How to gift iPhone and iPad apps with iTunes

Apps are a quick and easy gift to give that don't even require you to leave your own home. There are two main ways you can send app gifts to your friends and family, either straight from your iPhone or iPad or from iTunes on your Mac or PC. If you've got a loved one that you know has really been eyeing a particular game or app, you can quickly and easily give the gift of apps in just a few seconds!

How to gift iPhone and iPad apps from iTunes

Launch iTunes on your Mac or PC.
Navigate to the App Store if you aren't there already.
Search for the app you'd like to gift and click on it.
Click on the arrow dropdown next to the button you'd like to download or purchase the app.
Click on gift this app.
Fill out the information required and click Next.
Select the theme you'd like the gift card to be and click Next.
Make sure everything looks right and click Buy Gift.
Enter your iTunes password when prompted to finish the transaction.

How to gift iPhone and iPad apps with iTunes

That's all there is to it! The person you sent the app gift to will receive an email instantly, or on the date you specified, with instructions on how to redeem their gift.

Note: Originally posted, December 2012. Updated, December 2014.

iMore senior editor from 2011 to 2015.

6 Comments

I wish we could choose the date as to when the email will be sent, like the recent (Red) promo by Starbucks and iTunes.
I've been trying to do this but it just wont let me. I think my problem is that the credit i have on my account was thanks to a Gift Card. So i ask, you cant make App Gifting having $$ on your account gotten by Gift cards? Thanks
does this work for people outside the US?/ I have a friend in Australia and I'd like to get some apps for him as a gift..
Sure, you can give/receive outside US, as long as the giver (sender) uses a credit card ( Not a gift card ).
Thanks Ally! Will be very handy...
What happens if you end up giving them something they already own?

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