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A few weeks ago, I wrote about How to Give an App in response to a reader’s question. At that time, you could not give an app directly from your iOS device (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch).
Just in time for the holidays, though not in time for my earlier article, Apple updated its App Store app to allow you to give an app directly from your device. Even better, you can now delay the delivery of your gift by using the App Store app to give an app. If you give the app from iTunes on your computer you still don’t have the option of delaying the delivery of your gift.
To give an app from your iOS device, open the App Store app and search for the app you want to give. On the app page you will see a sharing icon in the upper left corner. Press it and a sharing screen will open. Press the Gift icon and a sharing screen will open. Fill in the details and choose the date of delivery up to 90 days in advance. You can include a gift message with your app.
Perhaps you’re feeling especially generous and want to give Flight Update Pro to a friend who’s a frequent traveler:
You will then be shown a form where you fill out your friend’s email address (it doesn’t have to be the email address associated with their iTunes account), add an optional message, and then set the delivery date for today or a later date.
iTunes apps are only redeemable in the US iTunes App Store. Apps are non-refundable so make sure that your friend doesn’t already have the app before you give it.
Are you excited about giving apps from your iOS device? Do you like the delayed delivery option? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Never used it Carolyn!
But your posts do make me want to get one asap now. 🙂
I’ve personally never used it, but I will be forwarding this post to a friend of mine who is in the U.S. and is a frequent traveler too. I’m sure it would come in handy for her. Glad that Apple made this update well in time for the holidays too.
Thanks for sharing and letting all of us know about it. 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, this is a very handy way to give apps, if you already have an iOS device. I wish this had been available a few weeks ago when I wrote my original article, but at least Apple gave us this feature before the holidays.
I also like that Apple is now giving us the ability to send the app up to 90 days ahead of time. Very handy for the holidays, birthdays and any other special occasion!
Thanks for stopping by and starting the conversation, Harleena! :-bd
Hi Carolyn
Again a lovely piece of information, surely I will pass this one to my hubby.
Thanks for sharing this.
Sapna
Hi Sapna, I’m so glad you found this helpful. Apple just released this feature so not many people know about it. Thanks for spreading the word about it!
I think it is a great idea – with one caveat. We’ve become accustomed to buying almost anything with the notion that “they can return it if they don’t like it” which is very often the case. I’m not sure that’s in the cards for the app store anytime soon.
Gary
Hi Gary, Excellent point. Apple should really allow for exchanges. That way people would give apps more freely, knowing that if the received already had the app, then they could exchange it for a different one.
Interesting new feature. I’ll definitely try this out. I wonder if Android and other smart phones have this option…
Hi Brandon, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Great question. Please check out my article, How to Give an App – https://wonderoftech.com/how-to-give-an-app/ where I explain how to give an app from different types of cell phones.
I had no idea that this was possible, and it’s perfect timing, especially since I’m late with one gift for a friend of mine who is living in Sweden. I am not sure if I can buy him a gift and send it to him in time for Christmas, so this is perfect 🙂
Thank you Carolyn.
Hi Jens, This is a very new feature from Apple, just released a few days ago, so not many people know of it. I’m glad this is helpful to you (and your friend in Sweden)! 🙂
I think it is awesome that you write a post and Apple does your bidding! You have almost unholy power.
In all seriousness, last summer I tried to figure out how to do that and realized it wasn’t possible. I didn’t know anything had changed. Like always, I learned something.
Hi Brian, I’m glad you learned from this post. I had a Wonder of Tech reader write to me telling me she thought Apple read my article and updated its app because of my words. I sincerely doubt it, though it’s nice to dream! 🙂