What is Apple Account balance and how to use it on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Learn how to add money to your Apple Account balance on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, see the remaining funds, and know everything else about it.

In addition to or instead of adding a payment method like a credit card to your Apple Account, you can also add funds directly to your Apple Account.

You can use your Apple Account (earlier called Apple ID) balance for buying apps, subscriptions, iCloud storage, movies & media from the iTunes Store, and more.

Why use Apple Account balance instead of credit cards or other payment methods

Here are a few examples where this can be helpful:

• The debit card added to my Apple ID was about to expire next month. So, I added money to my Apple Account balance, and now subscriptions and purchases can continue or be made using this.
• Having multiple charges in the bank statement is something I don’t like much. Once I add money to my Apple Account balance, it takes care of everything. No multiple entries in my bank app. Just one transaction of adding funds to Apple Account.
• In some cases, the payment via other methods may fail. But Apple Account balance is super reliable.
• Adding Apple Account balance is one of the best ways to purchase apps, media, and subscriptions if you are in a country like India, where Apple no longer supports adding credit cards or debit cards to Apple Account because of government regulations.
• From time to time, Apple also announces great offers when adding Apple Account balance.

If you think this is something you like, here’s how to get on board.

Note: You cannot convert the Apple Account balance to cash or get it back in your bank account (except in regions required by law).

Add money to your Apple Account balance

You can use the payment method currently linked to your Apple Account to add funds to your Apple Account balance.

Using iPhone or iPad

1. Open the App Store and tap your profile picture from the top.
2. Tap Add Funds to Apple Account or Add Money to Account.
3. Choose a suggested amount or tap Other to enter a custom amount.
4. Use an existing payment method added to your Apple ID and confirm the payment to load the amount to your Apple Account balance.

Note:

• Depending on your country and payment method, you may have to take additional steps to confirm the payment. For instance, if you use UPI in India to load money to your Apple Account balance, you will have to open your UPI app, like Google Pay, enter your PIN, and confirm the payment. In other places, you may have to confirm via bank OTP sent via text message.
• If your iPhone repeatedly keeps asking for your Apple ID password after step 2 even if you enter it correctly, force quit the App Store app and try again. It should work.
• You can add a new payment method to your Apple Account by going to Settings > your name > Payment & Shipping > Add Payment Method. After that, you can add funds to your Apple Account balance using this new method.
• You can also load money to your Apple Account balance by going to the Settings app > your name > Payment & Shipping > Add Funds.

Using Mac or PC

You can use the App Store, Music, or TV app on your Mac to add funds to your Apple Account balance.

1) Open the Mac App Store and click your name from the bottom left.

2) Click Account Settings or View Information from the top right. Authenticate using Touch ID or your Apple ID password when asked.

3) Scroll down to the Account Account section and click Add Money or Add Funds.

4) Choose a shown amount or click Other to enter a desired amount.

5) Hit Next and confirm the payment.

For Music, TV, or iTunes, open it, and from the top menu bar, click Account > Account Settings or View My Account. After that, enter your Apple ID password if asked and then click Add Money or Add Funds.

Automatically top up your Apple Account balance

In supported countries, you can automatically add funds to your Apple Account balance each week, twice a week, or every month. You can also top it up when the Apple ID balance gets low. To do this, while adding Apple ID balance, tap Set Up Auto Reload. If you don’t see this, your country or the added payment method doesn’t support Auto Reload.

You can turn off Apple Account balance Auto Reload by going to the Add Funds screen and clicking Turn Off Auto Reload.

Offers while adding money to Apple Account balance

From time to time, Apple runs promotional campaigns offering you 10% or 20% more money when you add funds to your Apple ID. If you come across such offers in the iPhone settings app or Apple’s promotional emails, you might get some free money!

Apple Account balance and Gift Cards

Your Apple Account balance has the amount you add to it using an accepted payment method on file. It also includes the amount from Apple Gift Cards or App Store & iTunes Gift Cards redeemed by you.

Please note that you cannot buy or send gift cards using your Apple Account balance. You will have to use some other payment method added to your account.

Extra info: In countries where Apple Gift Card is available (United States, Canada, and Australia), you can also use your Apple Account balance to buy at apple.com/store or the Apple Store app.

What to do if you cannot add money to Apple Account balance

• Apple Account balance is not available in all countries. You can check the availability for your region here.
• Depending on which method you are using to load funds, you may have to take extra steps to authenticate the payment.
• If you are unable to add funds to your Apple Account balance, make sure you have sufficient funds in the bank account, card, or the added payment method via which you are trying to top up your Apple Account balance. If needed, learn how to change the Apple ID payment method on iPhone and Mac or PC.
• Make sure you have enabled online spending for the credit card or debit card you are using to load your Apple Account balance.
• In case everything seems ok on the bank or payment method side, make sure you connect to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Turn off the VPN if using one. You may also try disabling iCloud Private Relay.
• If you are still facing difficulties, restart your device. Also, head over to the Apple System Status page and make sure App Store, Apple ID, iCloud Account & Sign In, and Mac App Store have a green dot.
• Finally, if nothing works, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Check your Apple Account balance

You can check the current Apple Account balance right on the screen from where you load the funds. Additionally, you can also use these methods.

On iPhone and iPad

Method 1:

1. Open the App Store and tap your profile picture.
2. Your Apple Account balance should appear below your name if you have it.
3. If you don’t see the balance in step 2, tap your name and authenticate via Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. You will see your Apple Account balance on the next screen. You can also tap Add Funds to Apple Account or Add Money to Account and see your remaining funds on that screen.

Method 2:

1. Open Settings and tap your name from the top.
2. Tap Payment & Shipping.
3. On the top, you will see your remaining Apple Account Balance. Tap it to see it in a bigger font.

On Mac

Your Apple Account balance is tied to your Apple ID and is not device-specific. If you have the same Apple Account on multiple devices, it will show the same amount everywhere. That said, here’s how to see your remaining Apple ID balance on a Mac.

1. Open the macOS App Store, and in the left sidebar, you should see your Apple Account balance under your name. (see the image below)
2. If you don’t see it here, click your name. Next, click Account Settings or View Information and enter your Apple ID password if asked.
3. Scroll down to the Account Account section to know your balance.

What to do if the Apple Account balance isn’t showing?

If you don’t have an Apple Account balance, instead of displaying $0, it may not even show this option. However, if you believe you have some Apple Account balance, but it isn’t showing up, restart your device and follow the steps again. In case restarting doesn’t help, sign out of your Apple ID and sign in again.

What to do if the remaining Apple ID balance is incorrect?

In case you find abnormalities in your Apple Account balance, see your purchase history to know what you bought, how much you were charged, or which subscription was renewed. You may also contact Apple Support for a more satisfactory resolution to your problem.

Plus, if you purchased something by mistake or see a wrong bill, you may request a refund straight from your iPhone or Mac.

Can you use Apple Account balance in Family Sharing?

You cannot use the Apple Account balance in Family Sharing. That is, your Apple Account balance is yours only. Your family member cannot use it.

If you are added to Family Sharing and also have some Apple Account balance, your Apple Account balance will be used when you buy an app, subscription, in-app purchase, etc. If your balance cannot cover the full price, the remaining amount will be charged to the organizer of the Family Sharing.

Note that apps and subscriptions you have purchased using your Apple Account balance can be shared with your Family Members.

Check out next:

• How to download an iPhone app that’s not available in your country (You will have to spend all the Apple Account balance if you want to change your Apple ID country.)
• How to remove your credit card information from your iPhone