How to Request an Apple Refund
You can request a refund for an app, in-app purchase, subscription, or other content bought through Apple by going to your purchase history in the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books, finding the item, and selecting "Report a Problem." Apple will ask why you want the refund. If you bought something by mistake, it was charged twice, or the content didn't work as described, Apple often approves refunds within a few days. The money goes back to your original payment method — the same card, Apple ID balance, or other source you used to buy it.
The process is the same whether you bought on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the web. You don't call Apple or email a support address; the refund request goes through your account. Apple's refund window is typically 14 to 90 days depending on what you bought, but you can request one outside that window and explain why. If Apple denies your first request, you can ask again with more detail about what went wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Go to your purchase history in the App Store, iTunes Store, or Apple Books and select "Report a Problem" next to the item you want refunded.
- Tell Apple why you want the refund — accidental purchase, duplicate charge, content didn't work, or subscription you didn't mean to renew.
- Refunds usually process within three to five business days and return to your original payment method.
- You can request a refund up to 90 days after purchase, though Apple may approve requests outside that window if you explain the reason.
- If Apple denies your request, you can submit another one with additional details or contact your bank or credit card company if the charge was fraudulent.
Where to Find Your Purchase History
On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap "Purchases." You'll see all apps you've bought or downloaded. Tap "My Purchases" to see paid apps, or scroll to find the one you want to refund. For in-app purchases or subscriptions, go to Settings, tap your name, select "Subscriptions," and find the one you want to cancel or refund.
On Mac, open the App Store, click your account icon in the top right, then click "Account Settings." Under "Purchases," you'll see your history. On the web, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, scroll to "Media and Purchases," and click "View Account." You can also refund iTunes music, movies, and books the same way — find them in your purchase history and select "Report a Problem."
What Reasons Apple Accepts for Refunds
Apple approves refunds most often for accidental purchases, duplicate charges, and subscriptions you didn't mean to renew. If you bought an app or game by mistake — tapped the wrong button, didn't mean to confirm the purchase — Apple will usually refund it. If you were charged twice for the same thing, report both charges and explain what happened.
Subscriptions that renewed without your knowledge are also common refund reasons. If you thought you cancelled a subscription but it charged you again, or if you didn't realize a free trial would convert to a paid subscription, Apple often refunds the charge. If an app or in-app purchase didn't work as described — it crashed, features didn't function, or it looked nothing like the preview — you can request a refund for that too. Apple is less likely to refund if you simply changed your mind about wanting the content, but you can still ask.
How Long Refunds Take and Where the Money Goes
Most refunds process within three to five business days. The money returns to the payment method you used to buy it. If you paid with a credit or debit card, it goes back to that card and may take an extra day or two to show up, depending on your bank. If you paid with an Apple ID balance (gift card or previous refund), the money goes back into your Apple ID account and is available immediately.
If you paid through a carrier — your phone bill — the refund goes back to your carrier account. Check your next bill to see the credit. During holidays or weekends, refunds may take longer. You'll get an email from Apple when the refund is processed, but don't rely on that email alone — check your payment method or Apple ID balance to confirm the money arrived.
What to Do If Apple Denies Your Refund Request
If Apple says no the first time, you can submit another request with more detail. Go back to "Report a Problem," select the same item, and explain more specifically what went wrong. If it was a subscription you didn't mean to renew, mention the date you thought you cancelled it. If an app didn't work, describe which features failed or when it crashed. Apple reviews second requests and sometimes approves them when the first explanation wasn't detailed enough.
If Apple denies the refund a second time and you believe the charge was wrong or fraudulent, contact your bank or credit card company. You can dispute the charge through them, and they can force Apple to refund you. Keep the email from Apple showing your refund request and their denial — your bank will ask for it. This process takes longer than Apple's refund system but works when Apple won't budge.
Refunds for Subscriptions and Recurring Charges
Subscriptions work differently from one-time purchases. If you want to stop being charged, you need to cancel the subscription, not just request a refund. Go to Settings, tap your name, select "Subscriptions," find the one you want to stop, and tap "Cancel Subscription." This stops future charges immediately. If you want a refund for charges you've already paid, you can request one for the most recent billing cycle or for multiple cycles if you can explain why.
Apple is more likely to refund a recent subscription charge if you cancelled within a few days of being billed. If you've been paying for months and only now want your money back, Apple may deny it. But if the subscription auto-renewed without your knowledge — you thought you cancelled it but didn't, or the free trial converted without clear warning — you have a stronger case. Request the refund and explain that you didn't intend to keep paying.
Refunds for Apps, Games, and In-App Purchases
Apps and games bought through the App Store can be refunded within 14 to 90 days of purchase, depending on the type. Most app refunds happen within that window, but you can request one outside it and explain why. In-app purchases — coins, gems, extra lives, or other content bought inside an app — follow the same process. Find the app in your purchase history, select "Report a Problem," and explain what you bought and why you want it back.
In-app purchases are trickier because they're often tied to a specific game or app version. If the app was updated and the purchase no longer works, or if you bought something by accident while the app was open, Apple will usually refund it. If you spent money on in-app currency and then decided you didn't want to use it, Apple is less likely to refund, but you can still ask. Be specific about what you bought and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I bought an app and then found a free version?
Yes. Go to your purchase history, select "Report a Problem," and explain that you didn't know a free version was available. Apple often refunds paid apps in this situation. You'll keep access to the app you paid for even after the refund processes.
What if I accidentally bought an app for my child?
Request a refund through "Report a Problem" and explain it was an accidental purchase by a child. Apple approves these regularly. You can also set up Screen Time on your child's device to require a password before any purchase, which prevents future accidents.
How do I cancel a free trial before I'm charged?
Go to Settings, tap your name, select "Subscriptions," find the trial, and tap "Cancel Subscription." Do this before the trial ends. If you're already charged after the trial ended, request a refund for that charge through "Report a Problem."
Can I get a refund if I used the app or game after buying it?
Apple doesn't have a strict rule against refunding used apps or games. You can request one regardless of whether you opened it. Your reason matters more than usage — if you explain why you want the refund, Apple will consider it. Accidental purchases and malfunctioning apps are approved more often than "I changed my mind."
What if my refund doesn't show up after five days?
Check your email for confirmation from Apple. If the refund was approved, check your payment method or Apple ID balance — it may have arrived but not be obvious. If five business days have passed and you see nothing, contact Apple Support through your account settings and provide the refund request number from your email.