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For me, the nicest part of a Starbucks gift card is when it lands in someone’s text thread before they have time to overthink coffee. I like sending them that way because it feels quick and a little more personal than forwarding an email.
Starbucks does make it possible to send gift cards to friends and family by text.
This is the workflow I use when I want the gift card sent without a lot of extra steps.
How to correctly send a Starbucks gift card through text
If I want to skip a physical card, sending it through the messaging app is the simplest workaround I’ve used.
Once I know where the gift card option lives, the rest goes quickly.
- 1On your device, download the Starbucks app if you haven’t already. You can find the Starbucks mobile app at the App Store for iPhones or the Google Play Store for an Android device.
- 2Once the app is downloaded, create a Starbucks account and follow the steps to log in. By doing this, you'll also be able to start earning Starbucks Stars and rewards for free coffee.
- 3Next, go to your phone's messaging app and either open an existing conversation or start a new one. You'll have to select just one recipient, as you can't send gift cards in group texts.
- 4With the messages app open to the person you’d like to gift, access the Applications toolbar by tapping the app icon directly next to the text box.
- 5In the toolbar, you should be able to find the Starbucks Gifts icon immediately. If it’s not displayed, you may have to tap the three-dot icon to show more apps.
- 6Select the icon and choose from the different Starbucks gift card designs available for various occasions and different seasons. For more design options, simply scroll up or down to find everything from a ‘Happy Birthday’ to a ‘Thinking of You’ gift card design.
- 7Once you’ve landed on a design, choose your e-gift amount from $5 to $25. Hit the ‘Buy’ button and confirm your payment method with Face ID, Touch ID, or by inputting your phone’s passcode. The amount will be taken from the credit or debit card linked to your Starbucks account.
- 8The message icon allows you to add a personal message along with your Starbucks egift, so feel free to do so if the occasion calls for it.
- 9Now that your gift card is sent, the recipient will receive a text message within a few minutes. The payment will read as "STARBUCKS CARD EGIFT" on your monthly statement, and you can check the details in an email sent from the company.
Tips for sending Starbucks gift cards gor Android users
It is currently not possible for Android users to send a Starbucks egift card via text. However, you can send it as a URL link via email.
If I do not want to send the gift card by email, I email it to myself first, open the link, and send the recipient a screenshot of the card instead. It is a little clunky, but it works when I want a fast backup.
Tips for sending Starbucks gift cards for iPhone users
On iPhone, sending a Starbucks eGift card through iMessage is the smoothest version of the process I’ve used.
If you have the Starbucks app installed and you are signed in, the Starbucks Gifts icon may appear in the iMessage toolbar on iPhone.
How do you redeem a Starbucks gift card sent via text?
From what I’ve seen on iPhone and iPad, redemption feels fairly straightforward because the message opens into Apple’s usual handoff flow.
Once you send the gift card to an Apple user, that person will receive a text message with a button saying, ‘Tap to use this card.’
In my testing, tapping the message took me into the Starbucks redemption flow, and when the app was not installed, it could send me to the App Store instead.
Starbucks eGift cards sent to Androids must be redeemed by clicking a link. Once the link is selected, the gift card will appear on a web browser to be redeemed.
How to send a Starbucks gift card via email
If you want to send the card by email instead, the two common routes are the Starbucks app and Amazon.
The app method
My usual path in the app is to choose the amount, pick a design, add the recipient, and double-check everything before sending.
- The gift card message
- The gift card amount
- The payment method
- The recipient's email address
The Amazon method
To send via Amazon, you simply need to:
- Purchase a Starbucks gift card
- Select a card design
- Select email delivery
- Select the amount
- Enter recipient's email address
- Choose date/time for electronic delivery
Once the order is processed, the recipient will receive an email with a bar code as well as a URL linking to the gift card. Thats it!
Can I send a gift card in the Starbucks app?
You can send a gift card in the Starbucks app by opening the gift card flow and following the prompts.
FAQs
Can I send Starbucks gift cards through their website?
You can also send an e-gift card through the Starbucks website. Starbucks.com/gift opens the form, which is handy if you are already in a browser.
Can you send gift cards via iMessage to an Android user?
You can send a Starbucks gift card via iMessage to an Android user. On the recipient’s side, the message usually shows a link to the e-gift rather than the card itself.
Are text gift cards from Starbucks safe?
I treat text gift cards the same way I treat any other Starbucks gift card: I check the details before sending, but the process itself was straightforward when I used it.
What can I use a Starbucks gift card for?
A Starbucks gift card can usually be used on drinks, food, mugs, and other store purchases, though availability can vary by location.
How can I add money to a Starbucks gift card?
You can add money to a gift card in a few different ways, including visiting a Starbucks location, using the Starbucks mobile app, or reloading directly on the website.
How many times can I use a Starbucks gift card?
You can keep using a Starbucks gift card as long as there is still a balance on it. When mine gets low, I usually reload it instead of starting over with a new card.
