You can redeem App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, Apple Music Gift Cards, and content codes in the iTunes Store, Apple Books, or App Store. If you can't redeem your gift card or content code, choose the option that best describes your issue:
Card or code is invalid
Follow these steps if you see a message that your card or code is invalid:
Check the front of the card
If you're redeeming a card, make sure that you're redeeming an App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card, not an Apple Store Gift Card. Learn more about the differences between these cards.
App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card: First try to redeem your gift card, then try the steps below if you can't redeem it.
Apple Store Gift Card: Learn where you can redeem an Apple Store Gift Card.
Before redeeming your card with your camera, peel or gently scratch off the label on the back of the card to reveal the hidden 16-digit redemption code that begins with X.
Check that the redemption code on the back of the card has a black focus box around the code. Only cards or codes with a focus box around the redemption code can be redeemed using a camera.
After your camera scans and inputs the code, check that the code is correct.
If your camera can't read the redemption code, or the redemption code doesn't have a focus box around it, enter it manually.
If you received your App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card through email, click Redeem Now in the email to redeem the credit.
Enter the correct characters
Make sure that you're typing the correct characters. Some letters and numbers look alike, such as:
- B and 8
- D and O
- E and 3
- G and 6
- O and Q
- O and 0
- S and 5
- U and V
- Z and 2
Check the expiration date
If you're trying to redeem a content code, check the expiration date printed on the back of the card. App Store & iTunes Gift Cards and Apple Music Gift Cards don't expire, but content codes do.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is already redeemed
If you see a message that says your card or code has already been redeemed, try signing out of the iTunes Store on all of your devices, then sign back in. This will refresh your credit balance. Learn how to find your credit balance.
If you redeemed your card toward an Apple Music membership, you can view your Apple Music membership and when you'll next be charged.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is inactive
If you see a message that your card is inactive, it might not have been properly activated. The best option is to go back to the retailer where you purchased it and try to resolve it with them.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is unreadable
If the code on the back of your card is unreadable or completely scratched off, contact us.
Card or code is from a different country or region
App Store & iTunes Gift Cards and Apple Music Gift Cards are specific to your country or region. If you're trying to redeem an App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card that was purchased in a different country or region, make sure that you're redeeming it in the iTunes Store for the same country or region. You can't redeem cards outside of the country or region of purchase. For example, an App Store & iTunes Gift Card purchased in France can't be redeemed in an iTunes Store in the U.S.
When redeeming Apple Music Gift Cards, make sure to redeem the cards in the iTunes Store for the same country or region. You can't change your country or region while you have an active membership.
Learn more about App Store Top-Up cards in China mainland.
If you need more help, contact Apple.
Get help from Apple Support
If you still can't redeem your card or code, or the code on the back of the card is completely scratched off, contact Apple Support. Apple Support can provide help, but you might still need to contact the retailer the card was originally purchased from.
Please be prepared to provide:
- An image of the full front and back of your card.
- A sales receipt showing when your card was purchased.
- The serial number from your card.
The serial number is not the same thing as the 16-digit PIN code. Serial numbers are located on the back of your card, and depending on the type of card that you have, the number might appear in different places. Here are some examples:
Serial number begins with "GCA"
Serial number begins with "60"
Serial number begins with "60" (Australia Gift Cards)
Serial number begins with "PBH"
Serial number begins with "EPY"