How to check your iTunes gift card balance

Your iTunes gift card balance lives in your Apple ID account, not on the card itself. Once you redeem the card, the money moves into your Apple account wallet and you can spend it across the iTunes Store, App Store, Apple Books, and Apple Music — but only on that single Apple ID.

To see your balance, open the App Store or iTunes Store on your device, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Account Settings" or "View Account". Your available balance appears at the top. On a Mac, open the App Store, click your account name in the top right, and select "Account Settings". On a Windows PC with iTunes installed, go to Account > View My Account and look for "Apple ID Balance" near the top.

If you have not redeemed the card yet, the balance is printed on the back or inside the card packaging — but that number only becomes spendable once you redeem it into your account. Redeeming is permanent and cannot be reversed, so make sure you are using the correct Apple ID before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iTunes gift card balance only appears in your Apple ID account after you redeem the card; the printed number on an unredeemed card is not yet accessible to spend.
  • Once redeemed, the balance stays in that specific Apple ID and can be used across the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Books, and Apple Music.
  • You can check your balance in Account Settings on any Apple device, and the balance updates immediately after you make a purchase.
  • If your balance is zero or very low, check your purchase history to see what you have spent, because refunds can take up to 30 days to appear.

What you can and cannot buy with iTunes credit

iTunes gift card balance covers apps, games, in-app purchases, music, movies, TV shows, books, Apple Music subscriptions, and iCloud+ storage plans. You cannot use it to buy physical products like AirPods or an iPhone, and you cannot transfer the balance to another person's Apple ID or convert it to cash.

In-app purchases — like gems in a game or extra lives — draw from your iTunes balance automatically when you make them. If your balance is too low, the purchase will fail and you will be asked to add a payment method. Subscriptions like Apple Music will renew using your iTunes balance first, then fall back to your primary payment method if the balance runs out.

Redeeming a physical or digital gift card

Physical cards have a 16-character code on the back under a scratch-off panel. Digital cards sent by email contain the code in the message. To redeem, open the App Store or iTunes Store, tap your profile picture, select "Redeem Gift Card or Code", and enter the code exactly as it appears — spaces and hyphens matter.

The code works only once. If you enter it incorrectly three times, it locks temporarily. Wait 24 hours and try again, or contact Apple Support if the code still does not work. Once redeemed successfully, the balance appears in your account within seconds.

Do not share your code with anyone you do not trust. A redeemed code cannot be reversed, and Apple does not refund gift cards that were redeemed by someone else, even if you did not authorize it.

When your balance disappears or changes unexpectedly

If your balance drops suddenly, check your purchase history first. Open Account Settings, select "Purchase History" or "Billing History", and look for recent transactions. Subscriptions renew on their billing date and may have charged your iTunes balance without a notification.

Refunds take up to 30 days to return to your iTunes balance. If you requested a refund for an app or in-app purchase, the money will reappear gradually over that period. You can check the status of a refund request by going to Account Settings and looking for pending refunds.

If you see a purchase you did not make, report it to Apple Support immediately. Provide the transaction date and amount, and Apple can investigate whether your account was compromised. Do not change your password until you have reported the issue, because Apple may need to review your account activity.

Transferring balance between Apple IDs

Apple does not allow direct transfers of iTunes balance from one Apple ID to another. If you have balance on an old account and want to move it to a new one, your only option is to spend it on the old account first — buy apps, subscriptions, or content that you can then access on your new device if you sign in with the old ID.

If you are switching to a new Apple ID, plan ahead: use up your old balance before you migrate, or accept that it will stay tied to the old account. Family Sharing does not pool iTunes balances, so each family member's balance remains separate.

What happens to your balance if your account is closed

If you delete your Apple ID, any remaining iTunes balance is forfeited. Apple does not issue refunds for unused balance on closed accounts. Before you close an account, spend any remaining balance or contact Apple Support to discuss your options — though in most cases, they will not reverse a deletion or restore balance after the fact.

If your account is locked or suspended due to unpaid charges or suspicious activity, your balance remains frozen until the issue is resolved. Contact Apple Support with proof of the problem, and they can unlock your account and restore access to your balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iTunes balance to buy an Apple Music subscription?

Yes. Apple Music subscriptions renew monthly and will charge your iTunes balance first. If your balance is too low to cover the full subscription cost, the remaining amount will charge to your primary payment method. You can change your payment priority in Account Settings under Subscriptions.

What if I lost my gift card code before redeeming it?

If you have the original receipt or proof of purchase, contact Apple Support with the card's serial number or purchase details. They may be able to help you recover the code, but this depends on how you bought the card and whether you can prove ownership. Digital cards sent by email are easier to recover than physical cards.

Does my iTunes balance expire?

No. Once you redeem a gift card, the balance does not expire and you can use it whenever you want. However, if your Apple ID is deleted or closed, any remaining balance is lost permanently.

Can I see my purchase history to find out where my balance went?

Yes. Go to Account Settings, select Purchase History or Billing History, and you will see every transaction tied to that Apple ID, including the date, amount, and what was purchased. This shows subscriptions, app purchases, and in-app spending.

What if my gift card code is not working?

Check that you entered it exactly as printed — spaces, hyphens, and capitalization all matter. If you have tried three times and it still fails, wait 24 hours before trying again. If the code still does not work after that, contact Apple Support with the code and your receipt to report a defective card.