When making purchases from Apple, it’s helpful to understand how your payment methods are charged, especially concerning your Apple Gift Card Balance, often referred to as your Apple Account balance. Apple has a specific order in which they attempt to use your available funds when you buy apps, content, or subscriptions.
Firstly, Apple will always try to utilize your Apple Account balance to cover the full cost of your purchase. Think of this balance as funds you’ve added to your Apple ID, often through redeeming Apple Gift Cards. This is the first payment method Apple checks.
If your Apple Account balance doesn’t have enough funds to cover the entire purchase, or if you don’t have a balance at all, Apple will then attempt to charge your primary payment method. This is the payment card you’ve designated as the top choice in your iPhone settings. You have control over which payment method is listed as primary and can adjust this in your settings.
Should there be an issue with your primary payment method, or if it can’t cover the remaining balance after using your Apple Account balance, Apple will proceed to charge your other payment methods in the order they are listed in your settings. They will attempt to charge each one from top to bottom until a payment method works. If none of your payment methods can be successfully charged, Apple might retry the process later.
It’s important to note a few exceptions regarding your Apple Account balance. If you are part of a Family Sharing group, your purchases are initially charged to your personal Apple Account balance. If you lack sufficient balance, and if purchase sharing is enabled, the remaining amount will be charged to the family organizer’s payment method. However, you cannot use your Apple Account balance to purchase gifts or Apple Gift Cards. Additionally, some subscriptions might have specific billing arrangements and may not be charged to your Apple Account balance.
If you encounter any issues with how your Apple Gift Card balance or other payment methods are being charged, and it doesn’t align with the process described above, it’s recommended to contact Apple Support directly. They can investigate your specific situation and provide tailored assistance. You can easily reach them through the Contact Apple Support page.
