A digital gift card is really just a code tied to a fixed dollar (or MAD, or euro) value on a specific platform. Here's the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Find the code

On a digital card, the code usually arrives by email or in a chat. On a physical card, it's under a scratch-off panel on the back.

Step 2: Confirm it matches your account

Check the platform and, if applicable, the region — see our region lock guide if you're not sure what that means for your platform.

Step 3: Redeem it

Every platform has a "Redeem Code" option somewhere in its store menu or account settings — see our platform-specific guides for exact steps on PSN and Steam.

An official iTunes gift card for the US region

Step 4: Spend the balance

Once redeemed, the balance sits in your account's wallet and can be spent like any other payment method on that platform — it doesn't expire in most cases and isn't tied to a single purchase.