Where to find your Apple Account balance

Your Apple Account balance is the money you have stored with Apple that you can spend on apps, music, books, subscriptions, and in-app purchases. You can check this balance on any device where you are signed into your Apple ID — iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the web.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, then tap Media & Purchases. You will see your account balance displayed under your name. If you do not see a balance listed, it means you have no stored credit on your account.

On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your Apple ID in the sidebar, then select Media & Purchases. Your balance appears in the same location as on iPhone and iPad.

Checking your balance on the web

You can also check your balance by visiting appleid.apple.com in any web browser. Sign in with your Apple ID and password, then click Media & Purchases in the left sidebar. Your current balance displays at the top of the page.

This method works from any computer, even if it is not an Apple device. You do not need to own an iPhone or Mac to see your balance — only an active Apple ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple Account balance is money stored with Apple that you can spend on apps, music, books, and subscriptions across any Apple device.
  • On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, check your balance in Settings or System Settings under your Apple ID name, then Media & Purchases.
  • You can check your balance on the web at appleid.apple.com without owning an Apple device, as long as you have your Apple ID password.
  • A zero balance means you have no stored credit, and purchases will charge to your linked payment method instead.

How your balance gets used when you make a purchase

When you buy something from the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Books, or any other Apple service, the system automatically uses your account balance first. If your balance is not enough to cover the full purchase, Apple charges the difference to your linked payment method — usually a credit card, debit card, or phone bill.

You cannot choose to use your payment method instead of your balance. Apple always draws from the balance first. This means if you have even one dollar stored, it will be applied to your next purchase.

Where your account balance comes from

Your Apple Account balance grows when you add money to it yourself, receive a gift card, or get a refund from Apple. The most common way is to redeem an Apple Gift Card, which you can buy at retailers or receive as a gift.

When you redeem a gift card, the full amount is added to your balance when ready. You can also add money directly through Settings on your device by tapping Add Funds to Apple Account, though this option is not available in all countries.

Refunds from Apple — for example, if you return an app or cancel a subscription mid-cycle — are credited back to your account balance, not to your original payment method. This is why checking your balance regularly can reveal refunds you may have forgotten about.

Viewing your purchase history and recent charges

To see what you have spent and what charged to your account, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases on iPhone or iPad. Tap View Account, then scroll down to Purchase History. You will see a list of recent purchases with dates and amounts.

On the web at appleid.apple.com, click Media & Purchases, then scroll to Purchase History. The same list appears there. You can filter by date range or search for a specific purchase if you remember part of the name.

If you see a charge you do not recognize, you can report it to Apple through the same Purchase History page. Apple can refund unauthorized purchases and help you find your account if it has been compromised.

Managing your payment methods and settings

Your Apple Account balance is separate from your payment methods, but they work together. You can view and change your linked payment methods in the same Media & Purchases section where you check your balance.

On iPhone or iPad, tap View Account under Media & Purchases, then tap Payment Method. You can add a new card, remove an old one, or change which card is your default. On the web, the same options appear under Payment Method in your account settings.

If you want to avoid unexpected charges, you can remove all payment methods and rely only on your account balance. This means you can only make purchases when you have stored credit. Some parents do this for their children's accounts to control spending.

Troubleshooting balance display problems

If your balance does not appear or shows an error, the most common fix is to sign out and sign back in. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out. Then sign back in with your Apple ID.

If the balance still does not display after signing back in, try restarting your device. Restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on. On Mac, use the Apple menu and select Restart.

If you still cannot see your balance after restarting, your account may have a restriction or a security issue. Visit appleid.apple.com and check whether your account needs attention — Apple will display a message if something is wrong. You can also contact Apple Support through the same website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Apple Account balance to someone else?

No, your balance is tied to your Apple ID and cannot be transferred, gifted, or shared with another account. If you want to give someone money to spend on Apple services, you must buy them an Apple Gift Card instead, which they can redeem to their own account.

What happens to my balance if I close my Apple ID?

If you delete your Apple ID, any remaining balance is forfeited and cannot be recovered. Before closing your account, spend your balance or contact Apple Support to discuss your options.

Does my Apple Account balance expire?

No, your balance does not expire. It remains on your account indefinitely until you spend it or close your Apple ID. There is no time limit for using stored credit.

Why does my balance show on one device but not another?

Your balance is the same across all devices, but it may take a few minutes to sync if you just added funds or made a purchase. If it still does not match after an hour, sign out and sign back in on the device showing the wrong amount.

Can I see my balance on a shared family account?

Each person in a Family Sharing group has their own separate Apple ID and their own balance. You can only see your own balance, not other family members'. Parents can set up Screen Time to monitor their children's spending, but not to view their exact balance.