Why can’t I use my money on my account for a game from the AppStore?

I bought an apple gift card so I could use it for Monopoly go, I have more than enough money in my apple account but it won’t go through.

iPhone SE, iOS 16

Posted on Aug 18, 2023 04:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 18, 2023 04:41 PM

I bought an apple gift card so I could use it for Monopoly go, I have more than enough money in my apple account but it won’t go through.


(you have done this) See -> 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, (1) the amount will be credited to your Apple Account balance and (2) then 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're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.


See also -> 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)



and ⤵️

  • 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.


If you still need help, get support from Apple directly -> Get Support or call Apple in your region see -> Contact Apple for support and service 


-----

If you have a valid payment method on file, instead of buying or order an App Store & iTunes gift card, you can Add money to your Apple Account balance anytime, no gift card needed, see -> Apple Gift Card - Apple (UK)


Where to buy a physical Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card: actually, you can buy an Apple gift card at many places, at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller in your region.


See also this Apple article:  If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card

If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support


Beware of -> About Gift Card Scams -> About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support 

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 18, 2023 04:41 PM in response to KimboSlice91

I bought an apple gift card so I could use it for Monopoly go, I have more than enough money in my apple account but it won’t go through.


(you have done this) See -> 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, (1) the amount will be credited to your Apple Account balance and (2) then 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're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.


See also -> 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)



and ⤵️

  • 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.


If you still need help, get support from Apple directly -> Get Support or call Apple in your region see -> Contact Apple for support and service 


-----

If you have a valid payment method on file, instead of buying or order an App Store & iTunes gift card, you can Add money to your Apple Account balance anytime, no gift card needed, see -> Apple Gift Card - Apple (UK)


Where to buy a physical Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card: actually, you can buy an Apple gift card at many places, at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller in your region.


See also this Apple article:  If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card

If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support


Beware of -> About Gift Card Scams -> About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support 

Aug 18, 2023 04:34 PM in response to KimboSlice91

What do you mean by won't go through? What messages do you see? Do you see a "Your purchase could not be completed" message?


A possible reason for seeing this message is Apple cannot find a functioning payment method to use in making this purchase. You may not have adequate balance, the kind of payment method required, or there may be problems with the method(s) you do have.


Use the document Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support to review your payment methods such as credit or debit cards. Problem methods will usually have a notice in red lettering below them. The article: If your payment method is declined in the App Store or iTunes Store - Apple Support has some information about declined payment methods.


If using Apple Account balance to pay for an item, ensure there is adequate balance to pay for the item, including tax if applicable. Read this article about how to check your Apple ID balance.--> Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support Some purchases may require the presence of another payment method such as a credit card even if the final payment will be made by account balance.


If the information above does not track down the nature of the problem then you may find the fastest route to resolution would be to accept the invitation to contact Apple for assistance with this.


To contact iTunes Support, do this:

1. Click on this link --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support

2. Select your country

3. Select: Billing & Subscriptions

4. Select: Subscriptions & Purchases

5. Select: Update payment method

6. Select a chat session or a phone call.





Feb 10, 2024 02:11 PM in response to Teamjohnny

Do you really mean Apple Card as in the credit card that you can apply to through Apple? Or do you instead mean account balance from an Apple gift card, which is not the same thing? Apple has many criteria for when it will require you have a fully functional payment method such as a credit or debit card. If they are asking for that then you have no option but to comply. If you wish I can post a full list of when they may require one, bit it is pretty general. If they want one they will say so.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why can’t I use my money on my account for a game from the AppStore?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.