The simplest way to add money to your Microsoft account
You add money to your Microsoft account by linking a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account — and then either making a one-time purchase or adding funds to your account balance ahead of time. Microsoft calls this balance your "Microsoft account balance" or sometimes your "wallet". Once the money is there, you can spend it on apps, games, movies, subscriptions, and other content from the Microsoft Store.
The fastest route is to add a card directly during a purchase. When you buy something and choose to pay, Microsoft will ask if you want to save the card for future purchases. If you say yes, that card stays linked to your account and you can use it again without re-entering the details each time.
If you want to load money into your account balance before you shop — so the money sits there waiting — you can buy a Microsoft gift card from a retailer and redeem it, or you can add funds directly through your account settings on a computer or phone.
Key Takeaways
- You can link a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account to your Microsoft account and use it to pay for purchases in the Microsoft Store.
- Adding a payment method during checkout is the quickest way to buy something right away without setting up your account first.
- Microsoft gift cards, sold at most retailers, let you add a specific amount of money to your account balance that you can spend later.
- Once a payment method is linked, Microsoft will ask before charging it again, unless you turn on automatic renewal for a subscription.
Adding a payment method on a Windows computer
Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows computer. In the top right corner, you will see your account icon — it looks like a person's head and shoulders. Click it, then click "Wallet" or "Payment options" (the exact wording depends on your Windows version).
Click "Add a payment method". You will see options for credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Choose the one you want to use. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. If you choose PayPal, you will be sent to PayPal's website to log in and approve the connection.
After you add the method, Microsoft will ask if you want to make it your default payment method — the one it uses automatically when you buy something. You can change this later, so choose whatever makes sense for now. Click "Save" or "Done" to finish.
Adding a payment method on your phone
Open the Microsoft Store app on your iPhone or Android phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then tap your account name or "Account".
Tap "Payment options" or "Wallet". Tap "Add a payment method". Enter your card details or choose PayPal. The steps are the same as on a computer, but the layout is arranged for a phone screen.
If you do not see a Microsoft Store app on your phone, you can also add a payment method through your web browser. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Payment & billing" or "Wallet" in the left menu.
Redeeming a Microsoft gift card
Microsoft gift cards are sold at most grocery stores, drugstores, and electronics retailers. They come in different amounts — typically $10, $25, $50, and $100. When you buy one, you receive a code printed on the card or in an email.
To redeem the code, open the Microsoft Store app and click your account icon in the top right (on a computer) or tap the menu and your account name (on a phone). Look for "Redeem a code" or "Redeem gift card". Enter the code exactly as it appears — it is usually a long string of letters and numbers — and click "Redeem".
The money will be added to your Microsoft account balance when ready. You can then spend it on anything in the Microsoft Store without entering a payment method each time. If you have both a balance and a linked card, Microsoft will use your balance first, then charge the card for anything that costs more than your remaining balance.
What happens when you make a purchase
When you buy something in the Microsoft Store, Microsoft will show you the price and ask how you want to pay. If you have a balance, it will offer to use that first. If you have a linked payment method, it will offer to charge that. You can choose which one to use, or you can add a new payment method right then.
Microsoft will send you a receipt by email after the purchase goes through. Keep this receipt in case you need to return something or dispute a charge. Most purchases in the Microsoft Store can be returned within 60 days if you have not downloaded or used them yet.
If you set up automatic renewal for a subscription — like Microsoft 365 or Xbox Game Pass — Microsoft will charge your payment method on the renewal date without asking again. You can turn off automatic renewal in your account settings at any time, and the charges will stop after your current subscription period ends.
Removing or changing a payment method
If you want to stop using a card or PayPal account, go back to your payment options in the Microsoft Store app or on account.microsoft.com. Find the payment method you want to remove and click or tap the delete or remove button next to it.
You can remove a payment method at any time, but if you have an active subscription set to renew on that card, you will need to add a different payment method first or turn off automatic renewal. Microsoft will not let you remove your only payment method if something is scheduled to charge.
If you want to change which payment method is your default, go to your payment options and look for a "Make default" or "Set as primary" button next to the method you want to use. This is the card or account Microsoft will try to charge first when you make a purchase.
Troubleshooting payment problems
If your payment method is declined, the most common reasons are: the card has expired, the card issuer blocked the charge as suspicious, the billing address does not match what your bank has on file, or there are not enough funds. Check your card's expiration date first. If that is fine, contact your bank or card issuer to ask if they blocked the charge.
If you see a charge you did not make, check your purchase history in your Microsoft account. Go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and look for "Order history" or "Purchase history". If you see something you did not buy, you can request a refund or dispute the charge through your payment method's customer service.
If the Microsoft Store app will not let you add a payment method, try signing out and signing back in. If that does not work, try using a web browser instead of the app — sometimes one works when the other does not. Make sure you are using the correct Microsoft account (the email address you use to sign in) and that your account is not restricted by parental controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?
Yes. Debit cards work the same way as credit cards in the Microsoft Store. Enter the card number, expiration date, and security code just as you would for a credit card. The money will be taken from your bank account when ready when you make a purchase.
Is it safe to save my card information to my Microsoft account?
Microsoft encrypts your card information and stores it on find servers. You do not have to save your card — you can enter it fresh each time you buy something. If you do save it, you can delete it from your account settings whenever you want.
What if I buy a gift card for someone else?
You can give someone the code from a Microsoft gift card, and they can redeem it on their own Microsoft account. The money will go into their account balance, not yours. You do not need their email address or password — just the code on the card.
Can I transfer money from my Microsoft account balance to someone else?
No. Your account balance can only be spent on purchases in the Microsoft Store. You cannot send it to another person or convert it back to cash. If you want to give someone money to spend, buy a Microsoft gift card and give them the code instead.
What happens to my account balance if I do not use it?
Your Microsoft account balance does not expire. The money will stay in your account indefinitely until you spend it. There are no fees for keeping a balance, and Microsoft will not charge you for having money sitting there unused.