Check your balance online or in the Apple Store app

You can see how much money is left on your Apple Gift Card by visiting the Apple website, using the Apple Store app, or asking at a physical Apple Store. The fastest method is the website: go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your card number and the last four digits of your phone number, and your balance appears immediately. No account login required.

If you prefer the app, open Apple Store on your iPhone or iPad, tap the bag icon at the bottom, then tap your name at the top. Select "Redeem Gift Card or Code," enter your card number, and your balance shows right away. You can also check in person at any Apple Store by handing the card to a staff member — they'll scan it and tell you the balance.

Your balance stays the same whether you check it once or ten times. Checking does not use any money and does not expire the card.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit iforgot.apple.com and enter your card number to see your balance instantly without logging in.
  • The Apple Store app shows your balance when you tap the bag icon, then your name, then "Redeem Gift Card or Code."
  • You can ask any Apple Store employee to scan your card and tell you the balance in person.
  • Checking your balance does not spend any money or affect when the card expires.

What information you need to check

You need the 16-digit card number printed on the front of your Apple Gift Card. This is the long number below the barcode. You also need the last four digits of a phone number associated with your Apple account — usually your own phone number, but it can be any number you used when you set up your Apple ID.

If you don't have the card in front of you, you can still check the balance if you remember the card number. Write it down or take a photo of the card before you lose it, so you have the number saved somewhere safe.

Why your balance might not match what you expected

If your balance is lower than you thought, the card may have been used already — either by you or by someone else who had access to the card number. Apple Gift Cards can be redeemed for apps, music, movies, books, iCloud storage, AppleCare, or anything in the Apple Store. Each purchase reduces the balance immediately.

If you received the card as a gift and the balance is zero or very low, the card may have been used before you received it. Check the receipt or packaging to see if there's a record of when it was purchased. If you believe the card was used without your permission, contact Apple Support with your card number and the date you received it.

Checking a balance on a card you don't own

You can check the balance on someone else's Apple Gift Card if you have the card number and the last four digits of a phone number associated with their Apple account. However, you cannot see the balance without that phone number — the system requires both pieces of information to prevent unauthorized access.

If you're trying to check a balance on a card that belongs to someone else and you don't have their phone number, you'll need to ask them directly. Apple does not provide balance information over the phone or email, and there's no way around this requirement.

What happens if you lose the card number

If you lose your Apple Gift Card and don't have the card number written down or photographed, you cannot check the balance or use the card. Apple does not issue replacement cards or refunds for lost or stolen gift cards, and there's no way to recover the number after the card is gone.

To avoid this, take a photo of the card front and back as soon as you receive it, or write the 16-digit number in a safe place. Store this information separately from the physical card — if someone finds the card and has the number, they can spend the balance.

Using your balance after you check it

Once you know your balance, you can spend it on anything in the Apple ecosystem: apps and in-app purchases, Apple Music or Apple TV+ subscriptions, iCloud+ storage plans, AppleCare protection plans, or physical products from the Apple Store. You can also use your balance to buy gift cards for other people.

When you're ready to spend the balance, sign into your Apple ID on any device, go to the App Store or Apple Store, and select your gift card as the payment method. The balance will be applied automatically. If your purchase costs more than your remaining balance, you'll be asked to add another payment method for the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my balance use any of the money on the card?

No. Checking your balance does not spend any money or affect the card in any way. You can check as many times as you want without reducing the balance.

What if I enter the wrong phone number when checking my balance?

The system will tell you the information doesn't match and won't show your balance. Try again with the correct phone number. If you don't remember the phone number, you may need to contact Apple Support.

Can I check my balance without the physical card?

Yes, as long as you have the 16-digit card number and the last four digits of the associated phone number. You don't need the card itself to check the balance online.

How long does an Apple Gift Card balance stay valid?

Apple Gift Cards do not expire. Your balance remains available indefinitely, even if you don't use it for years. However, if your Apple account is closed or deleted, you may lose access to the balance.

What should I do if my balance is wrong?

If your balance doesn't match what you expected, check your purchase history in your Apple account to see what was bought. If you believe there was an error or unauthorized use, contact Apple Support with your card number and the details of the transactions you're questioning.