iTunes asking for bank card despite gift card balance

Bought new headphones and got a £60 gift card on Black Friday deal have redeemed it on iTunes but when I went to use it for music it asks for bank card and not taking it from gift card

iPhone 16 Plus, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 6:58 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 12:21 PM

Superdogs4 wrote:

Bought new headphones and got a £60 gift card on Black Friday deal have redeemed it on iTunes but when I went to use it for music it asks for bank card and not taking it from gift card

Apple can require a valid payment method for verification purposes. If this is the case, you should be able to use it after you've added the bank card for verification (it may be charged a small amount to verify it but this will be automatically refunded). Try adding a bank card to your account, make sure that your Apple Account balance is the primary payment method, and they try the purchase again.


Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you need to change or update your Apple Account payment method - Apple Support

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 14, 2025 12:21 PM in response to Superdogs4

Superdogs4 wrote:

Bought new headphones and got a £60 gift card on Black Friday deal have redeemed it on iTunes but when I went to use it for music it asks for bank card and not taking it from gift card

Apple can require a valid payment method for verification purposes. If this is the case, you should be able to use it after you've added the bank card for verification (it may be charged a small amount to verify it but this will be automatically refunded). Try adding a bank card to your account, make sure that your Apple Account balance is the primary payment method, and they try the purchase again.


Add a payment method to your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you need to change or update your Apple Account payment method - Apple Support

iTunes asking for bank card despite gift card balance

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