We’ve all been there: you’re scrolling through your wallet, looking for your favorite gift card to use at the coffee shop, and—surprise!—it’s nowhere to be found. Did it fall behind the seat of your car? Did it get eaten by your laundry machine? Who knows! But, what if we told you there was a way to keep all those gift cards in one convenient place, right on your phone? Enter: Apple Wallet.
Not only does Apple Wallet store your boarding passes, concert tickets, and digital credit cards, but now you can add your gift cards too. No more frantic searching in your wallet or trying to remember if you ever even got that Starbucks gift card last Christmas (spoiler alert: you did, but it’s hiding somewhere).
Ready to learn how to add those beloved gift cards to your Apple Wallet? Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Make Sure You Have an Apple Device (It’s Kind of Important)
Before you do anything, you need to make sure you’re using an Apple device. If you’re reading this on an Android phone, I hate to break it to you, but this party is for Apple users only. Don’t worry though, I’m sure there’s a very helpful guide somewhere for your device—probably with fewer emojis and more technical jargon. 😉
So, go ahead and make sure you have an iPhone or Apple Watch that’s running iOS 6 or later. Don’t worry, that’s almost every Apple device ever. Even your old iPhone 6 from the bottom of your drawer should work.
Step 2: Open the Wallet App (Or Realize You’ve Never Used It Before)
Now that you’re holding your shiny Apple device in your hand, locate the Wallet app. It’s typically a default app that comes preinstalled on your device, so it should be somewhere on your home screen. If you’re struggling to find it (and we’re not judging you), just swipe down on the screen and type in “Wallet” in the search bar. It’s that simple!
Now, open the Wallet app. If you’ve never used it before, don’t worry, it’s just like learning to ride a bike…except you’re not going to fall on your face. Unless you try to multitask and walk while navigating through this, in which case…we can’t promise you won’t trip.
Step 3: Look for the Option to Add a Gift Card
Next, you’ll see a “+” symbol or an option that says “Add Card” in your Wallet app. Tap that, and you’ll be greeted with a menu that will ask you to choose what kind of card you’d like to add. Here’s where the magic happens.
Pro tip: You might see options for credit cards, debit cards, or loyalty cards here. But let’s focus on gift cards—the sweet, sweet tokens of appreciation you receive on your birthday (or from Aunt Janet, who clearly doesn’t know you that well but tried her best).
Step 4: Scan Your Gift Card (Or Manually Enter the Info)
Now comes the fun part: scanning the gift card.
- Use the Camera to Scan It – If you have a physical gift card in your hand, get ready to use your iPhone’s camera to scan the card’s barcode. Apple Wallet is super smart, so it will automatically detect and scan the barcode for you. Magic!Real-Life Example: Picture this—you’re at your favorite coffee shop, about to pay with your $50 gift card, and the cashier gives you that look. The “I’ve seen you pull this card out of your wallet a thousand times” look. No worries, just scan it right into your Apple Wallet, and voila, no more embarrassing moments!
- Manually Enter the Card Info – If the card doesn’t have a barcode or your scanning skills are less than stellar, don’t panic. You can manually enter the card number and other details. Just follow the on-screen instructions and input the information as prompted.
Step 5: Confirm the Card and Save It
Once the card is scanned (or typed in), Apple Wallet will display a preview of your card. Take a moment to double-check that all the info looks correct—because no one wants to get to the register only to discover their card balance is significantly lower than expected.
If everything looks good, hit the “Add” button, and your gift card will be safely stored in your Apple Wallet. You’ll now have access to it at any time, no more rummaging around like a frantic raccoon.
Step 6: Use Your Gift Card in Apple Wallet
Now comes the most satisfying part: using your gift card. You can use it at participating stores just like you would with any other credit or debit card stored in Apple Wallet. Simply open the Wallet app, select the gift card, and hold your phone near the payment terminal.
Some stores, like Starbucks, will allow you to scan your barcode directly from the app. Others may require you to use Apple Pay, which can automatically apply your gift card balance when you check out.
Real-Life Example: You’re in line at your favorite coffee shop, and you know you’re getting a peppermint mocha (because it’s always peppermint mocha season). You pull out your phone like a true pro and scan the barcode, all while the person behind you is fumbling with their wallet and paper coupons. You feel like a wizard.
Step 7: Keep Your Gift Card Updated (And Add More!)
You can add as many gift cards as your heart desires. So, if you get a fresh batch of gift cards from your birthday, holidays, or that weird office Secret Santa exchange (who even gave you that 10% off coupon to a store you’ve never heard of?), just repeat the steps above to keep them all in your Wallet.
Apple Wallet will also automatically update your gift card balance whenever you use it—so no more wondering, “Did I spend all of that Target gift card on impulse buys… or did I still have some left for that massive jar of pickles?” (It’s a valid question.)
Final Thoughts
Adding gift cards to Apple Wallet is like giving your gift cards a luxurious home. It keeps them organized, safe, and easy to access whenever you need them (or just want to show off your high-tech payment skills at the checkout counter).
And the best part? No more scrambling in your purse or wallet. No more gift cards mysteriously vanishing into thin air. Just scan, add, and go!
Now, go forth and become the master of digital gift card management. Happy shopping!
