In this guide
Do you qualify?
- Apple publishes no deadline for asking. Each request is reviewed on its own, so a refund is never guaranteed and an old charge is not automatically out of scope.
- Apple decides on charges it collected, regardless of what the app's own terms say about being non-refundable.
- The request has to come from the Apple Account that was charged. A family member's purchase is requested from the account that paid.
- A purchase billed by the app's own website is not an Apple charge and is not refundable here, even when you use the app on an iPhone.
ASK WHOEVER TOOK THE MONEY
How to request a App Store refund.
Ask Apple for a refund
This is Apple's own refund route and covers apps, in-app purchases and subscriptions bought from the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books and other Apple services.
- Go to reportaproblem.apple.com and sign in with the Apple Account that was charged.
- Tap or click "I'd like to", then choose "Request a refund".
- Choose the reason for the refund, then choose Next.
- Choose the app, subscription or other item, then choose Submit.
- Allow 24 to 48 hours for Apple to come back with a decision.
If the purchase is not listed, you are probably signed in to a different Apple Account. Check which address the receipt from Apple was sent to.
Check a request you already sent
Apple shows a submitted request as Pending until it is resolved, so a request in progress is visible rather than silent.
- Sign in to reportaproblem.apple.com.
- Tap or click Pending to see the status of the request.
- Wait for the money if the request was approved: an Apple Account balance takes up to 48 hours, and a card statement can take up to 30 days.
Stop the next charge as well
A refund returns one payment. It does not end a subscription, which is a separate action in your Apple subscription settings.
- Open Settings on iPhone or iPad, tap your name, then tap Subscriptions.
- Choose the subscription and cancel it.
- Check that the entry shows an expiry date rather than a renewal date.
What happens next?
- Apple responds within 24 to 48 hours, and a submitted request shows as Pending in the meantime.
- An approved refund to an Apple Account balance can take up to 48 hours to appear. To a card it can take up to 30 days to show on the statement; after 30 days, contact your bank.
- A refund does not cancel the subscription. Cancel it separately if you do not want the next charge.
WHEN THE ANSWER IS NO
If you are refused.
The purchase is not listed at reportaproblem.apple.com
Almost always the wrong Apple Account. Find the receipt email from Apple and sign in with the address it was sent to. If no Apple receipt exists, Apple did not bill the charge, and the request belongs to whoever did.
The app says purchases are non-refundable
That is the developer's policy, and it does not govern a charge Apple collected. Ask Apple through Report a Problem anyway.
Apple declined the request
Apple does not publish an appeal process for a declined refund. What is left is contacting Apple Support directly, or, if the charge was not authorised by you, your bank or card issuer.
It was approved but the money has not arrived
Check the payment method before assuming it failed. A card statement can take up to 30 days, which is much longer than the 48 hours an Apple Account balance takes. Past 30 days, Apple says to contact your financial institution.
GOOD TO KNOW
Questions, answered.
How long does Apple take to decide on a refund?
24 to 48 hours. The request shows as Pending at reportaproblem.apple.com until Apple resolves it.
Is there a deadline for requesting an App Store refund?
Apple does not publish one. Requests are reviewed individually, so asking promptly helps but an older charge is not automatically excluded.
Can I get a refund if the app says no refunds?
You can ask. Apple took the payment and applies its own policy to it, not the developer's.
Does a refund cancel my subscription?
No. Cancel it in Settings under your name and Subscriptions, or the next renewal still goes through.
Provider resources
- Apple: request a refund for apps or content
- Apple: check the status of a refund
- Apple: view, change or cancel subscriptions
Instructions reviewed .
Subex is independent of App Store. Refund eligibility is decided by the company that billed you, and terms vary by plan, billing provider and country.