For some time, many Apple stores were simply refusing to accept Apple gift cards as payment towards the purchase of the iPhone. This action, however, was in error. As stated above, the goal of Apple in refusing cash as a purchase medium for the iPhone was to reduce the number of untraceable phones out there. Allowing a gift card to be used as the sole method of payment for an iPhone results in an untraceable phone. Allowing it to be used for a portion of the purchase does not.

As recently as yesterday, Apple has confirmed that gift cards are a perfectly viable form of payment for the Apple iPhone as long as they are not the only form of payment involved. A credit card is still required. Most stores ask that the buyer put the first $20 of an iPhone purchase on a major credit card and allow Apple gift cards to be used for the remainder. Technically, however, putting any amount of the purchase on a credit card meets Apple's requirements.