Can't use Apple Account funds

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Level 1

16 points

Can't use Apple Account funds

I received a virtual gift card from Apple for a small amount.

I redeemed it, applying it to my Apple account. I can see that the balance is there.

I tried to purchase items in the Apple Store for less than that balance. I applied my funds. It showed nothing due on the purchase and a balance remaining on my account.

Address, phone number, email all consistent. Logged into the proper account.

Then when I click to finalize the purchase it says "Your payment authorization failed. Please verify your information and try again or try another payment method."

Checked everything. Of course I don't want to try another payment method.

I've tried removing the card then reapplying it. Paying a small portion of the cost on a real credit card. Nothing worked.

Spent 2 hours on the phone with half dozen departments through Apple Support. They couldn't make it work. Last theory one CSR offered was there was a problem with the gift card and they'd have to reissue (but the card redemption to my Apple Account was fine -- it was applying that account balance to the purchase that didn't work).

Looks like people here, on reddit and elsewhere have run into similar problems for several years.

Posted on Aug 12, 2025 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

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gracespop Author

Level 1

16 points

Aug 22, 2025 10:00 AM in response to gracespop

Update.

After hearing nothing from Apple in about two weeks since they opened a case and promised a response...I tried again, hoping the glitch had been resolved.

Nope. But a new twist.

Now, the Apple Store web site was telling me I could only order my items for pickup at a local Apple store and I couldn't get delivery. (Before it said the items weren't in stock locally.)

So, I tried to place an order on the web site for pickup at the store. Now, I had a new error that told me my Apple Account couldn't be used for web orders. That never came up in the two hours I spent on the phone with Apple support.

But, knowing the store had the product, I headed over there. My Apple Account worked fine at the store. And they had plenty of the product in stock.

Apple - for your own sake, you need to fix this.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

272,280 points

Aug 12, 2025 2:48 PM in response to gracespop

Oops … there’s something not quite right as your scenario is described.

gracespop wrote:

I've tried removing the card then reapplying it.

Assuming you’re talking about an Apple Gift Card, given you redeemed the card and see the balance in your Apple Account, there is no card available to remove! Something doesn’t add up.

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Answer 3

Aug 22, 2025 10:25 PM in response to sberman

I FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION gracespop

I don’t think that’s what she is saying.

I have the same problem, IN ADDITION TO:

- 2 unauthorized attempts to charge my default debit card for $85( 2 attempts in the same day for this amount) and another $67 charge which was also attempted twice in the same day. I had to call Apple support several times to find out what was happening. The CSR couldn’t find the charges on their end?!?! So I started to lock (or freeze) my default card. That didn’t work because then I wasn’t able to use the App Store to download any apps, regardless of whether they were free or not. So I tried putting a little money in the apple account for the apps I might need to get in the App Store. But it doesn’t seem to want me to spend that money. I only have the option to ADD MONEY?!?

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 4

sberman

Level 10

272,280 points

Aug 22, 2025 10:20 PM in response to MrsHarryStyles2020

MrsHarryStyles2020 wrote:

2 unauthorized attempts to charge my default debit card for $85( 2 attempts in the same day for this amount) and another $67 charge which was also attempted twice in the same day.

It sounds like this applies.

If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support

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