IOS – iPhone 4 – Verification Required

This is by design. Apple requires you to set up an account even for free purchases (except podcasts).

In the past, you could set up a free account in iCloud and get away with not entering information, but now the security is getting beefed up.

You may be asked for three security questions and to re-verify your account periodically. The passwords are now more strict in needing a mix of case and numbers where you used to be able to choose a simpler password for your Apple ID.

There are cases where the device is not working properly and you keep getting this verification error, but in the case you describe it is now mandatory to enter more information when setting up your account initially.

It is indeed possible to create an Apple ID without a credit card, see "Creating an iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store account without a credit card" at http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2534.

If you entered credit card information in the past you can dissociate it from your Apple ID as follows.

On an iOS device

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap iTunes & App Stores:

   

3. Tap your account and select "View Apple ID".

4. Select Payment information:

   

5. Select None:

   

6. Confirm with Done.

On a Mac

1. Open App Store.app:

   

2. Select menu Store>View My Account.

3. In the Apple ID Summary section locate the Payment Information line and click Edit >:

   

4. Select None as payment method:

   

   

5. Click Done to confirm.

If you don't see a "none" option, you may need to disable family sharing and then try the above steps again.