Can You Use an iTunes Gift Card for Apple Pay?

Getting an iTunes gift card is pretty common among many Apple users. People enjoy sending the cards as gifts as they are convenient and allow Apple fans to buy whatever they want to add to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. If you have received an iTunes gift card, you might wonder if you can use them for Apple Pay.

You cannot use an iTunes gift card for Apple Pay, but it’s possible to add funds from the card to your iPhone’s Wallet and Apple Pay feature. There are several steps you have to go through in order to transfer the amount found on the iTunes gift card into Wallet and Apple Pay so you can use it.

Can You Use an iTunes Gift Card for Apple Pay?

An iTunes gift card cannot be used for Apple Pay. An iTunes gift card is strictly used to download music from the now-defunct iTunes app and current Music app and it was only possible to buy iTunes via a stored credit or debit card.

This is because you can’t automatically get the funds from your gift card onto your iPhone so that you can use it on Apple Pay. 

However, even though these restrictions exist, you can take certain steps to redeem the balance on the card to your Apple ID.

Look on the back of the iTunes gift card and located the code. Peel off the label or scratch it off to see the code. Go on your iPhone or iPad and select the App Store app.

Once in the App Store app, tap to sign in and then choose “Redeem Gift Card or Code.” If you aren’t already logged into your Apple ID account, you will have to log in before you see this option. 

You can either use the iPhone’s camera and follow the steps to redeem the iTunes gift card or type in the code manually to add it to your account.

How Can You Add Funds to a Gift Card Wallet on Your Device?

Although there is no way to use an iTunes gift card for Apple Pay itself, you can still add the funds to the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. 

You can also add additional funds to your account that you can use when you go into an Apple Store. 

This is helpful when you prefer to pay for items using cash instead of your credit card.

To do this, you will have to first open the Wallet and Apple Pay on your device while you’re in an Apple Store.

Tap on the App Store and iTunes card stored in the Wallet and Apple Pay app. 

The Pass will open and show a unique QR code.

Show your device to an Apple Store employee with the App Store and iTunes pass showing and tell them how much money you wish to add to your account. 

You will have to pay that amount so that the funds can be added.

The employee will scan the QR code showing on your device to do that.

Can You Use Apple Pay on iTunes?

Unfortunately, there is no way to use Apple Pay on iTunes.

Apple Pay can only be used when there is a payment terminal such as those found in a physical store or on public transit.

Just like iTunes gift cards, Apple Pay is a separate entity that allows you to make payments when you prefer not to use cash or a credit or debit card.

How Can You Transfer a Gift Card to Apple Pay?

Although there is no way to use an iTunes gift card for Apple Pay, you can transfer an Apple gift card to your Wallet and Apple Pay app. 

To do this, you need to take a few simple steps.

Open the Wallet and Apple Pay app on your iPhone or iPad and swipe up to the “Edit Passes” option.

Press the “Scan Code” option.

Look at the back of your Apple gift card and located the QR code. There should be a silver film that you can peel off. 

Rub that off using a coin.

You should then get a notification on your device’s screen. 

Choose it and open Safari or whichever browser you use as your default.

Your browser will then open with a picture of a gift card with the amount on the card showing. 

Press the “Add” button that appears on the upper right corner of the screen to add the gift card to Wallet and Apple Pay.

What Can You Buy with an iTunes Gift Card?

You might also wonder if you can make purchases with your iTunes gift card for anything you want. 

While you can’t use the card to buy something through Apple Pay, you can use it to make other purchases.

An iTunes gift card can only be used to buy items from the iTunes Store or App Store directly from your device. 

You can buy only things that are virtual through those stores such as apps, music, books, games, TV shows and movies.

Once you have successfully completed a purchase using your iTunes gift card, the items will appear on your device so that you can use them.

Your iTunes gift card is used against the balance you have toward your Apple ID, which means that whatever you spend on it, the remaining funds stay. 

You can make more purchases later as long as you have enough money on the gift card.

Although there is no way to use an iTunes gift card for Apple Pay, you can still make good use of the funds.

You can transfer them to your Wallet and Apple Pay app or just buy things directly from your device to use and enjoy.