You don’t need a card to keep using the apps you’ve purchased.
You don’t need a card to maintain or get an Apple ID (unlike implied bythe default user flow, it’s possible to get w/o one).
You don’t need a card on an Apple ID to download free apps.
You even don’t need a card on an old account to use apps from that old account on the same device as apps from a new account, you just need to be able to provide valid credentials for both (seems like triggers when the device is trying to update the apps in question).
Re:I Can No Longer Recommend Google Fi
by JohnTHaller on Saturday January 12, 2019 @01:44PM
(#18892609)
Almost everyone of a certain level of means has multiple cards. If you only associate with people around your economic level, it is easy to believe that everyone has multiple cards. I have many friends in NYC with only a single debit card and either no credit cards (due to no or poor credit) or a few credit cards that are all maxed out.
It's also worth noting that many companies with subscription services specifically block signing up with gift cards. I do not know if this would apply to Google Pay or not.
You can also use a prepaid credit or cash gift card to create an account or pay for Apple content.
Perhaps this US centrism colors Apple's view as well?