Remember, this isn’t an official refund policy for the App Store, because the iTunes Store Terms and Conditions specifically states:
All sales and rentals of products are final.
Which means, your mileage is definitely going to vary when it comes to getting a refund on the App Store. If your cause is legitimate — like, say, you downloaded that bogus Yellow Pokemon app this weekend — it still may take weeks or even months before you get your money back. If you’re just grouchy about being dumb? You probably won’t ever get your money back. But at least we know there’s a shot! So, how do you do it?
Open up Your Account in iTunes
Go to the iTunes Store and check your account. It’s in the top right corner.
Check Your Purchase History
Once you’re logged in, click ‘See All>’ under Purchase History
Report a Problem
Scroll down until you see the big button that says ‘Report a Problem’. Click that big button.
Select the App
Find the app you want a refund for and select ‘Report a Problem’
Explain
Choose the problem you’re having and write a detailed reason why you think you should get a refund for the app. Remember, you’re fighting an uphill claim so make sure your reasons are legitimate to give yourself the best chance.
Apple lists these six categories for your app-related complaints:
- I didn’t receive this application
- I inadvertently purchased this application
- This application does not function as expected
- This application is not compatible with my device
- I have another purchase or download-relation question
Good luck. Also, please only refund apps that really don’t work. Developers need to eat too.
David
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:34 AMApple should be reported for making the claim that says sales are final.
They do not have the right to override your entitlement for a refund.
There are many stores that attempt this deceptive behaviour and consumers should not stand for it.
You have the right to a full refund in the same form as you purchased the item (cash for cash, credit card for credit card etc) if the goods are faulty/not as described. Also, contrary to many store policies, you have the same right to a refund whether or not the goods are returned in the original packaging.
lolwut
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:59 AMinb4 apple fanboi comment….
tell me when apple did not do whatever they pleases?
FYI, i have an iphone and an ipad as well, so im no haters
RooBoy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:49 PMI’m not qualified to answer, but I’ve always read and been told that as long as the final sales statement is agreed to you are stuck.
Its no different than walking into a department store and buying something off the shelf maked as “ALL SALES FINAL”.. you buy you own you wear the responsibility of your decision. If suddenly you don’t like that ‘whatchamacallit” you can’t walk back into the shop for a refund… unless the product is defective or was sold incomplete etc with a fault.
If you didn’t read the mind numbingly boring long and dull license agreement when you set up your iTunes account you only have yourself to blame.
James
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 1:27 PMIt’s actually ILLEGAL in Australia to have NO REFUND signs, or other signs which have the same affect. See here: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1026241
Chris
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:51 PMI’m sorry, but did you even read that website:
They can have a sign
Direct quote:
>Sellers can have signs that state ‘No refunds will be given if you have simply
>changed your mind’.
and don;t have to give a refund
>What if I change my mind? Can I get a refund?
>
>No. The consumer guarantees do not require a seller to give you a refund
>you change your mind and decide that you don’t like or need the goods or >discover that the goods are cheaper elsewhere.
Flux
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:06 PM“I’m not qualified to answer, but…”
…but you did anyway, and incorrectly at that.
Jonathan
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:03 PMCould this also work to remove those annoying apps that you download to try but decide not to bother, but then remain in your ‘Purchased’ list forever?
Jonathan
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 2:25 AMYou can get rid of those already!
From the “Purchased” list in the App Store on your iPhone, just do the usual swipe-left-to-delete. From iTunes on your Mac/PC, when you go to previous purchases in your Account, as mentioned in the article, there should be a small “X” button next to each app you can use to remove it.
I’m pretty sure somewhere else in iTunes (but I don’t remember where) is an option to view ALL past purchases, including those ones you’ve previously told iTunes to ‘forget’.
anonymouse
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:05 PMI believe the terms and conditions aren’t enforcable in Australia, particularly this phrase, as under Australian Consumer Law you are always entitled for a refund if the product does not do what it promised.
Bdc
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:29 PMYeah I would expect that quoting the code while describing the fault would pretty much ensure you would be refunded (as long as it is legitimate)
Sevrin
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:28 PMGood luck milking that cash cow!
ef
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:29 PMI thought you were NOT buying from Australia, My appstore bills are for a Singapore company so I don’t see what Australian law has to do with Singapore.
Ozoneocean
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2:38 PMThat would be something to take up with the courts, but it’s probably the case that transaction would be assumed to be within Australia for legal and taxation purposes.
Scott
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 4:57 PMIf you choose “This application does not function as expected” it simply refers you to the developer. And you can’t go back and copy your carefully crafted eloquent complaint.
So go here instead:
https://expresslane.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.do?PRKEYS=131629&locale=en_AU
and make a complaint via the iTunes store or App store methods.
For the record I requested a refund for the Quota app which has been abandoned and have cited my Australian Consumer Law entitlement.
Ahmad Aoun
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 5:07 PMFew months ago I decided to fork the big bucks and buy TomTom. I jumped on to the AppStore, searched TomTom and bought it. It ended up being TomTom NZ O.o.
I called apple and went off my brains complaining about TomTom NZ being on the top selling apps in the AU store. They said they will happily refund my money and I should get it back with in 5 working days.
Well, I was pleased tbh… So I went straight away and bought TomTom Au. Afte 4 days I got my money back to my Apple account!!!! O.o O.o O.o
Like WTF, there’s no way in hell I can withdraw back my credit card…
Bilal
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 3:10 AMYou can get Refund from Apple, I got $13.99 refund, it was a book, and before they give u refund, you have to give proper reason, the book I purchased was for IOS development KIT for 4.0. it was an old book and IOS 5 was already out for customers. ( It was my mistake, while scrolling I clicked on buy button and it asked me for Password and I give it, I almost all the time I buy from my Iphone, but on that day I was using Itunes on PC, after that i never buy from Itunes, I prefer Iphone for buying.)
I got the refund in less than 2 days.
Raghid
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 6:40 PMWhen they give you the refund, where does it go exactly? To your bank account? Or will it transfer to iTunes credit so you can buy another app with it? Thanks for your time!