How to Get Free App Store Credit Before Christmas

Trade a device you already own through Apple Trade In for an Apple Gift Card, then redeem it to your Apple Account balance. That balance pays for apps, subscriptions, and other Apple purchases before Christmas. Apple Account balance means funds tied to your account for Apple content and store purchases.

You trade what you no longer use, add the card value, then spend it during the holidays.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.

Turn a spare device into credit

Apple says Trade In accepts an eligible Apple or third-party device online or in store for credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card, as described on the trade-in page. You can start the process from home or bring the device to a store. Eligibility matters.

Only eligible devices earn credit. Ineligible devices can be recycled free. The choice is store credit or a gift card, so select the gift card if your goal is App Store spending.

How do you add the card to your account?

Apple Support explains that redeeming a 16-digit code in the App Store under account > Redeem Code adds the value to your balance for apps, subscriptions, and other Apple purchases, as shown in the redeeming instructions. Keep the card and code with you until the balance updates. Check the balance before you shop.

If the amount looks wrong, re-enter the code carefully and confirm you used the right account.

• Open the App Store and open your account.
• Choose Redeem Code.
• Enter the 16-digit code and confirm.

What can the balance buy?

Apple's U.S. terms state that cards are issued by Apple Value Services LLC and fund an Associated Balance usable for Apple content and Apple Store products, as listed in the gift-card terms. That covers holiday apps, games, music, movies, and subscriptions tied to your account.

The same terms state the cards are not redeemable for cash. Plan holiday spending around Apple content and store products only. A small trade value still covers a paid app or a month of a subscription.

How do you keep the credit safe?

Apple warns that Apple Gift Cards work only for Apple products and services, so never share back-of-card codes with strangers or use them for bills, taxes, or government fees, as explained in the gift-card safety guidance. Treat the code like cash in your wallet. Do not share the code in those cases.

Contact Apple Support for help if the card was misused.

• A stranger asks for the back-of-card code.
• Someone asks you to pay a bill, tax, or government fee with the card.
• Someone asks you to use the card outside Apple products and services.