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Why does Xbox say how do you want to pay the rest?


When trying to make a purchase on the Xbox console or Xbox app, users may see a message like “How do you want to pay the rest?” This indicates that the total cost of the purchase exceeds the current wallet balance, requiring an additional payment method to cover the remaining amount. There are a few potential reasons why users might see this message.

Insufficient Wallet Balance

The most common reason is having an insufficient balance in the Xbox account wallet to cover the full purchase amount. The Xbox wallet allows users to add funds that can be used for digital purchases on Xbox Live. However, if the wallet does not contain enough money to pay for the entire transaction, Xbox will prompt the user to select another payment option to pay the outstanding balance.

For example, if a game costs $60 but the wallet only has $20, Xbox will ask “How do you want to pay the rest?” so the user can pay the remaining $40 with a credit card, PayPal, etc. This ensures the full amount is paid while utilizing the available wallet funds.

Purchase Exceeds Wallet’s Max Balance

Another potential reason is that the purchase amount exceeds the maximum wallet balance allowed. Microsoft currently limits Xbox wallet balances to $250 for most accounts.

So if a purchase is $300, even a fully loaded $250 wallet would be insufficient. The “How do you want to pay the rest?” message would appear so the user can cover the $50 difference with another payment method.

Pending Wallet Funds

Sometimes users may add funds to their Xbox wallet that have not yet cleared or become available. This can happen if funds were recently added via a credit card or gift card redemption.

Although the wallet may reflect the updated balance, those pending funds cannot actually be used until they officially process. So Xbox will ask for another way to pay if the usable wallet balance is too low, even if the displayed balance appears adequate.

When Does This Message Appear?

The “How do you want to pay the rest?” message typically appears in a few common scenarios when making Xbox purchases:

  • Purchasing games, DLC, subscriptions or other digital content from the Xbox store
  • Pre-ordering upcoming games or content
  • Buying items like gaming equipment from the Xbox Gear Shop
  • Upgrading an existing Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass membership to a higher tier
  • Extending an existing subscription closer to its expiration date

Essentially any transaction through Xbox platforms can trigger the message if the wallet lacks sufficient funds. It will appear during the checkout process when confirming the payment method.

Games & DLC Purchases

Buying digital games, downloadable addons, and other content is a prime example. If purchasing a $40 title with only $20 wallet balance, users will need to assign the additional $20 at checkout.

Pre-Ordering Games

When pre-ordering an upcoming title, the full pre-order amount is usually charged upfront. So Xbox will request payment even if the game hasn’t released yet.

Hardware Purchases

The Gear Shop offers controllers, headsets, SSD memory cards and other accessories. These hardware purchases behave like normal online shopping, so immediate full payment is required.

Membership Upgrades

Opting for a more expensive Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold tier requires settling the upgrade cost. The message will appear when claiming the offer if wallet funds are insufficient.

How to Pay the Remaining Balance

When the message appears, users have a couple options to pay the outstanding balance:

Credit/Debit Card

The most straightforward option is to pay the remainder with a credit card or debit card. On Xbox One or Series X/S consoles, users can enter card details directly or select a card they’ve used before.

On the Xbox app, a new card can be added to the payment methods. Xbox accepts major credit card providers like Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.

Digital Gift Cards

Xbox gift cards can be redeemed towards digital purchases, including when that “How do you want to pay the rest?” prompt appears.codes can be entered and applied to the transaction’s balance.

Both Microsoft gift cards and third-party retailer cards work, such as those from Amazon or Walmart. The balance gets added to the Xbox account.

PayPal

Linking a PayPal account is another option for funding transactions. PayPal can be connected as a payment method on Xbox consoles or the app. When checking out, PayPal can then be selected to cover outstanding costs.

Mobile Phone Billing

For users on Android devices, Xbox purchases can be linked directly to a mobile phone account. After setup, any remaining balance can be assigned to the phone bill via carrier billing.

Adding Funds to Avoid the Message

While the message itself is harmless, users can take steps to avoid seeing it when making future purchases:

Add Wallet Funds in Advance

If you know you have an upcoming expense like a pre-ordered game, add sufficient funds ahead of time. This ensures your wallet will have enough to cover the entire cost.

On Xbox One/Series X/S, wallet balances can be increased manually or set to auto-refill when low.

Redeem Gift Cards Strategically

Similarly, redeeming gift cards prior to making a big purchase can help offset the cost in advance. Buy a $50 gift card and add it to your wallet rather than buying a $60 game outright.

Remove Purchase Limit

For larger purchases, consider removing the $250 maximum wallet balance restriction. You can contact Microsoft support to increase the limit, if needed.

Change Billing Date

If your wallet funds come from an annual subscription fee, changing the billing date can align it better with upcoming purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft limit Xbox wallet balances?

The $250 limit minimizes financial risks and fraud for Microsoft. It also encourages users to maintain valid payment methods for larger purchases rather than stockpiling excessive funds.

Can I use multiple payment methods together?

Yes, you can combine funds from sources like gift cards, your wallet balance, and a credit card in a single transaction. Xbox will utilize the various amounts in sequence during checkout.

Does Xbox offer financing options?

Xbox does not directly offer financing, however PayPal’s Pay in 4 installment plan is available as a payment option. Transactions over $30 can be split into 4 interest-free payments every two weeks.

Can I change my payment method after pre-ordering?

Typically no, the payment method cannot be altered on a pre-order once placed. However, you can cancel and re-pre-order the item to select a new form of payment.

What happens if my wallet funds expire?

Wallet balances from gift cards or promotional credits typically expire 90 days after redemption if unused. The funds are forfeited rather than returned after expiration.

Troubleshooting Tips

If having issues when trying to pay the remaining balance, check:

  • Payment details are entered correctly if using a new card
  • The card issuer does not have a hold on the account
  • The wallet balance is not still pending or temporary
  • The Microsoft account credentials are properly logged in
  • The Xbox account does not have any unpaid bans or violations

For declined credit cards, contact the card issuer to resolve any problems directly. Payments cannot proceed until any blocks or issues are addressed.

Summary

The “How do you want to pay the rest?” message from Xbox simply indicates your wallet lacks sufficient funds to fully purchase the item(s). Selecting another valid payment method will allow completing the transaction seamlessly. Maintaining an adequate wallet balance and redeeming gift cards strategically can minimize seeing the message. But it is a common and harmless request whenever your Xbox account comes up short.