Why Is Apple Charging Me? (5 Reasons Why)

Do you have an Apple device and have noticed that Apple is charging you on your credit or debit card but can’t figure out why? Do you want to know, why is Apple charging me? 

Well, I have been looking into this topic and have found several reasons why Apple could be charging you so keep reading to learn what I’ve discovered! 

Why Is Apple Charging Me In [currentyear]?

Apple could be charging you because you or someone in your household has purchased something through App Store, with children buying items in the App Store being the main culprit for charges you didn’t know about in [currentyear]. Additionally, you could have subscribed to an Apple service and forgotten about it, such as Apple News+.

Do you want to see the full list of why Apple charges you? If so, don’t stop reading because I have the full list in more detail below! 

1. App Store Purchases 

App Store purchases that someone in your household is making are the main reason why Apple is charging you and you don’t know why, especially if a child is in the household. 

For example, if you have a Family Plan set up, your child may be buying in-game content from their device, but it’s being charged to your account. 

Therefore, if you want to check your App Store purchase history to see if this is what’s happening, follow the steps below: 

  • Go into your “Settings” 
  • Select your name
  • Click on “iTunes & App Store” 
  • Input your password
  • Select “Purchase History” 
  • Look for App Store purchases and you can select any item to view more details  

Furthermore, App Store purchases can be made on any Apple device, including Apple Watches, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs so that it could have been an accidental purchase.

2. Third-Party App Subscriptions 

Third-party app subscriptions will be billed through the normal Apple billing process, so if you or someone in your household has signed up for a subscription, it’ll appear under Apple. 

However, you can easily check to see what third-party subscriptions you’re signed up for by following the steps outlined below:

  • On your device, go into the “Settings”
  • Select your name
  • Select “Subscriptions” 
  • Look at the subscriptions and click on one to bring up more information about it

3. Apple Service Subscriptions 

Apple Service Subscriptions 

You may have a subscription that you’ve forgotten about or meant to cancel the free trial for but didn’t, which means you were charged for the service. 

To illustrate, you could have subscribed to Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, Apple News+, iCloud storage, or the upgrade program for the iPhone and forgotten about it. 

Furthermore, if you want to check your Apple service subscriptions to see if that’s why Apple is charging you, then follow the steps below:

  • Open “Settings” on your device
  • Click on your name at the top 
  • Select “Subscriptions”
  • Click on any subscription to bring up the details

4. Hardware Purchases 

You may have ordered an accessory or Apple device online or in-store, which is why Apple is charging you, and you’ll need to head to the Apple Order Status page to find out more. 

Furthermore, once you get to the Apple Order Status page, log in using your Apple ID, and you can see the purchases for the last 18 months. 

Also, hardware purchases would include accessories like chargers, cables, and cases, and could even include devices such as an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

5. iTunes Purchases 

Apple could be charging you because you or someone in your household has made iTunes purchases under your Apple ID. 

For example, if you have a child that has access to your account, they could have purchased music or a movie on your device or their device if they are using your account. 

Also, iTunes carries eBooks and television shows so you could have accidentally clicked a button and bought media without realizing it. 

How Do I Stop Apple From Charging Me? 

If you’d like to stop Apple from charging you for a subscription you no longer want then just follow the steps below: 

  • Open the “Settings” on your device
  • Click on your name
  • Select “Subscriptions” 
  • Find the subscription you want to cancel
  • Click on it 
  • Select “Cancel Subscription” which may require you to scroll down a little to see the option 

However, if you did not make a purchase or cannot find what you’re being charged for, it’s best to contact Apple Support for more information and to dispute any charges. 

To know more, you can also read our posts on whether Apple Podcast is free, whether AppleCare is worth it, and whether Apple Watches have cameras.

Conclusion 

Apple is charging you because you or someone in your household likely made a purchase either through Apple’s App Store or through iTunes, such as for movies, books, or games. 

Also, Apple could be charging you for an Apple service such as News+, TV+, or Apple Arcade, or because you’ve made a hardware or accessory purchase from Apple online or in-store. 

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Cara Suppa

Cara Suppa has been freelance writing for over a decade and holds a BA in English and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications. Outside of work, she is an avid cook, gardener, and discount shopper.

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