You're standing in the checkout line or sitting on your couch, looking at that sleek piece of plastic or a digital code in your inbox, wondering if you’re rich or broke. We've all been there. Maybe it was a birthday gift from an aunt who still thinks you use iTunes, or perhaps you found it tucked inside a desk drawer. Whatever the case, you need to check Apple gift card balance before you try to buy that new app or subscribe to another month of iCloud+ storage.
It’s actually kinda confusing now.
Apple used to have different cards for everything. You had Store cards, iTunes cards, and those weird App Store cards. Now, they’ve basically unified everything into the "Apple Gift Card." It works for products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, and even your Netflix bill if you’re still grandfathered into Apple billing. But checking the balance isn't always as simple as looking at a receipt.
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Why checking your balance is weirder than it looks
Here is the thing. Most people think there is just one "balance." There isn't. You have the balance on the card and then you have your Apple Account Balance.
Once you redeem a card, the plastic is worthless. The money moves to your Apple ID. If you haven't redeemed it yet, the money is just sitting there in limbo. Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is trying to check a balance on a card they already added to their account months ago. If you see $0.00 after typing in the code, don't panic. You probably already spent it on a random in-app purchase for a game you don't even play anymore.
The Quick Way (iPhone and iPad)
If you're on an iPhone, you're already 90% of the way there. Open the App Store. Look at the top right corner. You’ll see your photo or a little blue silhouette. Tap that.
If you have a balance already linked to your Apple ID, it shows up right under your name. It’ll say something like "Apple Account: $15.24." If you don't see a dollar amount there, it means your account is currently at zero.
To check a physical card you just found, tap Redeem Gift Card or Code. You can use the camera to scan it, which is way better than typing those annoying 16-digit strings. If you aren't ready to add the money to your account but just want to see if the card is active, you're out of luck using this specific method. Apple's system is designed to "check and claim" simultaneously.
The Mac Method
Some people still prefer the desktop. Fine. Open the App Store app on your Mac. Click your name or the sign-in button at the bottom of the sidebar. You might have to enter your password because Apple is obsessed with security. Once you're in, the balance appears under your name.
What about those old iTunes cards?
You know the ones. They have the groovy silhouettes of people dancing with iPods. They look like relics from 2006.
Good news: they still work.
Apple confirmed years ago that legacy iTunes and App Store cards are still valid. You check them the exact same way. However, if you have a Store Gift Card (the ones that are usually solid silver, gold, or white), those are technically for the physical Apple Store. You can’t always use those for digital apps unless you transfer them, which is a whole different headache involving Apple Support.
The "No-Redeem" Balance Check
Maybe you want to give the card to someone else. You want to check Apple gift card balance without actually attaching it to your own email address.
This is where it gets tricky.
Apple doesn't provide a public-facing website where you can just "peek" at a balance without signing in. You used to be able to do this more easily, but scammers ruined it for everyone. Now, you generally have to go through the official Apple Support portal.
- Go to the Apple website.
- Search for "Check Balance."
- You will likely be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID.
- Enter the code.
If you really don't want to sign in, you can try calling 1-800-MY-APPLE. Be prepared to wait. You'll need the serial number on the back of the card, which is different from the redemption code. Honestly, it's usually faster to just log in.
Common Roadblocks and Scams
Let's talk about the dark side. If a website asks you to enter your gift card code to "verify" it, and it isn't an apple.com domain, you are being robbed. Period.
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Scammers love Apple gift cards because they are basically untraceable cash. I've seen people get emails saying their iCloud is full and they need to buy a gift card to fix it. That's a lie. Apple will never ask you to pay for services with a gift card over the phone or via email.
If you try to check Apple gift card balance and get an "Invalid Code" error, check your eyes first.
- O and 0 (zero) look the same.
- B and 8 are enemies.
- S and 5 will betray you.
If the code is definitely right and it still fails, the card might not have been activated at the register. If the cashier didn't scan it properly at Target or CVS, the card is just a useless piece of plastic. You'll need the original receipt to prove to Apple that it was actually paid for. Without that receipt, you're basically holding a colorful coaster.
Checking Balance in Other Regions
Gift cards are region-locked. This is a massive pain. If you have a card bought in the US, you cannot redeem it on a UK Apple ID.
To check the balance of a foreign card, you'd actually have to change your App Store region, which requires cancelling all your subscriptions first. It's a nightmare. If you're looking at a card from another country, your best bet is to give it to a friend who lives there or sell it on a reputable exchange.
Digital vs. Physical Cards
Digital cards are way easier. Usually, the email comes with a "Redeem Now" button. When you click that, it opens the App Store and shows you the balance before you confirm the "Add to Account" step.
Physical cards require the "scratch-off" dance. Don't use a knife. I've seen people slice right through the code. Use a coin. Gently. If you do ruin the code, you have to contact Apple Support. They can sometimes verify the card using the serial number (the one that starts with an 'G' or 'E'), but they'll ask for photos of the front and back of the card.
What can you actually buy?
Once you’ve confirmed you have a balance, the world is your oyster. Or at least, the Apple ecosystem is.
- Hardware: Yes, you can use your account balance to buy an iPhone or a MacBook, but only if you're in a country that supports the "Universal" Apple Gift Card.
- Subscriptions: It’ll pull from your balance first before hitting your credit card for Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, or Apple Music.
- In-Game Stuff: If you're a Genshin Impact or Roblox fan, your balance is your best friend.
Actionable Steps for Your Balance
Stop guessing and just do this:
- Check the back of the card: If the code is visible, it might already be used.
- Open the App Store app: This is the most reliable way to see what's currently "banked" in your account.
- Scan, don't type: Use the camera feature to avoid "typo rage."
- Check your "Purchase History": If you think your balance is lower than it should be, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History. You might find a forgotten subscription took a bite out of your funds.
- Keep the receipt: Until the money is successfully in your digital account, that little slip of paper is your only insurance policy.
Once the balance is added, it never expires. You could leave $5.00 in there for a decade and it’ll still be there when we're all using Apple Vision Pro 12s. Just make sure your Apple ID is secure with Two-Factor Authentication, because if someone gets into your account, that gift card balance is the first thing they'll spend.