Apple picker Sometimes it happens that you buy an app that you don't really want at all. Is there a way to return it? Yes. Will I get my money back? Yes. Today we will talk about how to do it and add some important information.
First, we published this guide a few years ago, but since the process is a bit different now, it needs to be updated. Second, requesting a refund for an app is recommended no more than three times a year, after which Apple might not comply, it would be suspicious to say the least. So how to do it?
Let's open iTunes and switch to the iTunes Store. In the upper left corner, we click on our account (if we are logged in, otherwise we log in) and select the option Account.
In the account information, we are interested in the third section Purchase history, where we select an item See all.
We appear in the history of our purchases, where in the first part we see the most recent purchases (it is still possible to complain and request the cancellation of the payment), in the second an overview of all in the history of our Apple ID. We select an item under the overview Report to Problem.
A very similar page will load, but we have added an option for applications that have not yet been registered Report to Problem. For the application we want to return, we select this option and wait for the Internet browser to open.
On the loaded page, log in with your Apple ID.
Now we see unaccounted apps. For the one where we chose the option Report to Problem, a field to fill in information and a list of reasons why we want to return the application also appeared.
We select one of the options that corresponds to our problem, then click on Submit and with that we will confirm everything. A confirmation e-mail will come later, and finally an e-mail about the settlement (either positive or negative).
We can choose from several examples of why we want to return the application:
I did not authorize this purchase. (I have not confirmed this purchase/unwanted purchase.)
You can use this reason if, for example, you clicked on the price button instead of the application icon and bought the application straight away. At the same time, it's one of the surest ways you can claim an app. The wording of your request may be as follows:
Hello Apple support,
I accidentally bought [application name] because I set iTunes not to ask me for the password any time I buy an application. Therefore I bought this application instantly by clicking the price button, however I just wanted to click the icon. Since the application actually has no use for me, I would like to ask you if I could get a refund for it. Thank you.
Kind regards
[Your name]
Item didn't download or can't be found. (Item not downloaded or not found.)
Here the reason is clear. Apple explains that whenever you download content in iTunes, it is automatically saved to iTunes in the Cloud – that is, if you were unable to download the purchased app the first time, you should be able to find it in your purchase history and in the purchased apps tab of the App Store on iOS devices. Here, Apple offers a direct link to iTunes for a list of your purchased apps.
Item won't install or download too slowly. (The item did not install or is downloading too slowly.)
The app won't install for you, for example, if you've purchased an app that no longer supports your iOS device, or if you've downloaded the iPad version instead of the iPhone version, and vice versa. The wording of your request may be as follows:
Hello Apple support,
I bought this application called [name of application], but I did not realize it will not support my [name of your device, e.g. iPhone 3G]. Since the application has no use for me, considering the fact that it will not run on my device, I would like to ask you if I could get a refund for it. Thank you.
Kind regards
[Your name]
Item opened but doesn't function as expected. (Item downloaded but not working as I expected.)
Previously, Apple offered a text box for this option where you could describe why the app didn't meet your expectations and get a replacement. However, now Apple renounces this activity and if you are not satisfied with an application, it refers you to the website of the developers with whom you have to solve your problems.
Problem is not listed here. (The problem is not mentioned here.)
In this case, describe your problem and try to explain why you would like to return the application. It is this box that can partially replace the previous option, where Apple no longer offers to contact him directly due to dissatisfaction with the application, but only the developer. However, they cannot advertise your purchase in iTunes.
You can use the following application crash request:
Hello Apple support,
I bought this application called [application name], but I experience frequent crashes while using it. Although the application seems good in general, these crashes make it useless and they avoid me from using it. Therefore I would like to ask you if I could get a refund for it. Thank you.
Kind regards
[Your name]
Alternatively, write about the disappointment of an application from which you were promised something different. Then it's up to Apple how they deal with your complaint:
Hello Apple support,
I bought this application called [application name], but I got really disappointed when I first launched it. The description in the App Store was pretty unclear for me and I expected the application to be something else. If I knew the application would be as it is, I would not buy it at all. Therefore I would like to ask you if I could get a refund for it. Thank you.
Kind regards
[Your name]
Conclusion, summary
After submitting your application, expect an email conversation with the progress of your application. As a rule, everything is done within 14 days, but usually sooner.
As mentioned, try not to use this option too often, so trying to download paid apps and then returning them is definitely not recommended.
What 14 days? If I do it at the time when I receive an email confirming the payment, then the result that I get my money back is quite immediate.
And "immediately" is not "within 14 days"? Just because you had it right away doesn't mean it's always like that.
Well, I returned about 10 applications in total. All cases were approved immediately, but in most cases I filed a complaint within 12 hours after I received the email.
I also complained to the application that it did not give what was written. E.g. localization to the road was written on the product, but in reality it was not there.
Prize != price
Please, could you advise me what to do with the application that I bought a year ago (Timeline) and later also the extensions. However, after updating the app, my extensions got deleted and now I see them as unpurchased. :( I already contacted the developer of the application twice, but no one got back to me. Is it possible to solve this somehow through Apple?
Are you sure the extensions were part of the update? It requires reading the entire update release notes.
So how should I proceed?
I don't know now, but you always need to read the Release notes for updates. Hopefully the developer will contact you and you can solve it together.