December 26, 2010

How to Redeem iTunes Gift Cards and Certificates

To redeem an iTunes Gift Card or Gift Certificate, click the Redeem link in iTunes, enter the code on the card or certificate into the Redeem Code box on the page, and click the Redeem button. On your computer, Redeem is the first link in the Quick Links section located in the right-hand column on the main iTunes page. On iPhone and iPod touch you'll find a Redeem button at the bottom of the New Releases and Genres lists in Music, and on iPad it's at the bottom of all three lists -- Featured, Top Ten, Genius -- in Music, Movies, and TV Shows.

If you already have an Apple ID, you'll be able to log in and the money will be credited to your account, or if the code is for a specific item it'll download directly to your library. If you don't have an Apple ID you'll be given a chance to create one (you only need an email address), which you can either associate with a payment method (credit card or PayPal) or with none at all, as you choose. If your gift was delivered to you directly in email, you can redeem it by clicking the link in the message. Again, you'll have the opportunity to log in if you already have an Apple ID or create one if you don't.

December 13, 2010

Shop for the Holidays On the iTunes Store

Using your computer to shop for gifts on the iTunes Store is simple and direct. If you click the triangle next to most Buy buttons in the store, you'll find a Gift This option. Selecting it takes you to the Give a Gift page where you can choose how you want the gift to be delivered -- email or via a gift certificate you print and mail yourself -- and then complete the purchase. If you choose the email option you can give the same item to more than one recipient at once by entering multiple email addresses separated by commas. Gifts can be redeemed on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches as well as computers.