set up your Apple Gift Card in the Wallet app or on the web

Apple Gift Cards do not need a separate set up step the way some retail cards do. When you receive a physical card or a digital code, you can start using it right away by adding it to your Apple Account. The process takes about two minutes and works the same whether you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or are using a web browser.

You will need either the 16-digit code on the back of a physical card, or the code that came in your email or message if you received a digital gift card. You also need to be signed into an Apple Account — the same one you use for the App Store, iCloud, or Apple Music.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Gift Cards are ready to use as soon as you add the code to your Apple Account; there is no waiting period or separate set up required.
  • You can add a gift card code through the Wallet app on iPhone or iPad, the App Store app, or through your account settings on any device.
  • The code is a 16-digit number printed on the back of a physical card or sent to you in an email or message for digital cards.
  • Once added, the balance appears in your Apple Account and is automatically used when you buy apps, music, books, or subscriptions.
  • If the code does not work, check that you typed it correctly, that the card has not expired, and that you are signed into the right Apple Account.

Add the code through the Wallet app on iPhone or iPad

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner, then select "Gift Card or Code." Choose "Apple Gift Card" from the list of options.

You can either type the 16-digit code manually or tap "Use Camera" to let your phone read the code from the back of the physical card. If you type it yourself, make sure you include all 16 digits and any dashes exactly as they appear. Tap "Add" when you are done.

The balance will appear in your Wallet when ready. Your Apple Account balance updates within a few seconds, and you can start spending right away.

Add the code through the App Store app

Open the App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click your profile picture in the upper right corner, then select "Redeem Gift Card or Code."

Tap "Don't have a code?" if you want to use your camera to scan the card, or tap the text field and type the 16-digit code by hand. Make sure you are signed into the Apple Account where you want the balance to appear. Tap "Redeem" to finish.

Add the code on the web through your Apple Account

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple Account. Click "Media and Purchases," then click "Redeem Gift Card or Code."

Type the 16-digit code into the field and click "Redeem." The balance will be added to your account within seconds. You can now use it to buy apps, music, books, movies, TV shows, or subscriptions on any Apple device where you are signed in with that account.

What happens after you add the code

Once the code is redeemed, the balance sits in your Apple Account as store credit. When you buy anything in the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Books, or any other Apple service, the cost is automatically deducted from your gift card balance first. If your purchase costs more than the remaining balance, you are asked to pay the difference with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method on file.

The balance does not expire once it is added to your account. You can use it whenever you want, and it carries over between devices as long as you are signed into the same Apple Account.

Troubleshoot if the code does not work

If you see an error message when you try to redeem the code, first check that you typed all 16 digits correctly. Look at the back of the physical card or the email with the digital code and compare it character by character to what you entered. Even one wrong number will cause the code to be rejected.

Make sure you are signed into the Apple Account you want to use. If you have multiple Apple Accounts, the code will only work with the account you are currently signed into. If you are not sure which account is active, go to Settings > [Your Name] on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] on Mac, to check.

If the code still does not work after you have checked the spelling and your account, the card may have expired or already been used. Physical Apple Gift Cards are valid for ten years from the date of purchase. If you believe the card should be valid, contact Apple Support through support.apple.com and have the code ready to share.

Use your gift card balance across all Apple services

Your Apple Gift Card balance works for almost everything in the Apple ecosystem. You can buy individual apps, games, and in-app purchases in the App Store. You can subscribe to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, or Apple One bundles. You can rent or buy movies and TV shows, or purchase books and audiobooks.

The one thing your gift card balance cannot be used for is hardware — you cannot buy an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch with store credit. For those purchases, you need a credit card or debit card. You also cannot use it to pay for AppleCare+ protection plans or to make in-store purchases at an Apple retail location, though you can use it online at apple.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple gift cards to one Apple Account?

Yes. You can redeem as many codes as you want to the same account, and the balances will combine. There is no limit to how much total credit you can hold in your Apple Account.

What if I received a digital gift card but cannot find the code?

Check your email inbox and spam folder for a message from Apple or the sender. Digital codes are usually sent within minutes. If you still cannot find it, ask the person who sent it to resend the code, or contact the retailer where it was purchased.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?

No. Once a code is redeemed to your Apple Account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be moved or transferred. If you want to give credit to someone else, you need to purchase a new gift card for them.

Does my gift card balance work on all my devices?

Yes, as long as you are signed into the same Apple Account on all your devices. The balance is stored in your account, not on a specific phone or computer, so you can spend it from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV.

What if I accidentally redeemed a gift card to the wrong account?

Contact Apple Support at support.apple.com as soon as possible. Explain that you redeemed the code to the wrong account and provide the code. Apple may be able to help depending on how much time has passed and whether any of the balance has been spent.