You can update most apps without entering a payment method, but the steps depend on which app store you use and what you're updating
App stores let you download and update free apps without a credit card, debit card, or other payment method attached to your account. Paid apps and in-app purchases still require payment information, but routine updates to free apps do not. The catch: some app stores make you add a payment method before you can do anything else, while others let you skip that step entirely. Knowing which store you're on and what options it gives you saves time and protects you from unexpected charges.
The process differs between Google Play and the Apple App Store, and both have workarounds if the store requires a payment method for account verification. You can also turn on automatic updates for free apps alone, which means your device will update them without prompting you each time.
Key Takeaways
- Google Play and the Apple App Store both allow you to update free apps without a payment method on file, but the process differs between them.
- If an app store requires a payment method before letting you proceed, you can use a gift card, a virtual card, or a prepaid card to satisfy the requirement without risking charges.
- Automatic updates can be turned on for free apps alone, which means your device will update them without prompting you or requiring payment information each time.
- Paid apps and in-app purchases will always require a valid payment method, but free app updates will not.
Updating free apps on Google Play without a payment method
Google Play lets you update free apps without a payment method attached to your account. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select Manage your Google Account, then go to the Payments & subscriptions tab. You can see what payment methods are on file and remove them if you want. Free app updates will still work.
If Google Play prompts you to add a payment method before letting you update, it usually means you are trying to download or update a paid app, or you are in a region where Google requires payment information for account verification. In that case, you have three options: add a real payment method, use a Google Play gift card (which counts as a payment method but has a set balance), or use a virtual card service that lets you create a card with a zero balance or a $1 limit.
To turn on automatic updates for free apps only, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, then Network preferences, and select Auto-update apps. Choose Over any network or Over Wi-Fi only. This way, free apps update on their own without you having to approve each one or provide payment information.
Updating free apps on the Apple App Store without a payment method
The Apple App Store requires a payment method to create an Apple ID, but you can set it to None when you sign up or change it later. Open the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top right, select Account Settings, then tap Payment and Shipping. You can change your payment method to None if you only plan to download and update free apps.
If you already have a payment method on file and want to remove it, go to the same menu and select None. Free app updates will continue to work. If the App Store asks you to add a payment method when you try to update a free app, it usually means your account information needs to be refreshed or you are in a region with different rules. Adding a gift card or a virtual card with a low balance can resolve this without committing to a full payment method.
To enable automatic updates for free apps, open Settings on your device, go to App Store, scroll to App Updates, and turn on Automatic Updates. Your device will update free apps in the background when connected to Wi-Fi, without asking for payment information.
Using gift cards and virtual cards to satisfy payment requirements
Some app stores or regions require a payment method on file even for free apps. If you do not want to use a credit or debit card, a gift card is a legitimate workaround. Google Play and the Apple App Store both accept gift cards as a payment method. You can buy a gift card with cash at a retailer, add it to your account, and the store will treat it as your payment method. Once the balance runs out, the app store will not charge you anything.
Virtual card services like Privacy, Blur, or your bank's built-in virtual card feature let you create a card number with a set spending limit or a zero balance. You can add this to your app store account, and it will satisfy the payment requirement without risk. If the store tries to charge you, the transaction will decline because the card has no funds. This approach works on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Neither of these methods affects your ability to update free apps. Once the payment method is on file, free app updates proceed normally. You only get charged if you try to buy a paid app or make an in-app purchase.
What happens when you try to update a paid app without payment information
If you own a paid app and your payment method is no longer valid or on file, you cannot update it. The app store will ask you to add or fix your payment information before the update can proceed. This is different from free apps: the store needs to know it can charge you if there is a subscription attached to the app or if the app itself requires a new purchase to update.
If you want to keep using a paid app but do not want to add a payment method, you have two choices: leave the app at its current version (which may stop working if the operating system updates), or remove the app and download a free alternative. Some paid apps offer free versions with limited features, so check the app store to see if that option exists before you delete the paid version.
Turning off automatic updates to avoid payment prompts
If your app store keeps asking for a payment method when you try to update, you can disable automatic updates and update apps manually instead. On Google Play, go to Settings and turn off Auto-update apps. On the Apple App Store, go to Settings > App Store and turn off Automatic Updates. You can then update individual free apps by opening the store, finding the app, and tapping Update.
Manual updates take more effort, but they give you control over when and how updates happen. This approach works best if you only use free apps and want to avoid any payment method requirement. Check your app store every few weeks to see which apps have updates available, or enable notifications so the store alerts you when updates are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update a free app if I deleted my payment method?
Yes. Free app updates do not require a payment method on file. If the app store prompts you for payment information when updating a free app, it usually means the app has changed to a paid model, it includes in-app purchases, or your account needs verification. Try updating again, or contact the app developer to confirm the app is still free.
What if my payment method expired and I do not want to add a new one?
You can remove the expired payment method from your account. Free apps will continue to update. If you own any paid apps, you will need to add a valid payment method before you can update them. For free apps only, no payment method is required.
Do I need a payment method to download an app for the first time?
No, not for free apps. You can download free apps without any payment information. Paid apps require a payment method on file before you can download them, even if you are paying with a gift card balance.
Will removing my payment method stop my subscriptions?
No. Removing a payment method does not cancel subscriptions. Your subscription will continue until you manually cancel it through the app or the app store. If your payment method fails, the app store will try to charge you using other methods on file, or the subscription will pause until you add a working payment method.
Can I use a prepaid card instead of a credit card for app store updates?
Yes. Prepaid cards work the same way as credit cards on app stores. You can add a prepaid card as your payment method, and it will satisfy any payment requirement. Once the balance runs out, the card will decline any charges, so you are protected from unexpected costs.