Found a way to test iTunes codes!

[ready2play]

***UPDATE*** As of July 2019, the SOME of the updated versions of itunes DO WORK AGAIN. Some may still redeem your code during the process into your itunes account. Proceed with caution depending on the version you have. One sure way is to uninstall your current (new) version of itunes, and install an older version. Then, do NOT accept updates when alerted by itunes, otherwise you will just end up with the newest version again.

I am currently using version 12.4.3.1 and am able to test just fine.

Some older versions:

https://support.apple.com/en_US/downloads/itunes


Also to note, you can NOW ALSO TEST XML! Itunes will now state a message of either invalid code, redeemed code, or insert disc for XML codes. If it states insert disc, 9/10 times it is a GOOD CODE now. They are showing as redeemed when they are in fact redeemed. If it shows as invalid, then the code is likely expired (but I would check it on Movies Anwhere http://www.moviesanywhere.com/welcome to make sure that they didn't just change the redemption platform, as many WB XML codes have shown valid there.
__________________________________________________ _______

So......as many of you may know, you can test UV codes without an issue to make sure they work before trading etc. This is done by being logged out of your Vudu account/Flixter/whatever, and entering the code. If it asks you to log in, code is good....if not, code is used or typed wrong.


This step by step will show you how to test itunes codes without redeeming them into your account. This has only been tested on Windows based PC's, but if you can append this with how to test on Mac, please do so.


STEP 1
First thing to do is, open iTunes. In the upper left corner, click the drop-down menu and go to preferences as shown below:





STEP 2
In the preferences, click on the Store Tab. Ensure that "Always Check for Available Downloads" is checked. Confirm your edits by hitting ok.




STEP 3
Select on itunes Store on the upper right hand side of the screen if you are not already there




STEP 4
Select the redeem button for entering your code. You are usually prompted for your login info here, go ahead and log into your account. At this point, you will have the standard redemption box.




STEP 5
Now that you have itunes set up and ready, you will want to open Task Manager in Windows. The easiest way to do this is to right click anywhere on the Start bar, and scroll down to Task Manager




STEP 6
Once the Box is open, you will want to select on the Processes tab at the top.




STEP 7
Next, you will want to organize the list of items so that the itunes Process is easier to find. Do this by clicking on the Image Name bar so that it alphabetizes the list. Now, scroll down to where you see the process itunes.exe. Once you see where that is located, we are ready to begin the actual testing process.




STEP 8
Go Back into your itunes redemption window, and input the code that you would like to test. Click the Redeem button, but DO NOT select anything on any dialog boxes that show up. Typically you would likely select Download by second nature. DO NOT SELECT DOWNLOAD OR LATER. Now, if the code is redeemed, it will still give the appropriate redeemed message under the redemption box. IF it is invalid or incorrectly typed, it will state invalid under the redemption box as normal. IF, HOWEVER, you have a Dialog box pop up as in the image below, that indicates that the code is VALID.






STEP 9

Once you confirm you have a valid code, click back over to Task Manager (itunes and the small dialog box will still be open in the background). Scroll down to the itunes.exe process and right click. Select "End Process" and confirm when the dialog box pops up.



STEP 10
At this point, you have successfully stopped itunes from fully redeeming the code, and it is still valid for use. You can test the code again and see that the same dialog box will pop up, and just repeat the process to cancel this redemption to retain the code for future use.





**I am not responsible for accidental redemption**

[diskspinner]

Well, it is not too bad. Will try this next time I redeem a code

[AZBrowncoat]

Interesting...that should help a lot of folks out!

[neoz]

Thanks op great tip.

[Evil]

Great find, ready2play.

[ready2play]

Glad you guys are seeing this! Hope it can be useful across the board.....always trying to find new things regarding DC's and UV's....I have a bunch of secrets I have found so far, a couple I have kept closely guarded :P

[Gold Ranger]

Originally Posted by ready2play

So......as many of you may know, you can test UV codes without an issue to make sure they work before trading etc. This is done by being logged out of your Vudu account/Flixter/whatever, and entering the code. If it asks you to log in, code is good....if not, code is used or typed wrong.

Ok.....so up until now, I have only been able to test SOME itunes codes. Those would be Universal Studios codes, and some Paramount directly through their redemption websites.


Well, I tried something......In Itunes, I have it set to where it ASKS me first if I'd like to download the movie when I enter a code instead of automatically downloading the movie. When it asks, I know the code is good. I open Windows task manager (ctrl+alt+del or right click on Start bar and scroll to TM), and kill the itunes program completely without clicking continue on the question it asks. Tried with several codes now, and it seems to work! Codes remain valid, and you don't accidentally redeem them if you are careful...

A bit tedious, but may be something good to know!


**Note, I have NOT gotten this to work yet with disc/xml based codes redemption, but working on sorting that out as well.

I've never used i tunes before. I just installed it and set up an account.
How do I set it up they way that you did?

[Evil]

Originally Posted by KaineKinetic

I've never used i tunes before. I just installed it and set up an account.
How do I set it up they way that you did?

I think that's the default setting now. After you redeem a code or buy a movie or TV show, it asks you whether you want to download it then or wait until later.

You can test it on a freebie, like the pilot of "Murder Comes to Town":
https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-seaso...09?i=791301885

[trilix]

any updates on xml-based redemption?

[ready2play]

Originally Posted by trilix

any updates on xml-based redemption?

no.......testing without the disc causes it just to say "please insert disc to redeem". Inserting the disc, and then entering a code, it ALWAYS prompts for login, even with a used code..... and then automatically redeems after you do so with a good one.....so haven't been able to figure out how to test them yet

[trilix]

Originally Posted by ready2play

no.......testing without the disc causes it just to say "please insert disc to redeem". Inserting the disc, and then entering a code, it ALWAYS prompts for login, even with a used code..... and then automatically redeems after you do so with a good one.....so haven't been able to figure out how to test them yet

Ah man...

Hmm just thought of something. What if you login and go to the code redemption screen, then disable your internet? It's a longshot.

[Last Starfighter]

Originally Posted by ready2play

**Note, I have NOT gotten this to work yet with disc/xml based codes redemption, but working on sorting that out as well.

Hey guys, just wondering if there's been any new ways on testing iTune codes that do require the discs? I finally decided to pull out all my movies that have digital copies...turns out 70% of them are old expired iTunes codes and yah...includes the stupid digital copy disc. Reason why i want to test them is to throw them on my trades list for movies i don't have.

thanks

[theater dreamer]

Just want to bump this up. This works GREAT!

Just to clarify, in case this has been discussed after the fact (I didn't read all the comments). The first time I did this, there were more than one iTunes items showing up in the task manager. Something called iTunes helper, and then the iTunes.exe. I stopped the helper first, and then the .exe. The iTunes closed. I logged back in, re-entered the same code again, and again it asks me if I wanted to redeem it. So, I can confirm the method, and the "killing the .exe program" halts the redemption process 100%.

Thank you!!

[messayli]

Originally Posted by theater dreamer

Just want to bump this up. This works GREAT!

Just to clarify, in case this has been discussed after the fact (I didn't read all the comments). The first time I did this, there were more than one iTunes items showing up in the task manager. Something called iTunes helper, and then the iTunes.exe. I stopped the helper first, and then the .exe. The iTunes closed. I logged back in, re-entered the same code again, and again it asks me if I wanted to redeem it. So, I can confirm the method, and the "killing the .exe program" halts the redemption process 100%.

Thank you!!

AM I missing something here? When I enter the code and press redeem it automtically redeem the card and adds $ to my account. No warning message whatsoever. I have a MAC and used force Quit. Thanks for any suggestions from any one.

[flippenphil]

you may have ituns set for auto... or it may not work on gift cards since it does not require a file to be downlaoded. idk...
i only got itunes to redeem disney movies.

[Kendro]

Does this work for iOS if you force quit (double click and swipe up) when it asks you to download later?

[White Pony]

Does this still work? I don't get that Dialog box pop up asking me to download load now or later, it just redeems it. I used to get that dialog box pop up.

[worrywort]

Originally Posted by White Pony

Does this still work? I don't get that Dialog box pop up asking me to download load now or later, it just redeems it. I used to get that dialog box pop up.

put me in the "me too" category. I am using iTunes 12.5.1 on a pc.

For those who still get the download later box, what version of iTunes are you using?

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by worrywort

put me in the "me too" category. I am using iTunes 12.5.1 on a pc.

For those who still get the download later box, what version of iTunes are you using?

I used it yesterday to test some codes. I still have 11 on a pc, but I only use it for a few tasks at this point. Was considering updating so it'd quit asking me, but will wait to see how this all plays out now.

[darylfoot]

I have 12.4 on my PC and the box still pops up and then I kill it