Redeeming an Apple Gift Card in Three Steps

An Apple Gift Card gives you a balance to spend in the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud+, and other Apple services. To use it, you need to add the card's code to your Apple ID account. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you have a physical card or a digital code sent by email.

You'll need your Apple ID and password, and either the 16-character code printed on the back of a physical card or the code from an email. If you don't have an Apple ID yet, you can create one for free during this process.

Key Takeaways

  • You redeem an Apple Gift Card by entering its code into your Apple ID account, not by "activating" it at a store.
  • The code is a 16-character alphanumeric string found on the back of a physical card or in an email for digital cards.
  • You can redeem the card on any Apple device — iPhone, iPad, Mac, or through a web browser at appleid.apple.com.
  • Once redeemed, the balance appears in your Apple ID account and you can spend it immediately across all Apple services.
  • If the code doesn't work, check for typos, make sure you're using the right Apple ID, and contact Apple Support if the card is damaged or expired.

Redeeming on iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Redeem Gift Card or Code." You'll see a camera icon — you can either point it at the card to scan the code automatically, or tap "Enter Code Manually" to type it in.

If you're typing the code, enter all 16 characters exactly as they appear. Spaces don't matter, but uppercase and lowercase letters do. Once you've entered the code, tap "Redeem." Your balance will appear in your account within seconds.

Redeeming on Mac or Through a Web Browser

On a Mac, open the App Store app, click your account name in the bottom left corner, and select "Redeem Gift Card or Code." On any computer, you can also go to appleid.apple.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and click "Media & Purchases" in the left menu, then "Redeem a code."

Type or paste the 16-character code into the box that appears. If you're pasting from an email, make sure you copy only the code itself, not any surrounding text. Click "Redeem" and your balance will update immediately.

What Happens After You Redeem

The balance is added to your Apple ID account and shows up as "Store Credit" or "Apple Account Balance." You can see it by opening the App Store, going to your profile, and looking at the top of the screen. This balance works across the App Store, iCloud+, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple News+.

When you make a purchase, Apple automatically deducts from your gift card balance first. If your purchase costs more than your balance, you'll be asked to add a payment method for the difference. Your balance never expires as long as your Apple ID remains active.

Troubleshooting a Code That Won't Work

If you get an error message when you try to redeem, first check that you've typed the code correctly — look for confused letters like O and zero, or l and one. Make sure you're signed into the right Apple ID; if you have multiple accounts, the balance goes to whichever account you're signed into when you redeem.

If the code still doesn't work, the card itself may be damaged, expired, or already redeemed. Physical cards sometimes have printing errors that make the code hard to read. If you received the card as a gift and the code doesn't work, contact the person who gave it to you — they may need to contact the retailer where they bought it. If you bought the card yourself, contact Apple Support with your receipt.

Using Your Balance Across Apple Services

Once your balance is in your account, you can spend it on any app, game, subscription, or in-app purchase available in the App Store. You can also use it to pay for iCloud+ storage, Apple Music, Apple TV+, or Apple Arcade. The balance is shared across all these services — there's no separate balance for each one.

If you're buying a subscription, your gift card balance will be used first. When the subscription renews, if your balance is gone, Apple will charge your payment method on file. If you don't have a payment method on file and your balance runs out, your subscription will pause until you add a new payment method or redeem another gift card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redeem an Apple Gift Card on an Android phone?

No. Apple Gift Cards only work with Apple accounts and services. You can redeem the code on a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or at appleid.apple.com in a web browser, but not on Android devices. If you need to redeem it, borrow an Apple device or use a computer.

What if I lost the physical card but still have the receipt?

The receipt alone won't let you redeem the card — you need the 16-character code printed on the back. If the card is lost and you have the receipt, contact the retailer where you bought it. They may be able to look up the code if you have proof of purchase, but policies vary by store.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?

No. Once you redeem a code into your Apple ID, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If you want to give someone else an Apple Gift Card, give them the unredeemed code before you enter it into your account.

Does an Apple Gift Card balance expire?

Your balance doesn't expire as long as your Apple ID account is active. However, if your account is inactive for an extended period and Apple closes it, you may lose the balance. Keep your account active by signing in occasionally or making a purchase at least once every few years.

Can I use an Apple Gift Card to buy another Apple Gift Card?

No. You cannot use your gift card balance to purchase another gift card. You can only use it to buy apps, games, subscriptions, and in-app purchases, or to pay for Apple services like iCloud+ and Apple Music.