You can redeem App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, Apple Music Gift Cards, and content codes in the iTunes Store, Apple Books, or App Store. If you can't redeem your gift card or content code, choose the option that best describes your issue:
Card or code is invalid
There is no cost to order and activate a Netspend card. Once you activate the card, you may choose from our selection of fee plans. To view the fee plans and other costs associated with using the card, see our fee schedule.
Follow these steps if you see a message that your card or code is invalid:
Check the front of the card
If you're redeeming a card, make sure that you're redeeming an App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card, not an Apple Store Gift Card. Learn more about the differences between these cards.
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App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card: First try to redeem your gift card, then try the steps below if you can't redeem it.
Apple Store Gift Card: Learn where you can redeem an Apple Store Gift Card.
Before redeeming your card with your camera, peel or gently scratch off the label on the back of the card to reveal the hidden 16-digit redemption code that begins with X.
Check that the redemption code on the back of the card has a black focus box around the code. Only cards or codes with a focus box around the redemption code can be redeemed using a camera.
After your camera scans and inputs the code, check that the code is correct.
If your camera can't read the redemption code, or the redemption code doesn't have a focus box around it, enter it manually.
If you received your App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card through email, click Redeem Now in the email to redeem the credit.
Enter the correct characters
Make sure that you're typing the correct characters. Some letters and numbers look alike, such as:
Check the expiration date
If you're trying to redeem a content code, check the expiration date printed on the back of the card. App Store & iTunes Gift Cards and Apple Music Gift Cards don't expire, but content codes do.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is already redeemed
If you see a message that says your card or code has already been redeemed, try signing out of the iTunes Store on all of your devices, then sign back in. This will refresh your credit balance. Learn how to find your credit balance.
If you redeemed your card toward an Apple Music membership, you can view your Apple Music membership and when you'll next be charged.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is inactive
If you see a message that your card is inactive, it might not have been properly activated. The best option is to go back to the retailer where you purchased it and try to resolve it with them.
If you need more help, contact us.
Card or code is unreadable
If the code on the back of your card is unreadable or completely scratched off, contact us.
Card or code is from a different country or region
App Store & iTunes Gift Cards and Apple Music Gift Cards are specific to your country or region. If you're trying to redeem an App Store & iTunes Gift Card or Apple Music Gift Card that was purchased in a different country or region, make sure that you're redeeming it in the iTunes Store for the same country or region. You can't redeem cards outside of the country or region of purchase. For example, an App Store & iTunes Gift Card purchased in France can't be redeemed in an iTunes Store in the U.S.
When redeeming Apple Music Gift Cards, make sure to redeem the cards in the iTunes Store for the same country or region. You can't change your country or region while you have an active membership.
Learn more about App Store Top-Up cards in China mainland.
If you need more help, contact Apple.
Get help from Apple Support
If you still can't redeem your card or code, or the code on the back of the card is completely scratched off, contact Apple Support. Apple Support can provide help, but you might still need to contact the retailer the card was originally purchased from.
Please be prepared to provide:
- An image of the full front and back of your card.
- A sales receipt showing when your card was purchased.
- The serial number from your card.
The serial number is not the same thing as the 16-digit PIN code. Serial numbers are located on the back of your card, and depending on the type of card that you have, the number might appear in different places. Here are some examples:
Serial number begins with '60' (Australia Gift Cards)
Jackie here. We recently discussed using gift cards and prepaid cards as anonymous form of payment, making this scam alert from the IC3 especially relevant. If you use gift cards, be sure to keep your eyes open so you don’t become a victim.
Gift cards are a popular source of fraud, probably due to their anonymous nature. Thieves can make purchases and access funds, all without ever having to reveal their identity. They utilize many different methods to execute this fraud. Let’s take a look at a couple:
Tactic #1- Steal and Return
Gift cards have no value until activated, so they aren’t usually under lock and key at the store. This makes them very easy to steal. Thieves steal the worthless gift cards, record card numbers and PINs, and then return the cards to the shelves at the store. These cards then wait for an unsuspecting buyer to purchase them and activate the funds. As soon as the card is activated, the thief uses the balance to make their own purchases online.
Tactic #2- Duplicate UPCs
In this gift card tampering method a thief will create multiple identical UPC barcodes for a gift card. These UPCs will be applied to cards at the store over the card’s existing code. When someone purchases a card, the UPC sticker is scanned and the balance added is put directly onto the card with the matching UPC, which is owned by the fraudster. They keep track of the balance, and as soon as it increases they spend it, often before the fraud is noticed by the consumer.
Tactic #3- Stolen Merchandise for Cards
Thieves don’t just tamper with gift cards on display; they also use them as part of other fraudulent schemes. For example, a fraudster might steal merchandise from a store and return it in exchange for store credit. They then use these gift cards as a trade to purchase drugs, other gift cards, or sell them for cash.
Tactic #4- Buying a Card for Sale
People that don’t want a gift card they’ve received often attempt to sell it. This gift card scam preys upon those with gift cards for sale. The thief will contact the seller and act interested in the card. They will request that a three way call be made to the retailer to ‘verify’ the balance amount. The seller calls the merchant with the fraudster on the line and enters in gift card information. The fraudster will then use special software to obtain the card number and PIN, which they then sell online.
Be careful with your gift cards so you don’t fall victim to one of these scams. Check out the full fraud alert from the IC3 here (second alert on the page).