If you have an Apple Gift Card or App Store Card—whether gifted or bought during a sale—you may have a few questions: What can I do with it? Can I buy an iPhone? Can I use it on a Windows PC? Or is it only good for apps?
Apple’s gift card system can be surprisingly confusing, especially with all the changes the company has made over the years. This guide breaks it all down: the different types of Apple Gift Cards, how to redeem them, where the money goes, what you can (and can’t) use it for, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What Are Apple Gift Cards?
An Apple Gift Card is basically prepaid money for anything Apple, be it products or services. You can buy one yourself or receive it as a gift. It’s available as a digital card or a physical one in stores.
On each card, you’ll see a unique 16-digit code. Redeeming this code adds the corresponding amount to your Apple Account balance. You can then use this balance to buy apps, games, subscriptions, music, movies, or even Apple hardware like an iPhone or a MacBook (depending on the card type).
In short, it’s Apple money. And it’s especially useful when gifting someone who already lives in the Apple ecosystem.
Different Kinds of Apple Gift Cards
Today, Apple has made things simpler. There’s just one card now:
- Apple Gift Card (launched in 2020): This is a unified card for everything, ranging from apps and subscriptions to accessories or even products like new iPhones or MacBooks from the Apple Store or Apple’s official website. This version is easy to identify: it has a white background with a colorful Apple logo on the front. It’s like one card for everything Apple.
But if your card looks different, you might have one of these older types:
- App Store & iTunes Gift Card: Usually blue with a pattern. These work only for digital content: apps, music, movies, iCloud+, Apple Music, and more. You can’t use them to buy physical items.
- Apple Store Gift Card: It comes in solid colors like gray, silver, gold, or white. You can only use it at Apple Stores or Apple’s official website to buy physical products. It isn’t valid in the App Store or iTunes.
- Older Cards: If your card doesn’t match any of the above designs, it’s likely an even older version. It could either be an Apple Music Gift Card or an iTunes Store Gift Card. You can still redeem it, though. Just follow the instructions printed on the back.
While all these older cards are still valid, they keep their original limitations: you can’t use an App Store & iTunes Card to buy physical products, and you can’t use an Apple Store Card for digital purchases.
| Card Type | Still Redeemable? | Works for Digital Products or Services? | Works for Physical Products? |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Store & iTunes Card | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Apple Store Gift Card | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| New Apple Gift Card | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
How Do Apple Gift Cards Work?
Once you redeem the 16-digit code on an Apple Gift Card, an equivalent amount is credited into your Apple Account balance. With this balance, you can make all kinds of purchases—apps, subscriptions, or even devices—until it runs out. If something costs more than your balance, you need to pay the rest using your regular payment method.
Here’s what you can buy with the redeemed Apple Gift Card money:
- Apps and games
- Music, movies, and books
- Apple subscriptions like iCloud+, Apple TV+, Apple Music, etc.
- Physical products from Apple (if available in your country)
However, you can’t use it to do the following:
- Buy something on third-party stores (like Amazon)
- Transfer it to a bank account or cash it out
- Share it with other Apple Accounts (even in Family Sharing)
Keep in mind that older gift cards have limitations, as mentioned before.
Where Can You Get an Apple Gift Card?
Depending on where you live, you can get an Apple Gift Card in multiple ways:
- Buy from Apple’s official website
- Purchase at Apple Stores (online or offline)
- Find them in supermarkets, convenience stores, or electronics retailers
- Send one digitally via the App Store or Apple’s gift card website
Just make sure you’re buying a legitimate card from a trusted seller.
How to Redeem an Apple Gift Card
Redeeming your Apple Gift Card is a simple, one-time process that works across most Apple devices.
If it’s a physical card, you’ll find a 16-digit code on the back. Scratch it gently to reveal the code. If it’s a digital card, like one received by email, the code will be clearly listed in the message. Once you have the 16-digit code, redeeming it is easy. You can do it on different Apple devices, as shown below.
Redeem an Apple Gift Card on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro
If you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro, redeeming your Apple Gift Card takes just a few taps. Here’s how to do it using the App Store app:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Choose Redeem Gift Card or Code. If it doesn’t show up, make sure you’re signed in.
- Tap Use Camera to scan the code or tap Enter Code Manually to type it in.
- Tap Redeem to finish. Your balance will be added to your Apple Account.
In the U.S., your balance might also show in Apple Wallet after redemption.
Redeem an Apple Gift Card on a Mac
On a Mac, the process is just as simple as it is through the App Store. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the App Store app on your Mac.
- Click your name in the sidebar. Sign in if you don’t see it.
- Select Redeem Gift Card.
- Use your Mac’s camera or type the code manually, then click Redeem.
Redeem an Apple Gift Card on a Windows PC
Even if you’re on Windows, you can redeem Apple gift cards using iTunes, Apple Music, or Apple TV apps. Here’s how:
- Open Apple Music or Apple TV. (You may also use iTunes if you have it installed.)
- Click Account in the top menu and then Redeem.
- Sign in to your Apple Account.
- Enter the 16-digit code and click the Redeem or similar button on the screen.
Redeem an Apple Gift Card Received Over Email
If your gift card was emailed to you, redemption is even easier. Just follow these steps:
- Open the gift card email.
- Tap or click Redeem Now, and the value will be instantly added to your Apple Account balance.
How to Check Your Apple Gift Card Balance
You can quickly check how much credit you have left in your Apple Account balance on different devices as shown below:
- iPhone / iPad / Vision Pro: Open the App Store app. Tap your photo, initials, or the sign-in button at the top of the screen and sign in if prompted. If you have a balance, it will appear below your name. If you don’t see an amount, you don’t have a balance.
- Mac: Open the App Store app. If you see the sign-in button at the bottom of the sidebar, click it and sign in to your Apple Account. If you have a balance, the amount will appear below your name. If you can’t see an amount, you don’t have a balance.
- Windows PC: Open the Apple Music or Apple TV app. Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar. You may need to sign in to your Apple Account first. If you have a balance, it will appear below your name. If you don’t see an amount, you don’t have a balance.
If your balance looks off, sign out of the App Store, Apple Music app, or Apple TV app and then sign back in. That usually refreshes your balance.
Still, is this not correct? Check your purchase history to see if a subscription was renewed or an app was charged.
If you haven’t redeemed your card yet and you’re unsure of its balance, you can also check the remaining balance directly on the back of the physical card. Alternatively, you can check it on Apple’s Check Your Gift Card Balance page.
Can’t Redeem an Apple Gift Card? Check These Things
If your Apple Gift Card won’t redeem, don’t panic. Here’s what to check:
- Incorrect card type: Make sure you’re not trying to redeem an Apple Store Gift Card in the App Store, as it won’t work. Apple Store Cards are usually grey, silver, gold, or white.
- You’re entering the correct code: Double-check you’re entering the 16-digit redemption code that starts with “X.” Avoid confusing similar characters like B and 8, O and 0, or Z and 2.
- Card isn’t already redeemed: You may have already used the card. Try signing out of your Apple Account on all devices and signing back in to refresh your balance.
- Card is activated: Sometimes, the store you bought it from forgets to activate the card. You’ll need to go back to the retailer and ask them to fix it.
- Card isn’t from a different region: Apple Gift Cards are region-locked. A card bought in the U.S. won’t work on an Apple Account registered in India, and vice versa.
- Code isn’t damaged: If the code is scratched off or damaged, contact Apple Support. They may ask for a clear photo of the front and back of the card or your purchase receipt.
If none of that works, contact Apple Support for help.
Apple Gift Card Scams and Safety Tips
Apple Gift Cards are often targeted by scammers, especially because they are difficult to trace and can be redeemed quickly. Here are a few ways to stay safe and protect your balance:
- Never trust someone asking for gift cards as payment (taxes, tech support, lottery winnings, ransom, etc.), as it could be a scam.
- Don’t fall for fake discounts. Always buy Apple Gift Cards from trusted sources, such as Apple’s official website, major retailers, or well-known digital platforms.
- Avoid posting or sharing photos of your gift card online.
- Scratch gently to reveal the code and redeem it as soon as possible.
- Keep your physical or digital receipt handy in case something goes wrong, or the card isn’t activated properly.
- If you suspect a scam, report it to Apple and your local consumer protection agency immediately.
Redeeming Apple Gift Cards in Other Countries
Apple Gift Cards are region-locked. This means a U.S. card only works on a U.S. Apple Account, and a U.K. card only works on a U.K. Apple Account. You can’t mix and match. Either use the card in the region in which it was bought or consider switching your Apple Account region (but that comes with its own limitations).
One Card, Tons of Uses—Just Use It Right
Apple’s move to a single, all-purpose gift card makes things easier, but only if you understand how the system works. Whether you’re spending it on subscriptions, buying a new iPhone, or gifting it to someone else, your balance is only useful if redeemed and used correctly. Keep it safe, know the limits, and don’t let even a single penny go to waste.
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