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I added a gift card but can’t use the funds.

What do I do?

I don’t have any money on my card and it keeps telling me to update my payment method.



Posted on Mar 14, 2023 12:21 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 14, 2023 3:18 PM

You may need to have a valid payment method on file.

You will receive an invoice from Apple on your default payment method, regardless of the iCloud+ subscription and/or the purchase of apps, music, etc.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.


See -> What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)

⤵️

  • You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
  • If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are only available to you. Find out more about how purchases are billed to your Apple Account balance.
  • Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


See also -> How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card

How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card – Apple Support (UK)


When redeeming a gift card, the amount will be credited to your (1) Apple Account balance and (2) you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment.


(1)

See -> Check your Apple Account balance -> Check your Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)


(2)

See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)


If you already use your Apple Account balance, the Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card is automatically added to your Apple Account balance.

 

If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple Account balance, It would take about 1 to 3 business days in order to process.

If you're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.


See also the following Apple articles:

If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method

If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support


Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


Read also -> Related Article: If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store

How to complete your purchase if a payment failed or was declined

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Tap Payment & Shipping.
  4. Add a different payment method and remove the old one
  5. Try to complete your purchase.


If you still can't make a purchase


 

Click here for more support and assistance.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 14, 2023 3:18 PM in response to jessika970

You may need to have a valid payment method on file.

You will receive an invoice from Apple on your default payment method, regardless of the iCloud+ subscription and/or the purchase of apps, music, etc.

If you have set your Apple Account balance as your default payment method, your default payment method will be used first by Apple when you need to make a payment.


See -> What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance

What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)

⤵️

  • You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.
  • If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are only available to you. Find out more about how purchases are billed to your Apple Account balance.
  • Some purchases might require you to have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.


See also -> How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card

How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card – Apple Support (UK)


When redeeming a gift card, the amount will be credited to your (1) Apple Account balance and (2) you need to set your Apple Account balance as your default payment.


(1)

See -> Check your Apple Account balance -> Check your Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)


(2)

See -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID -> Add a payment method to your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)


If you already use your Apple Account balance, the Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card is automatically added to your Apple Account balance.

 

If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple Account balance, It would take about 1 to 3 business days in order to process.

If you're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.


See also the following Apple articles:

If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method

If you need to change or update your Apple ID payment method - Apple Support


Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID

Payment methods you can use with your Apple ID – Apple Support (UK)

 

fyi: Not all credit & debit cards seem to work with App Store / iTunes Store, try a different one, or preferably a credit card. If your card is not accepted as a paymenf method, you need to contact your bank.


Read also -> Related Article: If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store

How to complete your purchase if a payment failed or was declined

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Tap Payment & Shipping.
  4. Add a different payment method and remove the old one
  5. Try to complete your purchase.


If you still can't make a purchase


 

Click here for more support and assistance.


I added a gift card but can’t use the funds.

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