iTunes Pass Introduced Today for Apple Store Customers in Japan

July 16, 2024 by

Image credit: Lucius Kwok

Yesterday in Japan, Apple introduced “iTunes Pass.” This is a new service for the App Store and iBookstore users with iOS devices. The iTunes Pass allows users in Japan to purchase credits in brick and mortar stores.

Previously, Apple Passbook cards only allowed for external funds to be debited from them. Now funds can be automatically credited to the card, eliminating the need for the manual entry of gift cards. The appropriate Apple device need only be taken to an Apple Store where a special associate takes care of the process. The credit is immediate.

Apple describes the process, in an automated translation from Japanese to English, as follows:

“With the iTunes Pass, you can now deposit directly to the account of the App Store or iTunes Store near you. Go to the iTunes Store in the iOS device you have, if you tap “Use iTunes Card / Code” button and scroll down, you can get the iTunes Pass. Please tell a specialist in the Apple Store near you, you want to deposit into the account. When you open the iTunes Pass from the Passbook, specialists will scan it, and accept the payment. Balance is updated on the fly, available immediately.”

The service is only available in Japan for now. However, reading the contract’s fine print reveals that the service is excluded from Brazil, China and Turkey. This suggests that the introduction in Japan might just be a pilot and that iTunes Pass may soon be available in other countries.

Apple introduced Passbook as a means for storing digital coupons, gift cards and boarding passes. Businesses such as Apple’s retail stores, Starbucks, Ticketmaster, PG Hotels and United Airlines can be used on Passbook.

Passbook was first included on iOS6.

The new iTunes Pass will assist in paper conservation, waste reduction and could be a harbinger of an Apple mobile payments plan to come.

 

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