How to Get a Refund From the App Store (2026 Guide)
Last updated: October 15, 2026. Steps checked against Apple's support pages as published on that date.
To get a refund from the App Store, sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com, choose "I'd like to," then "Request a refund," pick a reason and the purchase, and submit. Apple usually replies within 24 to 48 hours. If it approves, the money goes back to your original payment method, which can take up to 30 days to show on a card statement.
What you need before you start
- The Apple Account that made the purchase. Refunds are tied to the account that paid, so if you have more than one, you'll need to sign in with each until you find the charge.
- A charge that has gone through. If the charge is still pending, Apple won't let you request a refund yet; wait for the email receipt first, according to Apple Support.
- Any device with a web browser. The refund form is a website, so it works the same on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows or Android.
How to request an App Store refund, step by step
- Open reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with the Apple Account you paid with.
- Tap or click "I'd like to," then choose "Request a refund."
- Choose the reason you want your money back, then choose Next.
- Select the app, subscription or in-app purchase, then choose Submit.
- If it's a subscription you no longer want, cancel it too. A refund for the last charge doesn't stop the next one. Cancel it on iPhone in Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions, or follow our guide to canceling any iOS subscription.
Apple doesn't publish a list of reasons that guarantee approval, so pick the one that matches what happened to that specific purchase.
How long an App Store refund takes
Apple says to allow 24 to 48 hours for an update on your request, and that phoning or chatting with Apple Support won't speed it up, on its refund status page.
Once a refund is approved, the money returns to the payment method you used. How quickly it shows up depends on that method:
| Payment method | Time for the refund to appear |
|---|---|
| Apple Account balance (store credit) | Up to 48 hours |
| Credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Apple Cash, other methods | Up to 30 days |
| Mobile phone billing | Up to 60 days |
If a card refund still hasn't appeared after 30 days, Apple's advice is to contact your bank. Apple also notes that you may lose access to the item once it's refunded.
How to check your refund status
- Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in.
- Choose Check Status of Claims. If that option isn't there, you have no pending refund requests.
- Tap or click Pending to see the status of each claim.
If you can't find the charge
Most "missing" charges were made with a different Apple Account or by a family member. Apple suggests these checks:
- Search your email for "receipt from Apple" or "invoice from Apple," and match the amount. The receipt shows what was bought and which Apple Account paid.
- Family Sharing organizers can request refunds for purchases charged to the shared payment method. On the Report a Problem site, tap the Apple Account button and choose All to see them.
- A different Apple Account made the purchase if the receipt shows another email address; sign in with that one.
- An unpaid order blocks refunds until it's paid, so you may need to update your payment details first.
Refunds for subscriptions and free trials
A free trial that turned into a paid subscription is a typical refund case. Request a refund for the charge you didn't intend to pay, and cancel the subscription in the same visit, or it will renew again.
If an app charged you immediately when it promised a free trial, or charged far more than its App Store listing suggested, choose the reason that fits and consider reporting it as a scam as well. Apps that do this often leave a trail in their reviews — our guide to spotting fake App Store reviews shows what to look for.
Before your next trial, it's worth checking an app's in-app purchase prices first. Every app page on AppsHunter shows the range of in-app purchase prices, so a $29.99 top tier is visible before you tap Try Free.
Your right to cancel in the UK and EU
In the UK and EU, Apple's Media Services terms give you a right to cancel a purchase within 14 days of receiving your receipt, without giving any reason, and Apple reimburses you within 14 days of receiving the notice, as the UK terms state.
There's an exception: you lose this right for content whose delivery has started at your request, once you've acknowledged that you're giving up the right. Apple recommends using Report a Problem to cancel, and its model cancellation form can be sent to rightofwithdrawal@apple.com.
Refund eligibility varies by country, and Apple's support page notes that users keep their rights under local consumer protection law, naming Australia and New Zealand specifically.
Purchases Apple can't refund
In some countries and regions, an app can sell digital goods without using Apple's payment system. Those purchases aren't on reportaproblem.apple.com, and Apple's guidance is to contact the developer for billing support or a refund.
Check your receipt: if the charge came from the developer's own website or payment provider rather than from Apple, the refund request has to go to them.
If Apple denies your refund
Apple decides App Store refund requests itself, so the developer can't approve or block one. If your request is declined, you can contact Apple Support with the order details and explain what happened, especially if the app misrepresented its price or features.
If the app was misleading, report it as a scam or fraud even when the refund is refused. Those reports go to Apple's App Review and fraud teams, which investigate them and can remove the app.
App Store refund FAQ
How do I get a refund from the App Store?
Sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com, choose "I'd like to," then "Request a refund," pick a reason and the purchase, and submit. Apple usually responds within 24 to 48 hours.
How long does an App Store refund take?
Apple reviews requests within 24 to 48 hours. After approval, refunds take up to 48 hours to reach your Apple Account balance, up to 30 days on cards and Apple Pay, and up to 60 days on mobile phone billing.
Can I get a refund for an app subscription?
Yes, you can request one for a subscription charge on reportaproblem.apple.com. Cancel the subscription as well, or it will renew and charge you again.
Can I get a refund on the App Store app on my iPhone?
The refund form is a website, reportaproblem.apple.com, which opens in Safari on iPhone. It's the same form on every device.
Does Apple always approve App Store refunds?
No. Apple decides each request and says some purchases "might be eligible." In the UK and EU, you have a legal right to cancel within 14 days unless you agreed to give that right up when the download started.
What if I can't find the purchase I want refunded?
Search your email for "receipt from Apple" to see which Apple Account paid. Family Sharing organizers can see family purchases by choosing All under the Apple Account button on the Report a Problem site.
Why can't I request a refund for a charge?
Pending charges can't be refunded until the email receipt arrives, unpaid orders must be paid first, and purchases made outside Apple's payment system have to be refunded by the developer.
Avoid needing a refund next time
Most refund requests start with a price nobody noticed. Before downloading, check an app's in-app purchases and price history on its AppsHunter page, and run the five-minute check in our guide to telling whether an app is legit.