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ryanb19
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iPhone trade-in credit not refunded to Apple Account balance

I placed an order for an unlocked iPhone 18 Pro Max for a total of around ~$1,400 of which I paid for using money from my Apple Account (aka gift card) not a credit card. On the order I also included a trade in which was a iPhone 16 + which had a trade in value of $430. This order was for pickup and the Apple Store and also precessing the trade in there as well.


On Friday I went to the store did the transaction, trade in was accepted at the full amount and the rep had me choose a credit card in my apple watch to refund the $430 to. Didn't think anything of it when I left.


Next morning I wake up to an email that the trade in credit was cancelled from my credit card. After looking around it seems the in store rep should have given me a gift card to apply back to my account since that was the original source of payment.


How can I go about getting my trade in credit? I have an email clearly showing it was brought in etc.

Posted on Nov 8, 2026 10:03 AM

3 replies

Mac Jim ID
User level: Level 10 (105,996 points)

Nov 8, 2026 12:45 PM in response to ryanb19

You should have seen that $430 applied to your Apple Account balance if that is what you used to pay for the iPhone. I assume you had previously redeemed the Gift Cards to your Account balance. Any refund to your Apple Account balance takes 1 or 2 days before it would appear.


  • When you pay in part or in full with Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance, your credit will be applied to that gift card or balance (up to the amount paid with each) before any credit is applied to your credit/debit card.

https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in


If you don't see it in your Apple Account balance by Monday, I would also be returning to that Apple Store with the documentation that you have.


sberman
User level: Level 10 (280,982 points)

Nov 8, 2026 12:28 PM in response to ryanb19

If it were me, I would return to the Apple Store where the transactions were performed and get it settled there.

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Nov 8, 2026 12:39 PM in response to ryanb19

Concur w/ sberman’s recommendation on the best way forward.


My suspicion is that it was inadvertently processed as a “refund” to your credit card against a “charge” which never occurred.


I’m confident that in-store personnel can get it all sorted-out for you in short order.


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256390890