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A Starbucks gift card is one of the gifts I’m always happy to get.
I had a few sitting in my wallet before it clicked that I could load them into the Starbucks app.
Once I started doing that, I stopped worrying about carrying them around.
Key takeaways
Adding Starbucks gift card to the app (Step by step)
1. Download the mobile app
I’d had the Starbucks mobile app for a while before I noticed gift cards could be added there.
If you do not already have it, download the app from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone.
Important Reminder: There are two types of Starbucks cards: physical and e-gift (digital) cards. Both cards can be added to the Starbucks app.
2. Create or sign-in to your account
Once the app is installed, sign in to your Starbucks account.
If you do not have one yet, creating an account is quick and lets you earn rewards.
3. Add the card
Once I was signed in, adding the card was the next step.
There are two ways to add the card: through the Cards screen or the Gifts screen.
I usually start with the Cards screen:
Another route is the Gift screen. I’ve also used that path, so the steps below follow it:
What exactly is a Starbucks gift card?
A Starbucks gift card is a prepaid card that can be used as payment for coffee and other products.
I’ve added both physical cards and e-gifts, and once they’re in the app, paying with them is simple.
The card also offers numerous perks to users, such as free refills, no charge for additional syrups, and more.
Can you transfer the balance between Starbucks gift cards?
Yes, you can transfer your gift card balance from one Starbucks card to another.
That is especially handy when I have a few cards floating around and I stop trusting myself to remember the balances.
To move a balance from one card to another, I follow the steps below:
- 1From the Starbucks app, tap Cards from the menu found on the bottom portion of the screen.
- 2On the Cards screen, tap the Details next to the card you want to transfer the balance from.
- 3Next, tap Transfer Balance from the menu. This will open a new window.
- 4Then, type in how much you want to transfer from this card to another card. I suggest you put everything on your primary card. This will allow you to track and manage all your purchases into one card.
- 5Once you’ve chosen the primary card or another card, tap the Transfer button, and you're all set.
- 6Lastly, check your card to see if all the balances are there. Now, you can use this card to pay for all your orders. All you have to do is scan the card.
What to do if the Starbucks app isn’t working
A few common Starbucks app issues show up when I add a card:
Balance not showing on the app
Please wait a few minutes for the balance to show if the gift card has just been added to the app.
If the balance still hasn’t updated after about half an hour, I go to Payment options and tap Manage Starbucks Cards.
From there, I refresh the balance. That has usually pulled the updated amount through, and I’ve used the same approach for transfers.
App not loading
If the app won’t open or load properly, try to completely close out of the app before opening it again.
If that still does nothing, I restart the phone. If the app is still acting up after that, I uninstall it and download it again.
If the app keeps crashing while I’m adding a gift card, this is the first fix I try.
FAQs
Do you have to activate a Starbucks gift card?
No, you do not need to activate a Starbucks gift card. In my experience, it was ready to use as soon as I added it to the app.
How do I add a gift card to Starbucks app without a security code?
You do need the security code to validate the card in the app. I only got the card to validate once I entered it.
Do Starbucks gift cards expire?
No, Starbucks gift cards don’t expire.
Can two people use the same Starbucks card?
No, two people can’t use the same card. In practice, I treat each one as tied to a single account.
Can you buy Starbucks gift cards with the app?
Yes, you can buy Starbucks gift cards in the app. I just make sure the checkout is complete before I expect the card to show up.
Can you add a Visa gift card to the Starbucks app?
In my testing, a Visa gift card could be used to add balance to an existing card, but not as a new card in the app.
Conclusion
Adding a gift card to the Starbucks app is much easier for me than keeping track of another card.
It also keeps everything in the same place I order from, which feels cleaner than juggling separate plastic cards.
I do not end up with stray cards that have a dollar or two left on them and no real chance of getting used.
That’s the main payoff for me.
