US App Store Apple ID Payment Options

A US (or other non-mainland) Apple ID lets you download apps not available in the China store, but paid apps require a valid payment method. Without a US PayPal or US-issued Visa, Apple gift cards are the practical option. Here’s the workflow.

Gift cards are region-locked

Because gift cards are tied to regions, they cannot be used across stores. If you want to fund a US account, you must buy the card from Apple’s US store.

Buying a gift card

• Visit the US Apple Store and follow the steps. The purchaser and recipient can both be you.

• Apple requires a minimum of USD 10; the current range is USD 10–2,000.

• Visa works for payment, and Apple does not validate the issuing country for this flow.

  

• The phone number can be a fake entry or your Google Voice number.

• Delivery is not instant; expect the email within an hour. My recent orders arrived in about ten minutes.

  

Redeeming the card

When the email titled xxx sent you an Apple Gift Card arrives, open the App Store and redeem it.

After the redemption confirmation, purchases will automatically draw from the balance.

Hong Kong Apple ID + Hang Seng debit card?

I also hold a Citic Hong Kong card and hoped it could fund my Hong Kong Apple ID. Turns out Hong Kong Apple IDs only accept credit cards, not stored-value/debit cards, so that path is closed. Gift cards remain the workaround.

Tax-free purchases

If your account is tied to a taxable state, you will still be charged tax. To avoid it, you must change the region, but only when your balance is zero. If you have only a small amount left, contact support and ask them to clear it.

Final Thoughts

Gift cards aren’t perfect, but they’re simple and effective for solving US App Store payments, freeing you from the “free apps only” restriction.