Sometimes, you may find your iPhone coming up with “Verification Required” error message, while trying to download both free and paid apps from the App Store.
This error message does not go away, until you tap on the “Continue” option, which then directs you to check and verify the payment information linked to your Apple ID.
“Verification Required” Message When Downloading Apps
In many cases, the reason for “Verification Required” error message on iPhone is due to expiry of the credit card, unpaid balance or failure of the payment method linked to your Apple ID.
In such cases, the only way to fix this error message is to update your payment information or to remove the credit card or any other form of payment method that is linked to your Apple ID.
Note: If you are thinking in terms of removing your payment information, you need to be aware that iPhone prevents you from both changing removing your payment Information, if there is an unpaid balance or an upcoming due payment.
1. Change Shipping and Payment Info
As mentioned above, the problem is usually due to the Payment Information linked to your Apple ID not being up-to-date.
1. Open Settings > tap on your Apple ID Name.
2. From Apple ID screen, go to Payment & Shipping > select the Credit Card that you want to remove.
3. On the next screen, tap on Edit (top-right) and update your Payment Information as required.
The other option is to scroll down to bottom of the screen and select the Delete option.
2. Update Media & Purchases Info
If the above fix did not work, you may have to update Payment Info through Media and Purchases screen.
1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > select Media & Purchases option.
2. On the pop-up, select View Account option > on the next screen, select Manage Payments option.
3. On Manage Payments screen, select your listed Payment Method (Credit Card, PayPal etc.).
4. On the next screen, make changes to Payment Info as required and tap on Done.
The other option is to select the Edit option (top-right) > tap on Red Minus Icon > and top on the Remove button. On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Remove to confirm.
After this, you should no longer find your iPhone bothering you with “Verification Required” Message, both while downloading Free Apps and also while updating Apps.
In case you cannot see the “None” option while accessing iTunes on iPhone or iPad, you can change Payment Information by accessing iTunes on your Mac or Windows computer.
3. Change Apple ID Payment Information
If above two methods did not help, you should be able to fix the problem by signing into your Apple ID Page on computer and either correcting your Payment Info or selecting the “None” option.
1. Go to https://appleid.apple.com on your MacBook or Windows PC and Sign-in to your Apple ID Account. If prompted, answer your security questions.
2. Once you are logged-in, click on Payment Methods tab in the left-pane > select your Payment method (if listed). If no Payment method is listed, click on Add Payment method link.
3. On the next screen, select your Payment Method and make changes as required. If no payment method is listed, click on the Down Arrow and select None as your Payment Method.
This should fix the problem of Verification Required Message appearing while downloading free Apps on iPhone, iPad or Mac.