lists valid payment methods for different countries but note that in this situation Apple Account balance alone apparently may not meet the requirement and you need to use another payment method until you find one that satisfies Apple's requirement (often a credit or debit card): Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support .

If you have already entered a payment method, use the “Add a payment method” link above to check it. If a message appears in red there is a problem with it. If the information is still correct and current, contact your financial institution. Also check this resource --> If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support

* Ref.:

Add a payment method to your Apple Account - Apple Support

"To make purchases from the App Store and use subscriptions like iCloud+ and Apple Music, you need at least one payment method on file." Note that there may be a differences between “purchasing” an app for money, and simply “getting” one for free. I get free ones with no payment method.

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- "You might need to have a payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free."

If you can’t download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- If you have any active subscriptions, you must have at least one payment method on file other than Apple ID credit.

- You might not be able to remove a payment method if you have a balance due.

Sign in to your Apple Account on the web or in your device settings - Apple Support

- "When you sign in to the App Store and other media services for the first time, you might need to add a credit card or other payment information."

How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

- You can’t charge gifts to your Apple ID balance. If you send a gift or gift card, your primary payment method is charged.

- Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple ID balance.

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

"Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase."

To reiterate what Mac Jim ID said,

An app that costs money to download could have "in-app purchases", too. In this case, when I looked at the listing of the app on the U.S. App Store, I did not see any in-app purchases – just an initial price ($9.99 USD).

A lot of the apps that are "free" are only free in the sense that you are not charged for downloading them. Many of them are chock-full of "in-app purchases" for "subscriptions" or artificial consumables – making them like vending machines, or coin-operated arcade games. An app that costs a small amount of money up-front may be preferable that is "free" to download but that requires a continuing stream of payments to fully use.

riana12 wrote:

Why have I received these (2xscreenshots) when I attempt to download the app.?

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/b231339a-ba33-4433-aa77-9bc29ef3a958

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/a00688d9-588f-4dba-abac-f2456aefaa0b

Well that's clearly not a free app. Where did you get the idea it was a free app?

It clearly shows a price there.

Free apps will have a Get button instead of a price like your screenshot shows.

You will be charged that amount for downloading the app.

You do not pay anything to download a free app. After you download an app, they may offer you a Free Trial and if you do not cancel that a day before the trial ends, then you are signed up for the subscription and must pay. That is stated clearly on the authorization screen after double clicking the side button, followed by authorization with Face ID/Touch ID or Passcode.

Another scenario is if you had a previous purchase that was unable to be processed due to lack of funds or a problem with your payment method. In that case, you will see the attempt to charge you again and that could be the next time you attempt to use the App Store.

And finally, you may be required to have a payment method on file to download free apps, even though there is no charge. Many apps have in-app purchases and that payment method would only be billed if you chose one of those.

In any case, you are not charged to download free apps.