TL;DR
Apple Gift Cards can be redeemed for App Store purchases, Apple Store purchases and Apple’s subscription services, including Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+ and iCloud+. The cards apply to individual services or to Apple One bundles; once the card balance is exhausted your regular payment method will be charged unless you cancel.
What happened
Apple Gift Cards received during the holidays can be used across Apple’s storefronts and subscription lineup, offering a low-friction way to sample the company’s services. The major services called out include Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Fitness+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+ and iCloud+ — each with published monthly prices and feature sets. Gift card funds are applied to subscription payments first; when the balance is depleted, the account’s default payment method is billed. For customers who use several Apple services, the Apple One bundle is presented as a cost-saving alternative: Individual, Family and Premier tiers combine multiple services and offer monthly savings versus subscribing to each service separately. The article also highlights recent and upcoming content and feature changes — Apple TV’s growing catalog and upcoming F1 and MLS access, new Apple Arcade game additions, and the relevance of Apple Fitness+ for New Year fitness goals.
Why it matters
- Gift cards let users try paid Apple services without immediately charging their stored payment method.
- Apple One bundles can reduce monthly costs if you already subscribe to multiple Apple services.
- Apple TV’s expanding content (including sports additions) increases the service’s appeal to new subscribers.
- Apple Arcade provides a curated, ad-free games library without in-app purchases, useful for families.
Key facts
- Apple Gift Cards can be used for App Store purchases, Apple Store purchases and Apple services.
- Apple Music price listed at $10.99 per month with access to over 100 million songs.
- Apple TV price listed at $12.99 per month and includes TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso and Severance.
- Apple Fitness+ is $9.99 per month and offers video workouts across multiple workout types.
- Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month and features 200+ games without ads or in-app purchases.
- Apple News+ listed at $12.99 per month.
- iCloud+ tiers and prices: $0.99/month (50GB), $2.99/month (200GB), $9.99/month (2TB) and includes features such as Private Relay and Custom Email Domain.
- Apple One bundles: Individual $19.95 (Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud+ 50GB); Family $25.95 (shared, iCloud+ 200GB); Premier $37.95 (adds Fitness+, News+, iCloud+ 2TB) with stated monthly savings over separate subscriptions.
- Gift card balance is used first for subscriptions; when it runs out the default payment method will be charged and subscriptions should be canceled before renewal if you want to avoid charges.
What to watch next
- How Apple TV integrates F1 and MLS access next year and whether that affects subscription uptake — the source says these will be added at no extra cost.
- How long a typical gift card balance will cover specific subscriptions before the account’s payment method is charged — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Apple continues to expand Apple Arcade’s catalog with more high-profile titles and how frequently new games are added.
Quick glossary
- Apple Gift Card: A prepaid balance that can be redeemed for purchases on Apple platforms, including apps, hardware and subscription services.
- Apple One: A bundle that packages multiple Apple subscription services together at a single monthly price to provide savings compared with subscribing separately.
- iCloud+: Apple’s paid cloud-storage offering that also includes features such as Private Relay, custom email domain support and HomeKit Secure Video.
- Apple Arcade: A subscription service providing access to a catalog of games without ads or in-app purchases.
Reader FAQ
Can Apple Gift Cards be used to pay for Apple subscriptions?
Yes. Gift card balance is applied to App Store and Apple service subscriptions; when the balance is exhausted your normal payment method is charged.
Does Apple One include multiple services?
Yes. Apple One bundles several services (Individual, Family and Premier tiers) and the source lists the services and monthly prices for each tier.
Will Apple TV carry sports content?
The article says Apple TV is adding access to F1 and MLS matches next year at no additional cost.
How do I avoid being charged after a gift card runs out?
You must cancel your subscription before it renews if you do not want your regular payment method charged — the article recommends doing this.
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Sources
- An Apple Gift Card is the easiest way to try Apple’s best services
- An Apple Gift Card is the easiest way to try Apple's best …
- Apple Gift Card
- Found an Apple Gift Card Under the Tree? Here's How to …
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