Add the card by scanning or entering the code manually

To add an Apple Gift Card to Wallet on iPhone or iPad, open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Gift Card" from the menu, then choose Apple. You can either scan the 16-digit code on the back of the physical card using your camera, or tap "Enter Code Manually" and type the numbers yourself.

Once you've entered the code, the card appears in your Wallet immediately. The balance shows on the card's face, and you can use it right away to buy apps, music, books, subscriptions, or anything else in the Apple ecosystem — including in-app purchases and Apple services like Apple Music or iCloud storage.

If you received a digital Apple Gift Card by email, the process is slightly different. Open the email on your iPhone, tap "Add to Wallet," and the card imports automatically. You don't need to manually enter anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Wallet, tap the plus sign, select Gift Card, then Apple, and either scan the code or type it in manually.
  • Digital Apple Gift Cards sent by email can be added directly by tapping "Add to Wallet" in the email itself.
  • Once added, your card balance displays in Wallet and you can spend it immediately across the App Store, iTunes, Apple Books, and Apple services.
  • You can add multiple Apple Gift Cards to Wallet, and the balances stack together when you make a purchase.
  • If you lose access to your device, your gift card balance is tied to your Apple ID account, not the physical card or Wallet app.

What happens when you use the card to buy something

When you make a purchase in the App Store, iTunes, Apple Books, or any Apple service, the system automatically deducts the amount from your gift card balance first. If your gift card doesn't cover the full cost, you'll be prompted to add a payment method for the remainder. You can see your remaining balance anytime by opening Wallet and tapping the Apple Gift Card.

The card stays in your Wallet even after the balance reaches zero. Some people keep it there as a record, while others delete it. Either way, you can always add a new card later.

Adding a card from a physical gift card versus email

Physical Apple Gift Cards come in denominations ranging from $15 to $500 and are sold at retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart. You'll find a 16-digit code printed on the back, usually under a scratch-off panel. Scan this code with your camera or type it in manually.

Email gift cards are sent directly to a recipient's inbox and include a link to add the card to Wallet. This method is faster because there's no physical card to handle and no code to type. The recipient can add it to Wallet within seconds of receiving the email.

Both types work identically once they're in Wallet — the delivery method is the only difference.

Troubleshooting if the code won't scan or work

If your camera won't read the code, make sure you're holding the card steady under good lighting and that the code is fully visible in the frame. Some older or damaged cards have faded printing that's harder for cameras to read. In those cases, tap "Enter Code Manually" and type the 16 digits yourself.

If you get an error message saying the code is invalid, double-check that you've entered all 16 digits correctly — it's easy to misread a 0 as an O or a 1 as an I. If the code still doesn't work after you've verified it, the card may not have been activated yet. Contact Apple Support or the retailer where you bought the card.

If you're adding a digital gift card from email and the "Add to Wallet" button doesn't appear, try opening the email in the Apple Mail app rather than a third-party email client. Some email apps don't support the Wallet integration.

Using your gift card across Apple services

Your Apple Gift Card balance works across the entire Apple ecosystem. You can use it to buy apps and games in the App Store, music and podcasts in Apple Music, books in Apple Books, movies and TV shows in the iTunes Store, and subscriptions like Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, or iCloud+ storage plans.

The balance also covers in-app purchases — if you're playing a game and want to buy virtual currency or items, your gift card balance pays for that too. This makes it useful for parents who want to give their children a set spending limit on apps and games.

What to do if you lose your device or switch phones

Your Apple Gift Card balance is tied to your Apple ID, not to your device or the Wallet app. If you lose your iPhone or switch to a new one, your gift card balance remains in your account. Sign in with the same Apple ID on your new device, open Wallet, and add the card again using the same process — or it may appear automatically if you restore from a backup.

If you can't remember the card code and need to re-add it, you can view your gift card balance and history by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account, then tapping "Gift Cards." This shows all cards you've ever added to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an Apple Gift Card to Wallet on Android?

No. Wallet is an Apple app that only works on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Android users can still redeem Apple Gift Cards by visiting apple.com on their device and entering the code, but the card won't appear in a digital wallet. The balance will be added to their Apple ID account and available for purchases.

What if I have multiple Apple Gift Cards?

You can add as many cards as you want to Wallet. When you make a purchase, the system draws from all of them automatically, starting with the card that has the oldest balance. You can see each card's remaining balance by opening Wallet and scrolling through them.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?

No. Once a gift card code is redeemed to an Apple ID, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be transferred, refunded, or used by anyone else. This is why it's important to keep the code private until you're ready to add it to your own account.

Does my gift card balance expire?

Apple Gift Cards don't expire. Your balance will remain in your account indefinitely, even if you don't use it for months or years. However, some retailers may have different policies on physical cards they sell, so check the back of the card or your receipt if you're concerned.

What if the code on my physical card is scratched off or unreadable?

Contact Apple Support with proof of purchase (your receipt). They can help you recover the code or transfer the balance to a new card. Retailers like Best Buy or Target may also be able to help if you bought the card from them recently.