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Yes—U.S. McDonald’s customers can transfer an eligible Arch Card or eGift Card balance into the digital Gift Card balance in the McDonald’s app. That is different from adding an Arch Card as a regular payment card: McDonald’s says Arch Cards cannot be registered as ordinary Mobile Order & Pay payment methods. The transfer is permanent, so check the destination account before confirming.
These instructions reflect McDonald’s U.S. Arch Card terms available in 2026. McDonald’s has announced revised terms effective August 24, 2026, so app labels and details may change.
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Before you transfer a card
- Use the official McDonald’s app, updated to the latest version available for your phone.
- Sign in to the McDonald’s account where you want the digital balance to remain.
- Have an activated physical Arch Card or valid eGift Card, plus the card details the app requests.
- Make sure you have an internet connection and can access the account after the transfer.
McDonald’s confirms that physical Arch Card and eGift Card balances may be transferred to a digital Gift Card in the app. Its published terms do not provide a complete, stable sequence of screen labels, so the exact location and wording can vary by app version.
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- Open the McDonald’s app and sign in to the intended account.
- Open the app’s Gift Card or Arch Card area. Look for an option such as adding a Gift Card, transferring a balance, or moving a card into the app. The labels may differ.
- Enter or scan the requested card information. Follow the app’s prompts; it may request the card number and security code or PIN.
- Review the account and transfer details carefully, then confirm only if you are ready to move the balance permanently.
- Wait for confirmation and check that the digital Gift Card balance appears in the app. Keep the original card or eGift Card email and purchase information until you see the balance.
Do not assume the transfer option is under Payment Methods. McDonald’s documents that area for ordinary payment cards; its help page describes a route such as More → Profile → Payment Methods for those cards, not necessarily for gift-card transfers. The Arch Card balance-transfer feature is a separate stored-value function. See McDonald’s Arch Card terms and its payment help.
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- Perfect for all occasions - including holidays, thank you’ s, just because gifting, and especially birthdays (Grimace loves his birthday!) -- a McDonald's gift card is always a hit and a great value.
- Gift an Arch Card to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, service providers, etc.
- From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, McDonald's has something for everyone.
- McDonald’s gift cards can be used on any menu item including fan favorites like the Egg McMuffin, McNuggets, the Big Mac, and of course our world-famous fries.
- Our burgers are the hottest, juiciest burgers. Ask the Hamburglar, he can’t keep his hands off ‘em!
How to use the transferred balance for a mobile order
Build a Mobile Order & Pay order for a participating restaurant, then check the payment options at checkout. Select the digital Gift Card balance if it is offered. McDonald’s terms say the balance can be used for eligible app orders when it is sufficient to cover the order total, including tax and, where applicable, delivery charges. Do not count on being able to split a short balance across another payment method unless the checkout screen explicitly offers that option.
Ordering directly through a third-party delivery service is different from ordering through McDonald’s app. Do not assume an app-based McDonald’s Gift Card balance will be accepted by DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or another platform.
Why you may not see the Gift Card option
The feature is supported by the U.S. Arch Card terms, but McDonald’s does not promise that every account will show identical controls. Try these steps:
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
- Gift an Arch Card to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, service providers, etc.
- From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, McDonald's has something for everyone.
- McDonald’s gift cards can be used on any menu item including fan favorites like the Egg McMuffin, McNuggets, the Big Mac, and of course our world-famous fries.
- Our burgers are the hottest, juiciest burgers. Ask the Hamburglar, he can’t keep his hands off ‘em!
- Update the official app through your phone’s app store.
- Confirm you are signed into the account where you want the balance.
- Check that the card is activated, has a balance, and has not already been transferred.
- Look in the Gift Card or stored-value area rather than treating the card as a credit or debit card.
- Check your connection, then reopen the app. If the option is still absent or the transfer appears to have failed, use the app’s Help Center or contact McDonald’s support before trying again.
McDonald’s has announced revised terms effective August 24, 2026, including changes involving stored-value features such as digital gift cards. If you are using the app around or after that date, menu wording may have changed. Check the current McDonald’s Mobile Order & Pay FAQs for updated information.
Adding a card under Payment Methods is not the same thing
McDonald’s Mobile Ordering FAQ says an Arch Card cannot be registered as a normal payment method for mobile orders. That statement concerns adding the card like a credit or debit card. The newer Arch Card terms separately describe transferring its stored balance into the app’s digital Gift Card balance. If you do not see a transfer control, adding the card number to ordinary payment settings is not a substitute.
McDonald’s lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards issued by U.S. banks among the ordinary registered-card options; Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo may also be available in the stated circumstances. Availability depends on the device, wallet setup, restaurant, and order type. See the Mobile Ordering FAQ.
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- McDonald's $40 Multipack includes 4 x $10 gift cards.
- Perfect for all occasions - including holidays, thank you’ s, just because gifting, and especially birthdays (Grimace loves his birthday!) -- a McDonald's gift card is always a hit and a great value.
- Gift an Arch Card to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, service providers, etc.
- From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, McDonald's has something for everyone.
- McDonald’s gift cards can be used on any menu item including fan favorites like the Egg McMuffin, McNuggets, the Big Mac, and of course our world-famous fries.
Physical Arch Cards and eGift Cards
Physical Arch Card: You may transfer its balance to the app, or use the physical card at a U.S. restaurant that accepts Arch Cards. McDonald’s says most U.S. restaurants accept them, but not every location is guaranteed to do so. Check with the restaurant if you are unsure.
eGift Card: McDonald’s terms say an eGift Card balance must be transferred to a digital Gift Card in the app to be used. Do not assume printing the email makes it redeemable in person. Keep the original email and card details until the app confirms the transfer.
What happens after a transfer?
The transfer changes where the money is held. Once complete, the balance is no longer on the original physical or electronic card and can be accessed only through the app. McDonald’s says transferred balances from multiple cards are combined into one app balance, rather than kept as separate card wallets. The terms describe the transfer as irreversible.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
- Gift an Arch Card to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, service providers, etc.
- From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, McDonald's has something for everyone.
- McDonald’s gift cards can be used on any menu item including fan favorites like the Egg McMuffin, McNuggets, the Big Mac, and of course our world-famous fries.
- Our burgers are the hottest, juiciest burgers. Ask the Hamburglar, he can’t keep his hands off ‘em!
That makes account security important: verify the account before confirming, protect your login, and make sure you can continue to access the app. Arch Card balances do not expire and have no inactivity or service fees under the U.S. terms, subject to legal exceptions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting a failed or missing transfer
The card number or PIN is rejected
- Recheck the number and any security code or PIN against the original card or eGift Card details.
- Make sure you are using the requested card credential, not a barcode, deal code, or four-digit Rewards code.
- Confirm the card was activated by the seller and came from an authorized source.
- Check whether the balance may already have been transferred. Avoid repeated submissions if a previous attempt may have succeeded.
Never post your card number or PIN publicly or enter them on an unofficial balance-checking site.
The balance does not appear after confirmation
First check that you are in the correct account and that the app has a working connection. Close and reopen the app, then check the Gift Card balance again. McDonald’s terms note that balance information is an estimate based on available transaction data and that adjustments can be delayed. If the balance remains missing, contact McDonald’s through its official app Help Center before retrying. Keep the card and purchase records available for support.
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- Give the Gift of Chicken and add a little "yay" to their day.
- Make their day with the gift of Chick-fil-A. Perfect for every occasion! Usable for purchases of food, beverages, or merchandise at participating Chick-fil-A Restaurants in the U.S. only.
- Celebrate the big and little things for friends and family, near and far, with a Chick-fil-A eGift Card. They are just as fun to give as they are to receive.
- You’re just a few clicks away from making someone’s day a little brighter (and tastier).
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The transfer option is still missing
After updating the app and checking the correct account, search the in-app Help Center for “gift card” or “Arch Card.” App functionality and participation can vary; contact McDonald’s support if the transfer control is unavailable. Until you have confirmation, retain the original card or eGift Card details.
The card is lost or stolen
McDonald’s Arch Card terms direct customers to freeze the balance by calling 800-244-6227 and then submit a replacement request with proof of ownership. Protect your app login as well, particularly if the balance has already been transferred.
Rewards and gift-card balance
Loading an Arch Card does not earn MyMcDonald’s Rewards points. A qualifying purchase paid with an Arch Card may earn points at participating restaurants. Rewards codes and gift-card credentials are separate, and rewards cannot be redeemed on third-party delivery orders. Check the current MyMcDonald’s Rewards information for terms and participation details.
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