If you want to make purchases or update apps, including free apps, you need to -> update your payment method or add a new one.
If you don't have any cards, you can also use your Apple ID balance as payment method: Add money to your Apple ID balance
Add money to your Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)
See -> The gift card for everything Apple -> Apple Gift Card - Apple
This 'universal' gift card was launched in the US at the end of July 2020.
Since June 29, 2022, a number of European countries have been added, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands.
(on macOS) Click Add money -> iTunes Store opens in iTunes.
See also: App Store & iTunes gift card: Apple Gift Card - Apple (UK)
Where to buy a physical Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card:
Actually, you can buy an Apple gift card at many places, it depends of course on where you live.
At an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Reseller in your region certainly, but also at a good bookstore, supermarket and/or drugstore.
What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple ID balance
What you can buy with your Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance – Apple Support (UK)
How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card
How to redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes gift card – Apple Support (UK)
When redeeming a gift card, (1) the amount will be credited to your Apple ID balance and (2) then you need to set your Apple ID balance as your default payment.
(1) See -> Check your Apple ID balance
Check your Apple ID balance – Apple Support (UK)
(2) See -> Change, add or remove Apple ID payment methods
Change, add or remove Apple ID payment methods – Apple Support (UK)
If you update your payment method or add funds to your Apple ID balance, It would take about 1 to 3 business days in order to process.
If you're still unable to update your payment method, Contact Apple Support.
Read also ⤵️
Terms and Conditions for Apple Gift Cards and Codes, Apple Account Associated Balance, and Content Codes
Legal - iTunes Gift Cards and Codes - Apple
If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card
If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support
- You can't redeem Apple Gift Cards or App Store & iTunes Gift Cards outside the country or region of purchase. For example, if you bought an App Store & iTunes Gift Card in France, you can't redeem it in the App Store in the United States.
❗️Beware of -> About Gift Card Scams
About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support
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