$25 in my account that I can’t use for in game purchases

Why can't you use it? Read: How apps, content, and subscriptions from Apple are billed - Apple Support

Apple Gift Card and Apple Account balance can't be used for some purchases

• You can't use your Apple Account balance to send gifts or gift cards.

• For some recurring charges, like AppleCare+, you can't start your subscription with Apple Account balance. But as long as you keep another valid payment method on file and your Apple Account balance would cover an entire charge, your recurring charge will pull from your Apple Account balance.*

• Some subscriptions might not be charged to your Apple Account balance.

• If you use Family Sharing, your family members can't spend your Apple Account balance. Funds that you add to your Apple Account balance are available only to you. Learn more about how purchases bill to your Apple Account balance.

• Some purchases might require that you have a credit card on file, even if you use your Apple Account balance to make the purchase.

Normally once funds are in Apple Account balance the only way to get them out again is to spend them. Some possible exceptions are described below.

Laws requiring gift card balance refunds.

From: Check your Apple ID balance - Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support ➔

"About unused Apple ID balance

You can't redeem or return Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, or unused Apple Account balance for cash, except as required by law. If your jurisdiction allows for refund of redeemed gift balances, you can contact Apple Support." Read the support article for more details.

The above excerpt only mentions balances from gift cards as being eligible for refunding, and only in limited places where laws may require that. Read the support article for more details.

There are posts (e.g., https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255051339?answerId=260378733022#260378733022 ) claiming that if funds were transferred from Apple Cash or a bank account, Apple might grant a reversal request to the originating account. This is not mentioned in Apple’s documentation (which, if anything, pretty firmly states the opposite about no “return” of funds), so even if Apple might do this on occasion, they are not so obligated. If you wish to speak with Apple, click here ➔ Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you. This page has telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support Do not use the standard refund request service. You are asking for a special service and need to speak with a live representative.

Hi JustJoe7,

welcome to the Apple (user-to-user) Community!

Re: "$25 in my account that I can’t use for in game purchases"

Sorry to hear you have this situation. We are all Apple users, like yourself, in the community, so no-one here has access to your accounts or details in order to check this out for you. We'd like to help however.

We can not tell from your post which account you put money into to use for in-game purchases.

Eg: Apple account (used to be called Apple ID account) /

or Apple Savings / Apple Pay / Apple Cash /

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Re: "Please advise me how to get my $25. Refunded to my PayPal account"

You can transfer money in Apple Cash to a Bank Account

See how to: Transfer money in Apple Cash to your bank account or debit card - Apple Support

or

Transfer money from Savings to Apple Cash or your external bank account - Apple Support

The way I understand it:

If the money is now an Apple Account Balance it can only be used for purchases from Apple.

Money can only be refunded from an Apple Account if there are purchases that require a refund.

Also:

Some purchases just can not be paid for with an Apple Account Balance.

and

For some purchases Apple requires a debit or credit card is on file,

even if an Apple Account balance is used to pay for the purchase(s).

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Re: I put this $25. In my account thinking I could use it for in game purchases and I am unable to.

Wondering what happens when you try ? Do you get an error message that explains ?

See which payment methods Apple can accept in your country or region:

Payment methods that you can use with your Apple Account - Apple Support

Does your device have screen-time settings, or parental ciontrols,

or other restrictions in place that stop you making your in-app purchases ?

See: Manage App Store purchases, settings, and restrictions on iPhone - Apple Support

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You may want to check out how in-app purchases work:

Buy additional app features with in-app purchases and subscriptions - Apple Support

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If you want to speak with some-one at Apple (online chat / phone / email etc.)

Apple's Billing and Subscriptions Support Website is online (info. / support / contact options etc.)

There is a "Get support = start now" link at the bottom of their web-page:

Subscriptions and Billing - Official Apple Support

All the best :-)

We’re you ever able to make in game purchase or refund your money?