Apple Gift Cards: How To Use & Spend Them | Screen Rant
Apple gift cards make an easy present for anyone that owns an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac computer. Of course, they can also be used to introduce someone new to Apple devices or services. The credits can be used for payments on Apple products and accessories, or for intangibles such as apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and even to pay for iCloud storage. The way it works is similar to other gift cards, but it can be helpful to get a few tips in advance to make the process easier.
Apple used to be strictly a computer company, making hardware only, but it quickly expanded into software. Over the years, laptop computers, monitors, and a whole range of mobile devices followed. Apple has also expanded as a cloud service, with five gigabytes of iCloud storage for file and photo storage coming bundled for free with any iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer purchase. Additional storage is available on a subscription basis, as well as subscription options for Apple Music, TV Plus, and streaming services. The latest is Fitness Plus, which integrates with the Apple Watch to provide heart rate and calories burned on-screen along with a workout instructor.
An Apple gift card makes it easy for owners of Apple devices to start a new subscription or add to an existing one, making the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad more useful. For those new to Apple, a gift card can be used to buy Apple accessories and devices also. To redeem an Apple gift card on an Apple device, it's easiest to use the App Store app. Simply opening the app, tapping the icon or personal photo will show the user account window and the words ‘Redeem Gift Card or Code’ will appear near the top. Tapping ‘Redeem’ will begin the process. Scanning the card with the device camera is quickest, but the 16-digit code from the back of the card can also be typed in manually. For those using a Windows computer, the process is the same but starts with the iTunes app. To redeem an Apple gift card using an Android device, use the Apple Music app. In each case, the user must go to account settings, click or tap on ‘Redeem’ then type in the code from the back of the card.
An Apple gift card can usually be used in an Apple Store, just as a credit card would be used, but Apple Stores are restricting access currently, due to the pandemic. At present, online use is best. After redeeming the card, the amount will show as a balance associated with the user's Apple ID and can be used in the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV and Apple Books to buy content or subscription services. After signing in at Apple’s website, the balance can be applied to any product or service that can be bought from Apple, including devices, accessories, and subscription services. The balance can be used fully or in part, with any remainder available for future purchases. Only a couple of restrictions apply. Apple gift cards cannot be used to buy other gift cards and can’t be used by family members when family sharing is enabled. This is because family sharing requires payment only from the primary account.
Apple gift cards sent by email can be purchased with a value between $10 and $500. For example, an Apple Arcade subscription is just $5 per month and pays for use on any iPhone, iPad, and Mac in a household if using family sharing. A $25 gift card would pay for 5 months of Apple Arcade. Apple Music costs only $10 per month and offers millions of songs for high-quality streaming to any Apple device. Apple Music is now supported on Android phones, so the value is even better. A gift card with a value of $120 would pay for a year of Apple Music. Note that sales tax may apply, so a little extra on the gift card would help cover that cost. A higher-value card may even be used for purchasing an Apple Watch, iPhone SE, or iPad. Gift cards sent by email can be purchase with a value between $10 and $500. When sent by regular mail, the minimum value is $25 but can be as high as $2,000. The expanded range opens up several more product possibilities, including the iPhone 12, iPad Pro, or even a MacBook or Mac desktop computer. An Apple gift card makes an easy and kind gift that allows some freedom in how it is redeemed.
Source: Apple