How to get a refund for an in-app purchase. How to get a refund for an accidentally purchased app in the App Store. The story of how I was charged money for a free app

How can I cancel App Store, iTunes and in-app purchases? It turns out there is a possibility!

Although moderators at Apple review all media content in the App Store and iTunes for quality and relevance, there are times when beautiful screenshots and descriptions mislead us. Applications turn out to be “dummies”, they don’t cost anything, the developers are scammers. It happened that you spent several hundred rubles, but the program either didn’t like it, or was simply a curve. It would be nice to cancel the purchase and return the money.

How do I cancel a purchase using iTunes on Mac or Windows?

To return the money spent on an unnecessary application, you need to follow these steps. I have Mac OS, but I think on Windows, iTunes is not much different.

AppStore moderators will review your request and respond, usually it takes from one day to a week.

How to cancel a purchase through the Apple website

If you don't have access to your computer or simply prefer not to use iTunes. You can still request to cancel a purchase using any web browser.

Within a few days to one week, Apple will send a response indicating whether your request has been granted.

Refund Notice

The refund usually takes one or two days, and Apple employees may contact you to clarify the reason for the refusal. If you have any questions, write them in the comments

You have probably already read a huge amount of materials on the topic “how to return money from the App Store” and I won’t reveal America to you that this is quite possible, though not more than twice a month, or even once. You should not abuse it, it is better to leave such an opportunity to really rash acts and mistakes. For example, my child loves both the iPad and the iPhone very much - his eyes are filled with blood at the sight of gadgets and he begins to fanatically click on all kinds of buttons, so no one is safe from purchases. We already had material on how to set up .

So you bought - you didn't like it.

We go to iTunes -> Account Information -> enter the password and we are in the system.

We go to the "Purchase History" and see all our purchases, not only the App Store, but also the iTunes Store.

To the left of each purchase, there are arrows corresponding to your purchases. Click on it, and then "Report a problem." Enter the reason for the return in the input field. I pointed out the most banal: I bought a child and promised in a joking manner that I would set up restrictions for my son. The next day, I receive confirmation in my mail that the money will be returned. And so it happened, four days later I got the full amount back.

There is a bug in the history of returning with this method. In the previous screenshot, it is clearly visible that there is no arrow for reporting a problem opposite the Anews application, which I downloaded last. In this case, we go to the App Store and download any free application, and our (last) one goes down, where you can already make a claim :)

I told you the most common way to return, but there is an even more convenient mechanism that you need to use, and without the participation of iTunes.

Apple's largest stores - the App Store, iBooks Store, and the iTunes Store - contain a huge amount of content. But unfortunately, for example, in the App Store, not all developers are honest, and therefore the purchased application or game does not correspond to the description at all. Money thrown away? No, you still have the option to get a refund for your purchase.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't have an accessible return system like Android does. In this operating system, if you have made a purchase, you can test the purchase for as long as 15 minutes, and if it does not meet your requirements at all, you can return it without any problems. You can also get a refund on a purchase from Apple, but this is a little more difficult.

Please note that you can return money for a purchase if it was made recently (maximum a week). It is also worth considering that this method should not be resorted to too often, otherwise you may face a refusal.

Method 1: iTunes

Method 2: Apple website

In this method, the application for a refund will be carried out exclusively through the browser.

Method 3: Cancel Subscription

Many services and apps in the iTunes Store offer subscription options. For example, the Apple Music service allows you to access millions of tracks and download your favorite songs and albums to your device. All these features are available to users for a small monthly fee, which will be automatically debited from the user's card on the settlement day. To stop debiting, the subscription must be cancelled.

Apps and games purchased from the App Store can be returned within 24 hours. In this case, the funds will be credited to your account in full. Unfortunately, you will not find buttons to cancel an order in the store - the procedure is a little more complicated. You will need the desktop version of iTunes to work.

You will also have to explain to Apple why you decided to return the money. If the game does not work for you or often crashes, then you can ask for a refund. This is the most common reason people want their money back. However, in this case, Apple will answer that you first need to contact the developer, ask him to fix the problems, and only if he answers that there really are problems and they cannot be fixed, then you may be refunded.

A completely different situation is when the description of the application in the App Store does not correspond to reality. For example, the screenshots show one thing, but in reality the program looks completely different. Or it is a joke program, for example, "X-ray", which, of course, does not work like an X-ray and cannot scan a person. Here it is important to carefully read the description and make sure that it does not say that this application is a joke. This reason for Apple is considered the most significant and you will be refunded.

Returns money to Apple and for erroneous purchases. For example, you made a mistake in the name, since the two programs had very similar names. It is even enough for the applications to have the same icons. The fact that both programs are in the same section, have similar functionality, or even belong to the same developer increases the chances of a return.

How to get a refund for purchases in the App Store:

Step 1: Open iTunes on your computer (Mac or Windows).

Step 2: Go to the main page of the store and in the Quick Links section, open the "Account" section. In the window that opens, enter your account information.

Step 3: In the right column, click the "Account" link again. This will take you to your account information page, where you can view your purchase history and complete the refund process.

Step 4: Scroll down the account page and you will see the "Purchase History" section. Here you need to click the link "See all".

Step 5: Open a list of your recent purchases and downloads. Find the app you want a refund for.

Step 6: Click on the arrow to the left of the application name to view the description of the program in more detail.

Step 7: Click the "Report a problem" button and the "Report a problem" link will appear in the list, which you also need to click. The most important thing is to apply for a refund no later than one day from the date of purchase.

Step 8: A special page for refunding purchases will open in the browser. Enter your account settings to go to the problem description.

Step 9: In this step, you need to explain to Apple why you want to return the app. If you decide to return money for programs every day, then after a while you will be refused. The reason "I just don't like this app because..." won't help. Your subjective opinion does not in any way determine that the application is bad and you need to make a refund. Therefore, if you did not like the graphics in the game or you used the program and realized that it is no longer needed, then you will not be able to return the money.

Step 10: You have to choose a problem from the list of proposed ones and write a capacious comment on English language. Apple offers several ready-made options:

• I did not consent to this purchase.
• The content was not loaded or cannot be found.
• Content is not installed or loading too slowly.
• Content opens but doesn't work correctly.
• The problem is not listed.

Step 11 A: After you have written the application, click the "Submit" button. Within a few hours, you will receive an email stating that your claim has been accepted.

After that, you need to wait for another letter from Apple stating that an employee of the company has started working with the application, and within 2 days you will receive a detailed answer from support. Depending on the situation, you will either immediately receive a refund to your account or be asked to clarify some points, send screenshots, or simply refuse.

This version of the article is no longer relevant, as of November 2019, Apple stopped supporting iTunes. We will update the instructions soon.

Returning a T-shirt to a clothing store using the 14-day rule is a familiar and understandable mechanism. Another thing is if the purchase is virtual, and the seller is in another country. Your reasons for returning money from the App Store for an application downloaded to your iPhone may be different: for example, you installed the application, but it does not work or does not match the description. Or maybe you clicked the "buy" button by accident or just changed your mind. The most difficult thing is if you forgot to cancel the auto-renewal of a paid subscription. But here, too, there is a way out. The Village correspondent also did not put up with the loss of $ 100 and told how to defeat a transnational corporation.

If you have installed a paid program

The App Store is just a section of the iTunes online store. Programs can be paid for as a one-time, as a whole, and with a frequency of a month or a year - by subscription. Let's analyze the first case: you bought an application, and now you realize that it doesn't suit you.

Important! To request a refund, no more than 48 hours must pass from the time of purchase.

Sign in to iTunes, open your purchase history

You cannot manage purchases through the App Store itself from your phone. Install the latest version of iTunes on your computer or laptop. Then open the program, log in with your Apple ID - the login and password window should pop up almost immediately. Then in the top menu, where there are usually "Edit" and "View" buttons, select "Account", and in it click "View ...". After a short pause, a white page of your profile will open with different settings, the fifth line will be "Purchase History", and there you need to click the small button "See. all".

Complain about a specific application

On the new page, all your downloaded applications will be written in a column - both free and paid. Find the one you need, open its card by clicking "More", and then - "Report a problem."

Choose the right arguments

Further, you will most likely be redirected to a page in the browser, although in some versions of iTunes the “Report a problem” questionnaire opens directly in the program. The little "Select a problem" drop-down menu is where the trick lies: of the seven options, only the first two - purchase without your knowledge and purchase "by mistake" - lead to a connection with an Apple support representative. In other cases, the company will first require the developer of the program to fix it, and you may not wait for a refund.

Now, in the text box below, you need to explain what kind of result you are waiting for and why. This must be done in English. If you are not sure of your knowledge, use an online translator. App Store users have learned through experience that the most common excuses for refunds are: a child used my phone and installed an app while I was busy; my phone was stolen; the account has been hacked; The display sensor has malfunctioned. Your subjective complaints and claims will not work here, only two factors are important - you were deceived (for example, the author of the application) or the payment was made without your knowledge. Your message must end with a request for a refund.

Don't abuse trust

A response from the support service should come within two business days. If the request is satisfied, the money will be returned immediately or within a week. It's not worth asking for a refund too often: Apple has a history of all your requests, and litigation can rob you of confidence.

If your paid subscription has been renewed

It's harder to get a refund if you subscribed. Many applications provide for a demo period: you install the program for free, and after some time you pay for a subscription - sometimes for a year at once, which can amount to a large amount, on average from 5 to 20 thousand rubles. If this has already happened, turn on the “get everyone” tactic. The same strategy works if the auto-renewal of the subscription has worked: usually, before withdrawing money for this, the App Store displays warnings several times and sends reminders to the mail twice with a specific amount and date, but even if you missed the letters, there is no need to despair .

Contact application support directly

Get a “sympathetic response” from them

Even if you are denied, try to get wording in which the developer will refer to "technical barriers" and not to their own unwillingness to return the money. Most often, the responsibility for the return is shifted to Apple. This answer should be saved as a screenshot.

Find a specific transaction in your email

Again we return to communication with Apple. After following the previous steps in iTunes, you may find that the "Report a problem" button for a purchased subscription is grayed out, unlike just purchased apps. In this case, the required link will be in the payment notification letter that Apple automatically sends to your email after each transaction. It will lead to the same "justification page" as in the instructions above.

Important! The only valid version of the argument or "cause of the error" is that the purchase was made without your consent (Unauthorized purchase). Only this point leads to a letter to the operator. Select this item if you want a refund.

Be Persuasive

In the text field, you again need to be eloquent. The responsibility for the purchase can be shifted to the children. You can also mention how large the amount was written off by mistake and the fact that you did not use the application itself (this can also be tracked and verified by Apple). It's important to understand that Apple isn't obligated to refund any missed auto-renewal subscriptions at all - the company is just going to meet your needs.

Example text in translation:

My girlfriend's kid installed this app without my knowledge and he told me he didn't know anything about the paid subscription ( English premium subscribe). In fact, I think he tried to cancel it, but didn't figure out how.

It was a mistake, I did not authorize this payment ( English I didn't give permission to this purchase) and only found out about it now! The transaction only went through this morning, less than half a day has passed (the traditional App Store refund deadline is 90 days, as far as I know). I have not used this program, it is not some kind of trick.

Please help me get my money back and cancel my subscription. The dollar exchange rate against the ruble is now very high, and for this amount I can rent an apartment in Moscow for half a month.

Refer to the sympathy of the author of the application

Attach to the request a photo of the developer's response, where he sympathized and sent you to Apple - for this, you can upload a screenshot to the cloud service and insert a link into your text. Each such complaint is handled manually by a real person, and you must be persuasive.

Get a letter of happiness

It takes about four business days for Apple to respond to subscription issues. And you can expect a refund from ten working days to a month - it depends on the amount and your country of residence.