You found an old card in a desk drawer. Or maybe you just got a digital code for your birthday and can't remember if you already clicked "redeem." We've all been there. It's frustrating because Apple doesn't exactly make it a one-click process from every screen. Honestly, the biggest point of confusion usually stems from the fact that "iTunes" as a brand is mostly a ghost of its former self. Since the launch of macOS Catalina and the rebranding of services, your itunes gift card balance is basically just your Apple Account Balance now.
It's one pool of money. Whether you want to buy a movie, pay for iCloud storage, or get extra lives in a game, it all draws from the same bucket.
But here is the kicker: you can't actually check the balance of an unredeemed card without redeeming it. People search for "balance checkers" all the time, hoping to see if a physical card has $25 or $50 on it without actually adding it to their account. Apple doesn't allow that. Why? Fraud prevention. If there were a public portal to check balances, scammers would brute-force codes all day long. So, if the silver strip is scratched off and you want to know the value, you have to commit and link it to your Apple ID.
The Quickest Way to See Your iTunes Gift Card Balance
If you are on an iPhone, just open the App Store. That is the path of least resistance. Tap your photo or the little person icon in the top right corner. Right there, under your name and email, it should show your credit. If it doesn't show anything, it usually means your balance is zero. Apple doesn't display a "$0.00" just to be tidy; they only show the line item if there is actually cash waiting to be spent.
For the Mac users, it’s a bit different. You’ll want to open the App Store app, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar, and then look for "Account Settings" at the top. You might have to sign in with your Apple ID password because Apple is notoriously protective of account data. Once you’re in, the "Apple ID Balance" (the modern name for your itunes gift card balance) appears in the "At a Glance" section.
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Windows users aren't left out, though it feels a bit more "retro" for them. You still use the iTunes for Windows app. You click "Store" at the top and look for your name. It’s clunky, but it works.
What If the Number Looks Wrong?
Sometimes you redeem a $50 card, buy a $5 app, and suddenly your balance says $32. It feels like you’re being robbed. You aren't. What usually happens is a "pending" subscription hit your account the second the funds became available.
Apple has a specific hierarchy for how it takes your money. It always goes for the account balance first. If you have an Apple Music subscription or a Netflix bill (for those who grandfathered their billing through iTunes), Apple will snatch that money the moment you redeem a card. It’s also worth checking your "Purchase History" in the settings. Taxes are another sneaky culprit. A $9.99 subscription might actually cost $10.80 depending on where you live, and those extra cents add up over a few months of automated renewals.
Why You Can’t Find Your Balance on the Physical Card
Let’s talk about those "Balance Check" websites. If you Google "check itunes gift card balance," you will see a dozen third-party sites claiming they can verify your card's value.
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Never use these.
These sites are almost exclusively phishing scams. They want your 16-digit code so they can drain it before you do. Apple's official stance—and the reality of their software architecture—is that the only way to verify a card's value is through an official Apple app (App Store, Music, or TV) or by calling Apple Support at 1-800-APL-CARE. If you call, they will ask for the serial number (not the redemption code) to tell you if the card is active and what the original denomination was.
The Regional Trap
One thing that trips up travelers or people receiving gifts from abroad is the "Region Lock." If your cousin in London sends you a £25 iTunes gift card and you have a US-based Apple ID, you are stuck. You cannot check the balance because you cannot redeem the card. The currency of the card must match the region of your Apple ID. To fix this, you’d have to change your entire account region, which requires cancelling all your subscriptions and emptying your current balance. It's a headache. Most people just end up trading the code or giving it to someone in the correct country.
Managing a Growing Account Balance
Once you’ve redeemed your cards, that itunes gift card balance stays there forever. It doesn't expire. This is a common myth that keeps people up at night. Apple confirmed years ago that "purchased" credit (money you or someone else paid for) doesn't have an end date.
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However, "promotional" credit—the kind Apple might give you for a trade-in or a corporate giveaway—sometimes does have an expiration. You'll usually see a small disclaimer in the email if that’s the case.
If you are trying to clear your balance because you want to move to a different country or close your account, and you have something like $0.42 left, the system won't let you leave. You can't "delete" the remaining cents. In this specific scenario, you actually have to contact Apple Support and ask them to manually zero out your balance. It sounds like a lot of work for 42 cents, but it's the only way to bypass the regional locks.
How to Spend Your Balance Wisely
Don't just blow it on mobile games. Well, you can, but there are better uses.
- iCloud+ is the most practical. Paying for that 50GB or 200GB tier using gift card credit is a great way to ensure your photos are backed up without seeing a monthly hit on your credit card.
- Apple Books. People forget this exists. You can buy audiobooks or ebooks directly with your balance.
- Subscriptions like Disney+, Hulu, or HBO Max—if you signed up for them through the App Store—will also draw from this balance first.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
First, check your current standing. Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile. If you see a balance, great. If not, and you have a physical card, peel the label carefully. Don't use a knife; you might scratch the code off entirely. Use a coin.
If the code is unreadable because you were a bit too aggressive with a nickel, don't panic. You can take a photo of the back of the card (showing the serial number) and the receipt if you have it, and chat with Apple Support online. They can usually push the credit to your account manually once they verify the serial number hasn't been redeemed.
Finally, if you’re planning to give a card as a gift, consider sending a "Digital Gift Card" through the Mail app or the App Store. It bypasses the physical "scratched code" drama and ensures the recipient gets the funds directly into their itunes gift card balance with one tap. It’s cleaner, safer, and much harder to lose than a piece of cardboard.