Full FeedHow to redeem iTunes gift cards
Being the go-to Mac guy amongst my family and some friends, I’m no longer surprised by the questions I’m asked. Or how many times I’m asked. This is the case with iTunes gift cards. They’re becoming more and more common as the popularity of the Mac and iPhone/iPod continues to grow, but the giver doesn’t always understand that the recipient may be new to these devices and is unaware of how they work. Thankfully, it’s actually quite basic once you know where to go.
[Update: In some countries, iTunes does not allow for app purchases to be made with a gift card. Check the iTunes policy for your country for app compatibility.]
iTunes
If you’re downloading music/videos for your Mac, or the same plus games for your iPhone or iPod touch, you can easily handle all of this through iTunes. iPhone and iPod touch owners will already have an account. If you’re a Mac user checking out iTunes for the first time, you’ll need to create your account. Apple has basic instructions on this at their support site.
Okay, now that we’re all past that, let’s hit the iTunes App Store. Log in, if you haven’t already. You do that by clicking on “Sign In” in the upper right of the window and filling in your information. If you’re already logged in, you’ll see your account name here instead of “Sign In.”
With this done, on the left hand side, you’ll see the little green shopping bag icon next to “iTunes Store.” Click on that.
After a loading period, you’ll see the welcome screen of the store hawking the latest releases. Ignore all of that and look up at the upper right of the window. Just under “Quick Links” you’ll see “Redeem.” Click on that.
You’re then presented with the iTunes gift card/certificate redemption screen. Depending upon the card you got, the graphic may look familiar.
Enter the code on your card here. The amount of the card will be applied to your account, and you’re set to start shopping.
iPhone / iPod touch
Suppose you’re not near your computer, though. Maybe you’re trapped at a gathering and you really need some distraction. Apple feels your pain, and they’ve made it possible to get your credit applied to your account directly with the iPhone and iPod touch.
The first thing you’ll want to do is launch the App Store app (likely on your home screen, unless you moved it). Once you’re in, tap the “Featured” button on the bottom left of the screen.
After this, you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the list to find the “Redeem” icon (with thick sarcasm, I would like to thank Apple for making this so easy to find).
Tap this, and you’ll see the blank field for entering your code. If you’re not logged in, you’ll be asked to do so. Then, the money will be in your account. Feel free to start downloading. Looking for some ideas? Katie Gatto has offered some recommendations for both $25 and $50 budgets.
- What to do with that iTunes gift card you got for Christmas: $25 Edition
- What to do with that iTunes gift card you got for Christmas: $50 Edition
Enjoy!
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Any ideas when I get an error that my free song code isn’t valid?
I’m bit a confused as I entered a code from a $15 giftcard, not a free song code…
on December 29, 2009 at 01:11 PM - LINKNot sure. Where’d you buy the card? Are you entering it through iTunes or through an iPod touch or iPhone?
on December 29, 2009 at 06:17 PM - LINKiTunes. I’m not sure, I got it as a gift. Maybe I should try US Store as well, it might have been a store problem.
on December 29, 2009 at 11:15 PM - LINKAh, yes, that’s likely it. The international stores don’t play well together, so a gift card purchased in the U.S. may only be good in the U.S. store.
on December 29, 2009 at 11:23 PM - LINKI redeemed my itunes card and on my account it says that I have a $15.00 credit but when I go to buy an app it takes me to the credit card page.
on December 30, 2009 at 11:52 PM - LINK@Terri
I noticed this as well. It seems you can’t buy apps you can only buy music with an iTunes giftcard. Correct me if I’m wrong, but every time I purchased an app it used my credit card, and for a song it used the money from the giftcard.
on January 1, 2010 at 12:38 PM - LINKI entered a $10 gift card, and it worked and says I have $10, but when I try to buy a movie that is $9.99 it says I don’t have enough credit!
PlEASE HELP ME!
on January 1, 2010 at 09:11 PM - LINKWell entered my redeem code in but it didnt add the money…anyone know why/how to fix this ??
on January 5, 2010 at 05:04 PM - LINKSam, is there tax on the movie?
Elliott, not sure. Did you enter the code through iTunes or the iPhone? Did it give you any sort of confirmation?
on January 5, 2010 at 07:17 PM - LINKYes it did confirm. I did it on my iPhone but my money has not been added.
on January 6, 2010 at 07:52 AM - LINKNicholas, I’m pretty sure the Canadian iTunes store still does not allow gift cards to be used for app purchases, whereas you now can in the U.S. I’ll update the article to point that out.
Elliott, are you in the U.S.?
on January 6, 2010 at 08:34 AM - LINKActually im in the UK. Unfortunately i can no longer re-enter the code as my iphone states that this card has already been used.(By me).
on January 6, 2010 at 10:17 AM - LINKJUst recieved this message when used on the computer: The Gift card or Itunes card has not been activated. See the retailer for more assistance.
on January 6, 2010 at 10:32 AM - LINKHow can i do that if i bought it from a super store.
Gift cards have to be activated by the store (usually the cashier) when you purchase it to verify they haven’t been stolen. It’s possible the cashier messed that up, or didn’t do it. Can you take the card back to the store for activation? You may need the receipt.
on January 6, 2010 at 10:48 AM - LINKAlright may have to do that. Grrr. Thats my own money ive spent and now i have to waste more time for £15. Very annoying becuase of the cashier. She should have noticed that i guess. I’ll have to ask every time i buy one from now on…
Thanks for the answer.
on January 6, 2010 at 11:23 AM - LINKI redeem my $20 itunes card, after i was browsing around foo apps,(but on top of the right had corner i see the credit of $20.00)
on January 10, 2010 at 07:05 AM - LINKAfter my itunes frozed, so i shut it down, now when i went back on itunes, the credit is not there anymore, i tried to redeem again, but it said already redeemed, how can use the card?
Um when I went to the app store and scrolled to the bottom of featured, the redeem icon wasn’t there. Advice?
on January 20, 2010 at 12:39 PM - LINKIs the “New” tab selected at the top? “What’s Hot” and “Genius” don’t have the Redeem link.
on January 20, 2010 at 12:46 PM - LINKHi there,
I’m from Canada, I purchased a I-tunes gift-card, went and redeemed it. Shows a 15$ credit at the top right of I-tunes. Which I understand that can be used to make purchases with.
I went to the game apps, went to go buy an app, and it takes me directly to the method of payment page. Doesn’t even register I have a 15$ credit.
And help would be appreciated.
on February 3, 2010 at 01:54 PM - LINKHello, Sonny. Unless it’s been recently changed the Canadian iTunes store doesn’t allow you to use gift cards for app purchases. As far as I know, that can only be done currently in the U.S.
on February 3, 2010 at 04:42 PM - LINKCRAP!
Thanks Kirk, even though you bare bad news, I appreciate the response.
(at least didn’t spend large, went with the 15$ gift card)
on February 3, 2010 at 07:46 PM - LINKWell, you could always buy some good music or a movie with it!
on February 3, 2010 at 07:49 PM - LINKi used to have a ipod shuffel and nowi got a ipod nano and i for everything to my ituens acount so i made a new one how do i get my old music to my new acount and finsh useing the old ituns card with my new wmail and itunes acount
on April 4, 2010 at 12:36 AM - LINKThat one’s tricky Jessica, because Apple now sees those as two separate accounts. You may have to log out of your new account, log into the old one and use the card.
As for transferring your old songs to the new account, I’d give an Apple a call to see if they have a quick way to do it, although I doubt it. If that’s the case, report back here and I can recommend some programs that’ll allow you to export them from the old iTunes account and then import them into the new one.
on April 4, 2010 at 07:40 PM - LINKI redeemed my gift card and did not try to use it for 6 days…....when I tried to use the money it disappeared. I double checked my purchases with my credit card and it equals out. Any suggestions?
on April 25, 2010 at 07:50 PM - LINK