How to redeem a Minecraft "Minecoins" gift card in Minecraft on iOS

So your kid loves Minecraft. Sure, they all do!

And someone got her a gift card of "Minecoins", but she's 9 and she needs help redeeming it.

Computer dad to the rescue!

It's easy! Follow these steps!

1. Go into the Marketplace, then get angry that it inexplicably doesn't let you just enter the fucking code there.

2. Do some searches: find unhelpful youtube videos, bullshit about bitcoin, and Reddit posts which kind of indicate that I need to make a Microsoft account.

   Oh christ this is going to be a production isn't it

3. Wait, my kids have been playing Minecraft without an online profile for like 2 years. Do I really need to create a flippin profile for this? yes
4. Create a new gmail because I don't want this shit on my own email
5. Use that Gmail for a new Microsoft account. I love waiting for 6-digit codes so I can enter them. Twice
6. Log into Minecraft with the Microsoft account
7. Haha you thought it was almost over you dumb bastard
8. Now create an XBox live profile. Pick a gamertag that your kids won't hate
9. Optional: switch to desktop and finish creating XBox profile because I hate touchscreens
10. Can I redeem the code on the XBox profile site? Haha no
11. Go to minecraft.net > Shop > Redeem a Gift Code
12. Scroll down to REDEEM MINECOINS. Enter the code
13. Alright! It says my minecoins are now available!
14. Go back to iPad. The minecoins are not available.
15. Kill/reboot Minecraft on iPad. Still no coins.
16. Double check all accounts.
    Minecraft.net doesn't show you any balance because it sucks.
    XBox profile also doesn't show you any Minecraft balance.
    Microsoft account says "order completed". I guess that's good?
17. Kill/reboot Minecraft again. Actually it crashed, maybe because of low-power mode. Whatever.
18. Start looking for support options.
19. Check iPad again. Finally have minecoins!

I hope this guide was helpful!

Grant Birchmeier, Jan 25 2025, 11:30pm