How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed
Learn which payment method is charged when you buy subscriptions like iCloud+ or items from the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books, or Apple TV app. Several purchases might be grouped into one charge.
Multiple items might be grouped onto one bill
When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, your payment method is charged at the time of purchase or within a few days.
If you don’t recognize a charge, try to identify that charge in your purchase history and see if multiple purchases were grouped onto one larger charge. Or look at the receipt that was emailed to you and see if multiple purchases were included. If you use Family Sharing, both the purchaser and the family organizer will receive an email receipt.
In Europe and India, purchases might not be grouped.
If you see a pending charge for a small amount
If you update your billing information or add someone to your Family Sharing group, a temporary authorization hold for a small amount might appear on your statement. Authorization holds are removed by your card issuer or financial institution after a short time.
Which payment method is charged?
When you buy items or pay for subscriptions, Apple attempts to charge your payment methods in this order:
Apple attempts to use your Apple Account balance to cover the full amount. What you can buy with your Apple Account balance.
If you don't have Apple Account balance or you don't have enough to cover the full amount, Apple attempts to charge your primary payment method. If you use Family Sharing, Apple charges your personal Apple Account balance before the family organizer's primary payment method.
If there's a problem with the primary payment method, or if the primary payment method can't be charged for the full remaining amount, Apple attempts to charge your other payment methods in order from top to bottom. Your primary payment method is at the top. When managing your payment methods, tap Edit to reorder a payment method.
If none of them can be charged, Apple might try again.
Some purchases aren’t charged to your Apple Account balance
You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
For some recurring charges, like AppleCare+, you can't start your subscription with Apple Account balance. But as long as you keep another valid payment method on file and your Apple Account balance would cover an entire charge, your recurring charge will pull from your Apple Account balance.*
Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple Account balance.
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 available only to you.
* In some countries and regions, your Apple Account balance can’t be used for some subscriptions like AppleCare+. Check if Apple Account balance in your country or region isn’t supported.
If none of your payment methods can be charged
If none of your payment methods can be charged, your account shows a negative balance. You can't buy, download, or update more apps or items until you update your payment method.
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