Easily Add Your Apple Store Gift Card to Your Apple Wallet

Have you received an Apple Store Gift Card and want to conveniently use it for your next Apple purchase? Adding it to your Apple Wallet is a smart way to keep your gift card handy, whether you’re shopping online or in-store. While the process should be straightforward, some users encounter hiccups when trying to digitize their physical Apple Store gift cards. This guide will walk you through the steps to successfully add your apple store gift card to your Apple Wallet and troubleshoot common issues you might face.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Your Apple Store Gift Card to Apple Wallet

Digitizing your apple store gift card means you can easily access your balance and make purchases directly from your iPhone or other Apple devices. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Wallet App: Locate the Wallet app on your iPhone’s home screen and tap to open it.

2. Access the “Edit Passes” or “+” Button:

   • For older iOS versions: Scroll down to the very bottom of your cards in the app. You should find an “Edit Passes” button. Tap on it. Then, scroll down again and press the “Scan Code” button.
   • For newer iOS versions: Look for a “+” button, usually located at the top right corner of the Wallet app screen. Tap the “+” button to add a new card or pass.

3. Select “Scan Code”: After tapping “Edit Passes” or the “+”, you will see options to add different types of cards. Choose the option to “Scan Code”. This will activate your iPhone’s camera.

4. Prepare Your Apple Store Gift Card: Locate the QR code on the back of your physical apple store gift card. You may need to scratch off the silver peel-off film to reveal the QR code. Ensure the QR code is clean and clearly visible.

5. Scan the QR Code: Hold your iPhone camera steadily over the QR code on the gift card. Make sure the entire QR code is within the camera frame and is in focus.

6. Wait for Safari Notification: Once the QR code is successfully scanned, a notification banner should appear at the top of your screen. This banner will typically say “Open ‘apple.com’ in Safari”. Tap on this banner.

7. Open in Safari and Add to Wallet: Tapping the notification will open Safari and redirect you to an Apple webpage. This page will display an image of a gray Apple Store gift card and show the remaining balance on your card. In the top right corner of this Safari page, you should see a blue “Add” link. Tap on the “Add” link.

8. Gift Card Added to Wallet: After tapping “Add”, your apple store gift card will be digitally added to your Apple Wallet. You should now see it listed with your other cards and passes in the Wallet app.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Adding Apple Store Gift Cards

While the process is usually smooth, some users encounter issues. Here are common problems and how to solve them:

• “No Pass Available for This Code” Error:

  • Ensure it’s an Apple Store Gift Card: Double-check that you are trying to add an Apple Store Gift Card and not an Apple Pay card or another type of gift card. Apple Wallet distinguishes between these.
  • Scratch off the Protective Film: Make sure you have completely scratched off the silver film covering the QR code on the back of the gift card. The scanner needs to read the QR code underneath.
  • Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Turn your iPhone off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on before trying again.
  • Software Updates: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

• Wallet App Not Scanning the QR Code:

  • Steady Hand and Good Lighting: Keep your hand steady while scanning and ensure you are in a well-lit environment. A blurry or poorly lit scan can fail.
  • Use a Third-Party QR Code Scanner App: If the Wallet app consistently fails to scan, try using a dedicated QR code scanner app from the App Store (like “QR Reader”). Scan the QR code using the third-party app. If it recognizes the code, it might give you an option to “Open URL” which could then direct you to the Apple Wallet add process.
  • Zoom in on a Picture of the QR Code: As a workaround, especially if the small QR code on the physical card is difficult to scan, try taking a clear picture of the QR code using another device. Then, zoom in on the QR code in the picture on that device and try scanning that zoomed-in QR code with your iPhone’s Wallet app.

• Missing “Scan Code” Option in Wallet:

  • Update Wallet App/iOS: Ensure your Wallet app and iOS are updated to the latest versions. The “Scan Code” feature is a standard part of Apple Wallet in recent iOS versions. If you are on a very old iOS, you might need to update.
  • Check Wallet Settings: In your iPhone’s Settings app, go to “Wallet & Apple Pay”. Review the settings to ensure there are no restrictions that might be preventing the “Scan Code” option from appearing.

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to easily add your apple store gift card to your Apple Wallet and enjoy the convenience of digital gift card access for all your Apple purchases.