Apple does not accept M-Pesa, and Apple does not sell gift cards for Kenya. That leaves many Kenyan iPhone users stuck: their bank card is declined on the App Store, and there is no local card to top up with. The fix most people use is an Apple Account set to the United States, topped up with a US Apple Gift Card bought with M-Pesa. This guide shows how to set that up and how to avoid the error that stops codes working.

The short answer

Create an Apple Account with United States as the country, or switch an existing account to the US.
Buy a US Apple Gift Card in Kenya and pay with M-Pesa.
Redeem it in the App Store: the dollars become your Apple Account balance.
Spend the balance on apps, iCloud+, Apple Music, subscriptions and in-app purchases.

The rule that matters: card country = account country

An Apple Gift Card only works on an Apple Account set to the same country as the card. A US card will not redeem on an account set to Kenya, the UK or anywhere else, and a UK card will not redeem on a US account. Where you physically are does not matter; the account's country does.

To see your account's country on an iPhone: Settings → your name → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region.

If yours is already set to the United Kingdom, you do not need a new account: buy a UK Apple card instead.

Option 1: create a new US Apple Account

Apple lets you create an account without adding a bank card, which is exactly what you want when you will pay with gift cards.

On an iPhone that is signed out of the App Store (or in a browser at the Apple Account website), start creating a new account.
Choose United States as the country or region.
When asked for a payment method, choose None. If you do not see None, start the sign-up by trying to download a free app from the App Store; Apple then offers it.
Apple asks for a billing address in the country you chose. Fill it in, verify your email, and add your phone number for two-factor authentication. A Kenyan +254 number works.

Use this account for the App Store under Settings → your name → Media & Purchases. You can keep your existing account for iCloud if you prefer.

Option 2: switch your existing account to the US

You can change an existing account's country in Settings → your name → Media & Purchases → View Account → Country/Region. Apple only allows it once you have:

spent any remaining balance on the account,
cancelled active subscriptions and waited for them to end,
left Family Sharing if you are in a family group.

Apps you already own stay installed, but some may not be available in the US store. If you have a balance or subscriptions you do not want to lose, Option 1 is simpler.

Topping up with M-Pesa

Open our Apple US gift cards page and pick an amount.
Pay in shillings with M-Pesa. The code is emailed to you, normally within seconds to a few minutes.
On the iPhone: open the App Store, tap your profile picture, choose Redeem Gift Card or Code, and enter the code. The balance shows under your name straight away.

Card	Price in Kenya
Apple Gift Card $5 USA	KSh 2,400
Apple Gift Card $10 USA	KSh 3,150
Apple Gift Card $25 USA	KSh 5,400
Apple Gift Card $50 USA	KSh 9,100

Prices checked on 28 October 2026. Live prices for every amount are on the Apple US page.

What you can pay for with the balance

Paid apps and games, and in-app purchases such as TikTok coins, PUBG Mobile UC or CapCut Pro bought on iPhone
iCloud+ storage
Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple One
Subscriptions billed through the App Store, such as many streaming and dating apps

Subscriptions renew from the balance. If the balance runs out on the renewal date, the subscription stops, so top up before then.

"This code cannot be redeemed": how to fix it

Region mismatch. By far the most common cause. Check Country/Region in Media & Purchases. It must say United States for a US card.
Signed in with a different account. The App Store may use a different Apple Account from iCloud. Check which account is signed in under Media & Purchases.
Typing errors. Copy and paste the code from the email rather than typing it.

If none of these is the problem, WhatsApp iTey on +254 727 415 589 with your order reference.

Questions

Is it safe to use a US Apple Account from Kenya?

Yes. Turn on two-factor authentication, use a strong password, and never share the login with sellers who offer to "top up" your account for you.

Will my Kenyan bank card work on a US account?

Usually not: Apple expects a payment method from the account's country. That is why gift cards are the practical way to pay.

Where can I buy US Apple gift cards in Kenya?

At iTey Gift Cards, paid with M-Pesa. iTey Store is a registered Kenyan retailer with a showroom at Cookie House, Accra Road, Nairobi.

How to Create a US Apple Account in Kenya and Top It Up with M-Pesa (2026)