Redeem App Store & iTunes Gift Cards Using a Computer Camera

One of the better little feature of iTunes 11 is the addition of a new ability that lets you redeem gift cards for the App Store and iTunes Store using nothing but the built-in camera of a computer. This is much better than typing in the random numbers which is fairly easy to mess up, and using this great new feature is super simple:

• Launch iTunes and choose the “Redeem” link as usual, login to your Apple account when requested
• Click the “Use Camera” button instead of inputting codes into the text below
• Hold the gift card steady with the code visible, and let iTunes redeem the card

The gift card balance will be transferred to the iTunes/App Store Account used, and yes it works on accounts made without credit cards on file.

You’ll notice the little message below says “This requires a gift card with a box around the code”, but that’s not entirely true…

Redeeming Older iTunes Gift Cards Without the Code Box

The older style iTunes gift cards without the code box are still out there in abundance at stores and the hands of consumers, but they aren’t recognized by the Camera Redeemer on their own. Thankfully, reader Yanni P. wrote in to tell us us this handy trick to use with traditional iTunes gift cards: scratch off the silver backing as usual, then use a black sharpie pen to draw a square box around the code.

Now hold that up to the Redeem feature in iTunes 11, and it will be instantly recognized and redeemed. Nice!

iTunes 11 or later is required for this feature, if you’re holding off on the update exclusively because the interface is unusual, don’t miss these tips to make iTunes look normal again.

I’d assume this handy camera redeemer feature will show up in the iOS App Store soon too, but in the meantime you’ll have to keep redeeming the codes by entering them in manually with the iTunes or App Store apps on an iPhone or iPad.