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On the website it says to click on the name through settings app but I don’t see balance there. What are the ways to access it on iphone and imac
Just buy the app or the song or whatever and it will take from your balance first. I would check your settings to verify this, however.
One way to check your App Store account balance is to open iTunes, select the link to 'iTunes Store' on the pane on the left under 'Store'.
Click your email address in the top right (or click 'sign in' if required), login in and the value account balance, should be shown next to your email address.
Further details are available including a purchase history in the drop down, you should see the credit on the ''Account information' page under 'Apple ID balance'.
Once the balance is in place, you may still see a credit card prompt. Some advice on the Apple support site suggests that you may need to complete a "purchase" of free app, and select "none" for payment type.
To try this - pick an app which is free, click to purchase. You should be prompted for payment details and an extra option should be available to select payment type: 'none'.
If you have balance from the redeemed gift card in place, then I think further app purchases may be possible without being prompted for card details.
Hi all,
Since 12th September, I’ve been trying to buy an iPhone 17 Pro using my Apple Account balance. I have enough balance to purchase the phone; however, every time I try, I get an error saying the payment method is invalid. I’ve also confirmed that I have a valid credit card on my profile, in case verification is required, but it still fails.
I’ve tried different combinations of using my account balance and charging the remainder to my credit card, to no avail. I’ve asked Apple Support about this, but they’ve been unhelpful so far. Each call lasts around two hours, during which I have to explain the issue from the beginning. I keep getting transferred between technical support, sales, billing, and post‑sales teams, without any progress.
Two representatives suggested escalating the issue to a team that could unredeem some of my gift cards so I could try again. The first request was ignored, and when I followed up, nobody seemed aware of it. The second time, I received an email two working days later stating they couldn’t assist with my gift card issue.
On Friday 31st October 2025 they told me to place an order using my credit card and then contact the post‑sales team to change the payment method to my store balance. They asked me to hang up, place the order and call back a few minutes later. I did, but when I called back, another person told me this wasn’t possible. While I was on the phone, the order status changed to “Prepare for shipping” and was unable to cancel it. Another Customer Service representative told me that I’d be able to return it at any store and ask to buy it my Apple Store balance.
On Saturday 1st November 2025 I received the phone and returned it at Apple Store Covent Garden. I asked about paying with my Apple balance and they said it wasn’t possible. Then I headed to the Apple Store in Regent Street where I was told the same.
Since then I have been calling Apple about twice a week and so far they haven’t been able to help.
Decided to call Apple Support on Tuesday 2nd December. I was asked again to submit pictures of three gift cards to be unredeemed. This time I was asked to also write the word ‘UNREDEEME’ on the printouts and select ‘I want to report a gift card scam’ on the request form for the Gift Card team.
Today I received an email from Apple Support saying again they can’t help with my gift card issue.
What should I do? Send them a Letter Before Action and then take them to Small Claims Court?
Basically Apple has robbed me £1300.