Got a gift card, a game code or a subscription card? This guide shows exactly how to redeem a code on Xbox and PlayStation, how Microsoft Rewards points and Xbox quests work, how PlayStation wallet funds and gift cards work, and the truth about “PlayStation discount codes”. It also covers safety, because code scams are common.
How to redeem an Xbox code
On an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Store, then press the View button (two squares) or select Redeem from the menu.
- Enter the 25-character code (letters and numbers, no hyphens needed) and select Next.
- Confirm. The game starts downloading, or the balance or subscription time is added.
On a phone or PC
- Go to redeem.microsoft.com and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Enter the code and confirm.
That is the full process for an Xbox redeem code, including a Microsoft Xbox gift card, a digital Xbox gift card received by email, an old Xbox Live card or a Game Pass card. On Windows you can also redeem from the Microsoft Store app or the Xbox app under your profile.
How to redeem an Xbox gift card
Xbox gift cards and Microsoft gift cards are the same thing: both add money to your Microsoft account balance, which works for Xbox games, add-ons, Game Pass and Microsoft Store apps. Redeem them exactly like any other code. Physical cards have a scratch-off strip on the back that reveals the code. Digital cards arrive by email from the retailer; copy the code carefully, because O and 0 or I and 1 are easy to confuse.
Xbox Rewards: how to redeem Xbox points
Microsoft Rewards gives you points for searching with Bing, completing daily sets and playing games. On Xbox, the Rewards experience shows Xbox quests: monthly and weekly challenges, such as playing a Game Pass game for 15 minutes or earning achievements, that pay out points. Xbox Game Pass members get extra quests.
- Open the Microsoft Rewards app on your Xbox (or rewards.microsoft.com).
- Check your points balance and active quests.
- Go to Redeem and choose a reward: Xbox gift card amounts, Game Pass time, or donations.
- Confirm. Gift card rewards are added straight to your balance or sent as a code by email.
To redeem Xbox Rewards efficiently, save points for larger gift cards, which sometimes cost fewer points per dollar, and complete the Game Pass quests each month.
How to redeem a PlayStation code
On PS5
- Go to the PlayStation Store on the home screen.
- Select the three dots (…) at the top, then Redeem Code.
- Enter the 12-character code and confirm.
On the web or phone
- Go to store.playstation.com and sign in, or open the PlayStation App.
- Select your avatar, then Redeem Codes.
- Enter the code.
PlayStation gift cards and the PlayStation wallet
PlayStation gift cards (also searched as PlayStation cards or a PlayStation giftcard) add funds to your PlayStation wallet, the balance attached to your PSN account. You can then buy games, add-ons, in-game currency and PlayStation Plus. Wallet funds are tied to your account’s region: a US card only works on a US account. Each region also has a maximum wallet balance, so a card that would push you over the limit will be rejected until you spend some funds. To check your wallet balance on PS5, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Account > Payment and Subscriptions > Wallet.
Are there PlayStation discount codes?
Mostly no. People search for a “PlayStation discount code 2026” or “PlayStation discount code 2025”, but Sony does not publish general promo codes for the PlayStation Store. Real ways to save are: PlayStation Store sales (Days of Play in June, Black Friday, Holiday sale), PlayStation Plus member discounts, discounted gift cards at retailers during holidays, and occasional targeted vouchers that Sony emails to some accounts. Websites listing “working PlayStation discount codes” are usually ad farms or scams. See PlayStation and Xbox deals for real sales.
Buying codes from third-party sites
Key resellers and marketplaces (including sites some players mention by name in Spanish-language searches, such as “como usar opmarket Xbox”) sell codes for less, often from other regions. Risks include region-locked codes that will not redeem, codes bought with stolen cards that Microsoft or Sony later revoke, and accounts being banned for using fraudulent keys. If you buy anywhere other than an official store or a major retailer, assume you may lose the money. Never give your account password to any seller who offers to “activate” a code for you.
Code not working? Common errors and fixes
Xbox
- “This code has already been redeemed”: check your order history at account.microsoft.com; the content may already be on your account. If you did not redeem it, contact the retailer with the receipt.
- “This code isn’t valid”: recheck the 25 characters, especially B and 8. Microsoft codes never contain the letters A, E, I, L, O, S or U, so a character that looks like an O is a zero and one that looks like an I is the number one.
- Region error: the code is for a different country than your Microsoft account. You cannot change region just for one code; ask the seller for a refund.
- Gift card not activated: physical cards must be activated at the checkout. Contact the store if the code fails.
PlayStation
- “The code you entered is not valid” (e.g. WC-40354-7): retype the code; if it still fails, it may be for another region or already used.
- Wallet limit reached: spend some of your balance first.
- Child account restrictions: sub-accounts may need a parent to allow wallet use in Family Management.
Redeeming subscription cards
Game Pass cards stack on top of your current membership, up to a maximum total time (generally up to 36 months for most tiers). Redeeming an Ultimate card while you have Essential or Premium may convert your remaining time; the console shows the conversion before you confirm. PlayStation Plus cards also stack, but you cannot redeem a lower tier card while a higher tier is active without it being added at the lower tier later. Always read the confirmation screen before accepting.
Gift card safety
Scammers often ask people to pay “fees”, “fines” or “tech support” with gift cards. No real company, government agency or Xbox or PlayStation employee will ever ask you to pay with gift card codes. Only share a code with someone you are giving it to as a gift, and never post codes in public chats or comments.
Redeem codes FAQ
Where do I enter a code on Xbox?
Open the Store on the console and choose Redeem, or go to redeem.microsoft.com.
How do I check my Microsoft account balance?
Go to account.microsoft.com/billing or open Settings > Account > Payment & billing on your Xbox.
Do Xbox gift cards expire?
US Microsoft gift card balances generally do not expire, but promotional codes and some reward codes do. Check the expiry shown when you redeem.
Can I use PlayStation wallet funds for PS Plus?
Yes. If your wallet has enough funds at renewal, PS Plus is paid from it.
Still stuck? Contact Xbox support or PlayStation support with a photo of the card and your receipt; both can trace a code and tell you where it was redeemed.