How to Add Funds to Your Apple Account Balance

Apple gives you various payment methods to make purchases on the App Store and Apple Online Store. As expected, you can pay using a credit card or debit card, but on top of that, you can also pay using your Apple Account balance.

But what exactly is an Apple Account balance? This guide will bring you up to speed with all the necessary details, from how to fund your Apple Account balance and all the many Apple products and services you can purchase with it.

What Is Apple Account Balance and What Can You Use It For?

Apple Account balance is an alternative payment method for Apple products and services. Once you add funds to it, you can use it to pay for Apple products and services. For example, you can buy products or accessories at Apple Store Online or the Apple Store app and pay for subscriptions like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade.

With your Apple Account balance, you can buy apps, games, or in-app purchases from the App Store. You can also buy books, music, and movies from Apple Books, iTunes, or the Apple TV app. And if you need additional iCloud storage, you can upgrade to iCloud+ with your Apple account balance.

However, Apple Account balance is only available in certain countries or regions. You can go to Apple’s support page to see if the feature is available in your country or region and what alternative payment methods you can use with your Apple ID if not. And even if your country supports it, you may be required to add a valid payment method.

If you use Apple’s Family Sharing service, your family members can’t use your Apple Account balance. When you add funds to your Apple Account balance, you’re the only one who can use them; this doesn’t mean you can’t share your purchases with your family.

Below, we’ll look at two ways to add funds to your Apple Account balance: by redeeming Apple Gift Cards or by adding funds directly.

How to Add Funds to Apple ID With Gift Cards

If someone gifts you an Apple Gift Card, you can redeem it into your Apple Account balance. Here, we’ll teach you how to do so on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC.

On iPhone and iPad

To redeem a gift card on an iPhone or iPad, follow these simple instructions:

1. Check the back of the card for a 16-digit code. Depending on the card, you might need to scratch or peel off the label to see the code.
2. Open the App Store on your device. If you aren’t signed in with your Apple ID, tap the Sign In button to do so.
3. Tap your photo at the top right of the screen.
4. Tap Redeem Gift Card or Code.
5. Tap Use Camera to capture your gift card’s code. Alternatively, you can tap Enter Code Manually to input your gift card’s code. You might be asked to sign in with your password to continue. Then, tap Done.

​​​​​​

And there you go. Once you’ve redeemed your gift card, it’ll show up in your Apple Account balance. If you’re in the United States, when you redeem a gift card to your Apple Account balance, it will also show up in your Apple Wallet app.

On a Mac

To redeem a gift card on a Mac, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Click on your name at the bottom left of the window. If you aren’t signed in, click on the Sign In button to do so.
3. Click Redeem Gift Card.

   

4. You may have to enter your Apple ID password at this stage.
5. Click Use Camera and follow the instructions on the screen.
6. You might be asked to enter the code if the Use Camera option doesn’t appear. After entering your code manually, click Redeem.

On a PC

Likewise, you can also redeem gift cards on a Windows PC. Instead of the App Store app, you’ll rely on iTunes. So, follow these steps:

1. Open iTunes.
2. Click on Account from the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window.
3. Select Redeem.

At this point, you just need to enter your Apple ID details to sign in and follow the onscreen instructions.

How to Add Funds to Apple ID With a Credit or Debit Card

Don’t have an Apple Gift Card? No problem. You can still add funds directly to your Apple Account balance with a credit or debit card linked to your Apple ID.

On iPhone and iPad

To add funds to your Apple Account balance with a credit or debit card on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the App Store on your device. If you aren’t signed in with your Apple ID, tap the Sign In button to do so.
2. Tap your photo at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap Add Funds to Apple ID or Add Money to Your Account.

   

4. Select an amount to add to your account. You can also tap Other to add a custom amount.

Follow the onscreen instructions. You might be asked to sign in to continue the process.

On a Mac

Assuming you have a valid payment method linked to your Apple ID, follow these steps on your Mac:

1. Open the App Store. Sign in with your Apple ID if you haven’t already.
2. Click on your name at the bottom-left corner of the window.
3. Click on Account Settings or View Information at the top of the screen.
4. You may have to sign in with your Apple ID once more.
5. Click Add Funds or Add Money on the Account Information page, then select the amount you want to add. Click on Other to input a custom amount.
6. Click Next, then confirm your choice.

Apple may ask you to verify your purchase via text or other means. So, keep your phone nearby while you do this.

On a PC

To add funds to your Apple Account balance with a credit or debit card on a Windows PC, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open iTunes. Sign in with your Apple ID if you aren’t already signed in.
2. From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, select Account, then View My Account.
3. Click Add Money or Add Funds on the Account Information page and select the amount you want to add. Or you can choose a custom amount by selecting Other.
4. Click Next, then confirm your choice.

Besides adding funds to your Apple Account balance on a PC using iTunes, you can buy songs and videos, view or update your account information, and view your purchase history.

Pay for Apple Products and Services Easily

Fund your Apple Account balance directly or by redeeming an Apple Gift Card to pay for subscriptions, movies, apps, books, games, and upgrading iCloud storage.

As long as Apple Gift Card is available in your country or region, you can use your Apple Account balance to shop for products and accessories at Apple’s website or in the Apple Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.