Do iTunes Gift Cards Expire? No, and They Buy More Now
Do iTunes gift cards expire? No, and neither does the balance after you redeem one. Apple’s current terms set no expiration date on the card, the code, or the money.
That old card in the junk drawer is worth full value. Once redeemed in the US, it can even help pay for accessories at apple.com, which the old iTunes cards never could on their own.
Here is how to redeem it, check what it is worth, and spend every dollar. Every step was checked against Apple’s current support pages in August 2026.
What Happened to iTunes Gift Cards
Apple now sells one card for everything, the Apple Gift Card with a colorful Apple logo on a white front.
Apple still lists the blue App Store & iTunes cards on its card type page, and files the original iTunes Store cards under older gift cards. Apple’s page says you can still redeem an older card by following the steps on the back.
So an iTunes card from years ago still turns into real money on your account.
The Two Year Rumor, Cleared Up
Older advice, including an earlier version of this article, said the 16 digit codes could stop working two years after purchase.
Apple’s current terms contain no such rule. We read the full terms document before this update, and the only expiration language in it covers credit cards on file, never gift cards or codes.
If a card came free in a promotion, check its fine print, since promotional codes can carry their own dates. A card you bought or received as a gift has no clock on it.
How to Redeem an Old iTunes Gift Card
You need an Apple Account, and setting one up costs nothing. Our guide on creating a free Apple ID walks through it.
On an iPhone:
- Find the 16 digit code on the back of the card. Peel or gently scratch off the label if it is covered.
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your photo or the sign in button at the top of the screen.
- Tap Redeem Gift Card or Code. If you do not see it, sign in to your Apple Account first.
- Tap Use Camera and point it at the code. If the camera struggles, tap Enter Code Manually.
- Tap Redeem.
On a Mac, open the App Store, click your name in the sidebar, then click Redeem Gift Card.
On a Windows PC, open the Apple Music app or Apple TV app, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar, then click Redeem.
An iPad uses the same steps as the iPhone, through the App Store app.
Got the card by email? Open the email and tap Redeem Now.
How to Check Your Balance
Open the App Store app and tap your photo, your initials, or the sign in button at the top of the screen.
If you have a balance, the amount appears right there. If no amount shows, the account has no balance.
On a Mac, the amount sits below your name in the App Store sidebar.
Locked out of the account that holds the money? Our guide on resetting a forgotten Apple ID password gets you back in.
What the Balance Buys Now
Once redeemed, an old iTunes card becomes plain Apple Account balance. Apple treats it the same as money from a new Apple Gift Card.
That balance covers apps, games, and in app purchases, plus music, movies, and books. It also pays for subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV, and iCloud+.
The part most people miss: in the United States, Apple Account balance also works toward products and accessories at apple.com, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple retail stores.
A few limits apply. The balance cannot send gifts or buy more gift cards, some recurring charges like AppleCare+ cannot start on balance alone, and Family Sharing members cannot spend your balance.
If the Code Will Not Redeem
Type the code with Enter Code Manually instead of using the camera. A worn label can confuse the scan even when the code is fine.
Check the card type. A solid gray, white, silver, or gold card is an Apple Store Gift Card, which Apple says works at its stores rather than in the App Store.
If the code reads as invalid or already redeemed, contact Apple Support with the card in hand. Keep the receipt if you have it.
One Warning Before You Go
Apple gift cards only buy Apple products and services. Anyone who tells you to pay a bill, a tax, or a fee with an Apple gift card is running a scam, and Apple has a page saying exactly that.
Never read the numbers on the back of a card to someone you do not know. Once a scammer has the code, the money can be spent before anyone can stop it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn an iTunes gift card into cash?
No. Apple’s terms say gift cards are not redeemable for cash and cannot be returned for a cash refund except where the law requires it. They also cannot be resold or used to buy other gift cards.
Can my family spend my redeemed balance?
No. Apple says your balance is available only to you, even with Family Sharing turned on. Each family member pays from their own balance or payment method.
Can the balance pay for Apple Music or Apple TV?
Yes. Subscriptions bill against your balance until it runs out. If you would rather trim subscriptions than fund them, our guide on canceling Apple TV shows the fastest path.
Do Apple Store gift cards work in the App Store?
No. Those solid color cards belong to Apple’s retail side. The back of the card spells out where it works, and Apple keeps the two systems separate for older cards.
Sources
- Apple: Terms and Conditions for Apple Gift Cards and Codes
- Apple: How to redeem your Apple Gift Card, App Store Card, or App Store & iTunes Gift Card
- Apple: Check your Apple Account balance
- Apple: What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance
- Apple: What type of gift card do I have?
- Apple: About gift card scams
My itune gift card code has expired. What can I do to use it without losing the money I paid