What to do when a refund request is denied on the App Store?

Hi! I hope you can help me with this situation. I requested a refund few days ago and now it say’s its not eligible to refund. So i submit a “review a decision” but still got denied.


So here’s the situation, my little cousin bought the 3 game apps and automatically deducted on my account. When I request a refund I picked the “a child/minor” option but still got denied. I don’t know what to do. Please I really do need a refund because that money is very important to me.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 23, 2024 4:36 AM

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Posted on Jul 18, 2024 8:17 AM

Please help me get back my money. The decision is very unfair. Apple said it was not eligible for refund when in fact I never use that app and that app never existed already from my device still it purchase the subscription without my knowledge. Pleade be fair to us. We needed that money. Please help me it was a big money you took from me.

46 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 18, 2024 8:17 AM in response to amor19

Please help me get back my money. The decision is very unfair. Apple said it was not eligible for refund when in fact I never use that app and that app never existed already from my device still it purchase the subscription without my knowledge. Pleade be fair to us. We needed that money. Please help me it was a big money you took from me.

Jan 23, 2024 7:11 AM in response to amor19

The people responding on this support forum are users like you and we only know what Apple says in its documentation and what our own and other users' experience tells us. Apple does not have much on its criteria for refusing refunds. Here are two sections from Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions - Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple


- "All Transactions are final."

I understand this as meaning Apple is starting from a point where any refund is considered an exception. They can simply say no without having to provide a reason. I understand this can be frustrating but by using the service you agree to the terms.


- "From time to time, Apple may suspend or cancel payment or refuse a refund request if we find evidence of fraud, abuse, or unlawful or other manipulative behavior that entitles Apple to a corresponding counterclaim." Make of this what you will. Think of reasons why somebody may consider your request to be fraud or abuse. Remember, Apple cannot reach out and remove something you have downloaded. They have to trust that your request is sincere and honest, but there may be limits.


You can see if the terms are different for where you live by clicking on this link Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple select your location and then your language.


If you feel you want to discuss a refund request, try to contact a live person using a telephone or chat request.


Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


or:


"See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world." Click here --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support


These articles may also interest you:


You can use Screen Time to prevent unintentional or unauthorized purchases from the App Store and other Apple services. —> Use Screen Time to prevent purchasing - Apple Support


Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases

Require a password for App Store and iTunes purchases - Apple Support


Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


Ask To Buy

Set up Ask to Buy - Apple Support



Aug 1, 2024 2:35 PM in response to amor19

I have requested a refund for my child who spent her money without my permission. He says the invention was made up and starts to figure out what this invention is? My child was able to buy things from his toys without permission and bought many of them separately. I have requested a refund but I am unable to find out the knowledge, can you help me with this?

Aug 1, 2024 2:49 PM in response to Cv333-s

Read this support article for information about how to check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple, and long it takes to receive a refund if you are granted one --> Check the status of a refund for apps or content that you bought from Apple - Apple Support

After you request a refund you'll receive a status update by email within 48 hours. If your refund is approved, the funds are applied to the same payment method that you used to buy the item. How long it takes for a refund to appear on your account or statement depends upon the payment method used:


● Store credit—It might take up to 48 hours to see the refund in your Apple Account balance.

● Mobile phone billing—It might take up to 60 days for the statement to show the refund. Processing time might be affected by your carrier. You can contact your carrier for an update.

● Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Apple Cash, and all other payment methods—It might take up to 30 days for the statement to show the refund. If you don't see the refund after 30 days, contact your financial institution."

Since the article specifically says "statement", which for me is the thing that arrives monthly in my mailbox, I wonder if you check your daily card transactions if you might see it earlier?


Dec 25, 2024 5:48 AM in response to phindile36

phindile36 wrote:

Please help me for a refund that iPhone took from my bank card.I requested a refund but got denied because a child subscribe to the App and I did unsubscribe and deleted the app but still I wasn’t refunded.What am I supposed to do now because I really need the money for my mom’s medicine💔😭

Sorry to hear that happened to you. Deleting the app or unsubscribing does not refund your money because the purchase has already been made and all transactions in the App Store are considered final, even though on occasion Apple may offer a compassionate refund. It should never be expected though.


Apple provides many methods to prevent a child from making purchases on either your phone or theirs if they have one and you are on a plan that uses Purchase Sharing, but they must be used by you. Here are some examples:

  • Require Password for Purchases

Require a password for purchases in the App Store and other Apple services - Apple Support

  • Ask to Buy for Purchases

Approve what kids buy with Ask to Buy - Apple Support

  • Prevent In-app purchases

Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

  • Prevent downloading apps altogether by going to:

Setttings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps


There may be one last shot at a refund after a denial by using the information provided here:

If you disagree with your final decision, contact dpo@apple.com.

https://reportaproblem.apple.com/static/en-us/privacy.html

Dec 28, 2024 8:17 AM in response to Gr8nomi

Gr8nomi wrote:
So here’s the situation I already deleted the subscription app but my subscription amount detected I don’t know what to do. Please I really do need a refund because that money is very important to me.

Cancelling a subscription is done by using the steps provided here. They are not automatically cancelled by deleting the app or not using the service.

View or cancel app subscriptions on iPhone - Apple Support


If it was a free trial, then you must use that link to cancel at least 24 hours before the trial period ends, otherwise it will become a subscription. All transactions in the App Store are final, but in some cases Apple may provide a compassionate refund on a case by case basis. It should never be expected though.

Jan 28, 2025 10:18 AM in response to richlove213

For everyone here, please read Mac Jim's excellent posting. And let me point out that this is a community forum where Apple users try to help other Apple users with technical problems. Put another way, we are all just Apple users, like you. None of here are able to issue refunds. Only Apple can do that and they do not participate in the community forums.


You may find this other community discussion helpful:

What to do when a refund request is denie… - Apple Community


Dec 16, 2024 7:22 PM in response to Mini_Lover7

Most services are available outside the App Store.

  • X (Twitter)
  • Neftlix
  • YouTube
  • Spotify
  • Pandora
  • Walmart

Actually it is just about every service I can think of and way too many to list. You are free to purchase those subscriptions outside the App Store and use them in the app, that is entirely up to you. Just realize that there will not be one place to cancel those subscriptions as there is with the App Store, and you will need to deal with each developer directly. Refunds are a hit/miss whether you try from a website subscription or App Store.


The choice is yours. App Store offers the convenience with easy cancellation in one place or sign up with the developer on their website. It is the developer that sets the price for the subscription in the App Store and on their website, so there is really no competition that will drive the price down.

Dec 25, 2024 7:38 PM in response to Nananino

Nananino wrote:

why not eligible for refund??? i need my money back!

Have not idea as you have not provided any information on how the charge occurred or the circumstances of the charge. You are not speaking to Apple here and none of us can give you your money back.


In most cases all transactions in the App Store are final. At times, Apple may provide a compassionate refund, but it should never be expected. Some apps offer a free trial so you can try out a service and as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial period ends, you will not see a charge. For an app that does not provide a free trial, you cannot create your own free trial by trying the app out yourself and requesting a refund later.

Dec 27, 2024 7:41 AM in response to ElertZ

  • What is the app?
  • Did you use a Free Trial?
  • Did you go to their website for a free trial?


All free trials will automatically become a subscription if not cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial period ends. Any in-app purchase, even for a free trial, will require you to double click the side button with the amount showing on the screen. The free trial will show as free until the date shown and also the subscription price if not cancelled. After you double click the side button it is followed by verification using biometrics or Passcode to prevent any purchase from someone who does not know your credentials. Subscriptions don't start just by downloading an app.


It makes no difference if you use the app after the trial/subscription is started. That is true for any subscription, for example, you may have a HBO/Max subscription and will be charged each month whether you watch any of the shows or not. You will want to make sure the subscription is cancelled to avoid any future charges.

View or cancel app subscriptions on iPhone - Apple Support

What to do when a refund request is denied on the App Store?

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