Brawl Stars, the popular mobile arena fighter from Supercell, offers a fast-paced and engaging experience for players worldwide. Gems, the premium currency in the game, are crucial for acquiring Brawlers, skins, Brawl Passes, and other valuable items. While Brawl Stars doesn’t have a direct ‘gifting’ feature for gems, there are several legitimate and safe methods you can use to indirectly provide gems to your friends, family, or fellow club members. This comprehensive guide will walk you through these methods step-by-step, ensuring a smooth and secure experience for everyone involved.
Why No Direct Gem Gifting?
Before diving into the methods, it’s important to understand why Brawl Stars doesn’t offer a straightforward gem gifting system. The primary reason is to prevent exploitation and fraud. A direct gifting feature could be easily abused by bot accounts and unauthorized sellers, leading to unfair advantages and a destabilized in-game economy. Supercell prioritizes maintaining a fair and balanced environment for all players.
Legitimate Methods to Provide Gems Indirectly
Despite the absence of direct gifting, you can still help someone obtain gems through these indirect methods:
1. Purchasing Gift Cards (App Store or Google Play)
This is arguably the safest and most reliable method. Gift cards for the App Store (iOS devices) and Google Play Store (Android devices) are readily available at most major retailers, online marketplaces, and even some gas stations. These gift cards can be redeemed for credit, which can then be used to purchase gems within the Brawl Stars app.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Purchase the Gift Card: Choose a gift card with a value that corresponds to the amount of gems you want to provide (or a little more to cover taxes). Consider the recipient’s location, as different regions may have different currency and tax rates.
- Present the Gift Card: You can physically hand the gift card to the recipient or, if they’re geographically distant, send them the gift card code electronically (via email, messaging app, etc.). Ensure you clearly communicate the redemption instructions.
- Redemption (Recipient’s Responsibilities):
- For iOS (App Store):
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Redeem Gift Card or Code.”
- Enter the gift card code manually or use the camera to scan it.
- Tap “Redeem.” The credit will be added to the recipient’s Apple ID balance.
- For Android (Google Play Store):
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Select “Redeem.”
- Enter the gift card code.
- Tap “Redeem.” The credit will be added to the recipient’s Google Play balance.
- Purchasing Gems in Brawl Stars (Recipient’s Responsibilities): Once the credit is added, the recipient can open Brawl Stars and navigate to the in-game shop. They can then select the desired gem pack and use their store credit to complete the purchase.
Important Considerations for Gift Cards:
- Regional Compatibility: Ensure the gift card is valid for the recipient’s region. App Store and Google Play gift cards are typically region-locked. Buying a US gift card for someone in Europe, for example, will not work.
- Beware of Scams: Only purchase gift cards from reputable sources. Avoid buying from unofficial sellers or websites offering heavily discounted gift cards, as these are often scams.
- Keep the Receipt: Retain the purchase receipt for the gift card as proof of purchase in case any issues arise during redemption.
- Check the Expiration Date: Some gift cards may have an expiration date. Make sure the recipient redeems the card before it expires.
2. Gifting a Phone with Pre-loaded Credit
While less common, another option is to gift someone a new phone or tablet (or even a used one) that already has credit added to the App Store or Google Play account associated with the device. This is especially suitable for younger players who may not have their own accounts or credit cards.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Set Up the Device: Purchase a new phone or tablet (Android or iOS). If using a device you already own, factory reset it to ensure there’s no personal information on it for the recipient.
- Create or Log in to an Account: During the setup process, create a new App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) account, or log in to an existing one. Important: If using your own account, be sure to remove your payment information after adding the credit, or create a new dedicated account just for this purpose.
- Add Credit to the Account: Redeem an App Store or Google Play gift card on the device, adding the desired amount of credit to the account.
- Install Brawl Stars: Download and install Brawl Stars from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Gift the Device: Package the device nicely and present it to the recipient. Explain that the device has credit pre-loaded, which they can use to purchase gems in Brawl Stars.
Important Considerations for Gifting a Device:
- Data Security: If using your own account temporarily, remember to remove all personal data and payment information after adding the credit. Creating a new dedicated account is the safest option.
- Account Ownership: Clearly communicate who owns the App Store or Google Play account. Consider transferring ownership of the account to the recipient, especially if they are old enough to manage it themselves.
- Parental Controls: If the recipient is a child, set up parental controls on the device to manage app usage and prevent unauthorized purchases.
3. Using Family Sharing (iOS) or Family Library (Google Play) – Limited Usefulness for Gems
Apple’s Family Sharing and Google Play’s Family Library allow you to share certain purchases with family members. However, this method is not ideal for gifting gems because:
- In-App Purchases Restriction: In-app purchases, like gem packs in Brawl Stars, are generally not shareable through Family Sharing or Family Library. This is because these purchases are tied to the specific game account and not the overarching Apple ID or Google account.
- Limited Applicability: This method is really only helpful if you purchase the entire game application if Brawl Stars ever became a paid application (currently it is Free-to-Play).
How Family Sharing/Library Works (For informational purposes only, not for gifting gems):
- Set Up Family Sharing/Library: The organizer (typically the parent) sets up Family Sharing on iOS or Family Library on Google Play, inviting family members to join.
- Enable Purchase Sharing: In the Family Sharing/Library settings, enable purchase sharing for eligible content (apps, music, movies, etc.).
- Download Shared Content: Family members can then download and use shared content on their own devices, associated with their individual Apple IDs or Google accounts.
Important Considerations for Family Sharing/Library:
- Not for Gems: As mentioned earlier, this method is largely ineffective for gifting gems directly due to the restrictions on in-app purchase sharing.
- Privacy: Understand the privacy implications of sharing purchases with family members. All members of the family group can see which apps and content have been downloaded.
4. Contests, Giveaways, and Tournaments
While you can’t directly gift gems, you can organize contests, giveaways, or tournaments where the prize is a gift card that the winner can then use to buy gems. This adds a fun and engaging element to the process.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Define the Contest/Giveaway Rules: Clearly outline the rules of the contest or giveaway. Examples include:
- Skill-Based Contest: Players submit gameplay videos, artwork, or strategy guides related to Brawl Stars. A panel of judges (or community voting) determines the winner.
- Random Giveaway: Players enter the giveaway by following your social media account, retweeting a post, or joining your Brawl Stars club. A winner is selected randomly.
- Tournament: Organize a Brawl Stars tournament with specific rules and brackets. The winner(s) receive a gift card.
- Promote the Contest/Giveaway: Use social media, your Brawl Stars club, and other platforms to promote the contest or giveaway and attract participants.
- Run the Contest/Giveaway: Execute the contest or giveaway according to the established rules.
- Award the Prize: Once the contest or giveaway is complete, announce the winner(s) and award them the App Store or Google Play gift card.
Important Considerations for Contests/Giveaways:
- Transparency: Be transparent about the rules and selection process to maintain fairness and build trust with participants.
- Terms and Conditions: Consider including a disclaimer stating that the contest is not affiliated with or endorsed by Supercell.
- Prize Value: Determine the value of the gift card prize based on your budget and the level of engagement you want to generate.
- Legality: Be aware of any legal regulations regarding contests and giveaways in your region.
Avoiding Scams and Unauthorized Gem Sellers
It’s crucial to be extremely cautious when dealing with offers for cheap or free gems. Numerous websites and individuals claim to provide gems at discounted prices, but these are almost always scams. Here’s why you should avoid them:
- Account Theft: Many of these scams require you to provide your Brawl Stars account credentials (email address and password). This gives the scammers access to your account, allowing them to steal your gems, Brawlers, and other valuable items.
- Malware and Viruses: Some websites may attempt to install malware or viruses on your device when you visit them. This can compromise your personal information and damage your device.
- Violation of Terms of Service: Using unauthorized gem sellers violates Supercell’s Terms of Service and can result in your account being permanently banned.
- Fake Gems: Even if the scammer doesn’t steal your account, they may provide you with fake gems that disappear after a short period or simply don’t work.
Red Flags to Watch Out For:
- Requests for your account credentials (email address and password).
- Promises of free or heavily discounted gems.
- Websites that look unprofessional or suspicious.
- Requests to download and install unknown apps or software.
- Offers that seem too good to be true.
Only purchase gems through the official Brawl Stars in-app store. This is the only safe and legitimate way to acquire gems.
Tips for Responsible Gem Spending
Whether you’re buying gems for yourself or someone else, it’s important to spend them responsibly. Here are some tips:
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on gems each month and stick to your budget.
- Prioritize Purchases: Focus on purchasing items that will have the most impact on your gameplay, such as Brawl Passes or Brawlers.
- Avoid Impulse Purchases: Take some time to consider whether you really need an item before buying it.
- Be Aware of Limited-Time Offers: While some limited-time offers are genuinely good deals, others may be designed to encourage impulse purchases.
- Don’t Chase the Meta: Avoid spending gems on Brawlers or items simply because they are currently popular. The meta (most effective tactics available) can change quickly.
Conclusion
While Brawl Stars doesn’t have a direct gem gifting feature, the methods outlined in this guide provide safe and legitimate ways to help your friends, family, or club members acquire gems. By purchasing gift cards, gifting a device with pre-loaded credit, or organizing contests and giveaways, you can contribute to their Brawl Stars experience without risking account security or violating the game’s terms of service. Remember to always be cautious of scams and only purchase gems through the official in-app store. Happy Brawling!