Apple Gift Cards are a popular gift during the holidays. If you found one under your tree this Christmas, here’s what you can and can’t use it for.
Once you redeem your Apple Gift Card, the value of the card is automatically added to your Apple Account balance and it automatically applies at checkout when making eligible purchases. The card can be spent on several Apple products, services, and digital content.
What You Can Use an Apple Gift Card For
- Paying in full when purchasing Apple devices and accessories on apple.com, in the Apple Store app, or in an Apple retail store.
- Using the remaining balance toward purchasing Apple products when checking out, paying for the remaining cost with another payment method.
- Buying apps and games on the App Store, you can also use it to pay for in-app purchases.
- Paying for digital media, including movies, TV shows, and books through Apple’s digital storefronts, including the TV and Books apps.
- Paying for subscriptions to Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ storage, as well as eligible third-party app subscriptions billed through the App Store.
What You Can’t Use an Apple Gift Cards For
- Buying goods or services from non-Apple retailers. Even though Target sells iPads, you can’t pay for one there using your Gift Card balance.
- Starting certain recurring payments, such as AppleCare+ plans, without having an additional credit or debit card also on file.
- Apple Gift Cards are typically region-locked, so you can’t redeem them or use balances across different countries or regions.
- Transferring to or purchasing other gift cards.
- Exchanging for cash or cash equivalents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Apple Gift Cards, via iDropNews:
Does my Apple Gift Card balance ever expire? No. Apple Gift Cards do not have an expiration date. However, once you redeem the card to your Apple Account, the funds are tied to that specific account and cannot be transferred to someone else.
Can I use my balance for the iPhone Upgrade Program? Not directly. The iPhone Upgrade Program requires a valid US credit or debit card for the monthly instalment loan through Citizens One. While you can’t use a gift card for the monthly payments, you can use it to pay for the initial “upfront” costs or accessories at the time of purchase.
Can I spend my balance on Apple Vision Pro? Sure. The Apple Account balance can be used for any hardware at the Apple Store, so you can apply your gift card credit toward an Apple Vision Pro or any of its accessories (like the travel case or extra battery packs).
Can I use my Apple Gift Card at Best Buy or Target? No. Apple Gift Cards can only be used at Apple’s own storefronts (Apple Store, App Store, iTunes, etc.). If you want to buy an Apple product at a third-party retailer, you would need a gift card specifically for that retailer.
What if I have an old “iTunes” or “Apple Store” card from years ago? The good news is that those old cards are not only still valid, but they also work with Apple’s new unified system, where they can also be used to purchase physical goods. You can to redeem older “iTunes” or “App Store” specific cards directly into your Apple Account balance in the same way as newer gift cards.
Can I share my balance with family members through Family Sharing? No. While Family Sharing allows you to share purchases and subscriptions, it does not share Apple Account balances. If you have $50 in your account, your family members can’t use it; however, the family organizer’s payment method won’t be billed for a family member’s purchase until their own gift card balance is exhausted.
