Did you buy or receive an Apple gift card only to realize later that you can't redeem it? Ideally, you should be able to purchase books, movies, apps, or games or pay for other Apple products, services, or accessories.

But if you're unable to do so for whatever reason, don't panic just yet. Instead, here are five troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve this issue.

1. Check if It's the Right Gift Card

You can't redeem your Apple gift card if it's the wrong kind. If you have an Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card, you can redeem them in the App Store or iTunes Store. However, if you have an Apple Store Gift Card, you can only use it at a physical or online Apple Store to buy Apple products and accessories.

So, start off by confirming what kind of gift card you have. Know the difference between the various types of gift cards from Apple before you spend your money on one. They are quite different in appearance and function.

2. Enter the Code Manually

While redeeming your gift card, you can capture the code with your camera or enter it manually. If the former doesn't work, try the latter. Be sure to enter the 16-digit redemption code that begins with X instead of a different number on the card.

While entering the code, look over the characters carefully to be sure you're entering the correct ones. Certain characters appear similar, like S and 5, O and 0, or Z and 2.

3. Make Sure the Gift Card Is From the Same Country

You can only redeem Apple gift cards in the country or region where they were purchased; this is probably the case if you see a message saying the card must be redeemed in another storefront.

So if you purchased or received an Apple gift card in the United States, you can't redeem it in the App Store or iTunes Store in Germany.

If you find yourself stuck with an Apple gift card you can't use because you live in a country or region different from where it was purchased, consider buying, selling, or swapping it. But beware of dodgy sites and gift card scams.

4. Log Out of the App Store

Sometimes all you need is an App Store refresh. If you can't redeem your gift card in the App Store, log out of the app and log back in with your Apple account. You can also try the same thing in the iTunes Store on a PC.

5. Contact Apple Support

If none of the other troubleshooting steps worked, contact Apple Support. You might need to provide a full image of the front and back of your gift card, a sales receipt showing when your gift card was purchased, and your gift card's serial number.

Your card's serial number is different from its redemption code. The redemption code is 16 digits and starts with X, while the serial number may begin with GCA, 60, EPY, or PBH and be a few digits more or less than 16. You can find it at the bottom of the card.

Redeem Your Apple Gift Card Without Issues

Try our fixes if you can't redeem your Apple gift card in the App Store or iTunes Store. If none of these works for you, you can try contacting the retailer you bought it from if you got it from a third-party store.

Once you've solved your Apple gift card redemption issue, use your gift card to purchase movies, books, apps, games, Apple subscription services, additional storage, and more.