Delete a card by going to your wallet, finding the card, and clicking remove
To delete a credit card from PayPal, sign into your account on a computer or the mobile app, go to your Wallet, find the card you want to remove, and select the delete or remove option. The card is gone from your account when ready, though any pending charges using that card may still process. You cannot undo the deletion, so make sure you have another payment method on file if you plan to use PayPal again soon.
The exact steps differ slightly between the website and the app, but both take less than a minute. PayPal does not charge you to remove a card, and removing it does not affect your account balance or any money already in your PayPal wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Sign into PayPal, navigate to Wallet, select the card, and click the remove or delete button — the process takes under one minute.
- Removing a card does not cancel subscriptions or recurring payments tied to that card; you must cancel those separately or update them to a different payment method.
- Pending transactions may still go through even after you delete the card, so check your account for a few days afterward.
- If you delete your only payment method, you will need to add a new card or bank account before you can make purchases through PayPal.
Steps to remove a card on the PayPal website
Open PayPal.com and sign in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Wallet from the menu. You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — cards, bank accounts, and any stored PayPal balances.
Find the credit card you want to delete and click on it. A details panel will open showing the card number (usually the last four digits), expiration date, and cardholder name. Look for a Remove or Delete button, usually near the bottom of the panel or in a three-dot menu. Click it, and PayPal will ask you to confirm. Select Yes, remove this card or the equivalent confirmation button. The card is now deleted from your account.
Steps to remove a card on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then tap Wallet. You will see your linked payment methods displayed as cards or list items.
Tap the card you want to remove. A screen will appear with the card details. Swipe left on the card (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android), and a delete or remove option will appear. Tap it and confirm when PayPal asks you to verify. The card is deleted when ready.
What happens to subscriptions and recurring charges
If you have set up a subscription or recurring payment using the card you are deleting — such as a monthly service, a stored seller preference, or an automatic bill payment — that subscription does not automatically cancel when you remove the card. Instead, PayPal will try to charge your next default payment method when the next payment is due.
If you do not have another payment method on file, the subscription will fail and you may receive a notice from PayPal or the merchant. To avoid this, either add a replacement card before deleting the old one, or cancel the subscription separately through your account settings or the merchant's website. Check your Subscriptions & Automatic Payments section in PayPal settings to see what is currently active.
Pending charges and timing
Transactions that were already in progress when you deleted the card may still go through. PayPal processes payments in batches, so a charge you authorized minutes before deletion might still be charged to that card over the next few hours or even days. Deleting the card does not stop payments that have already been submitted to your bank.
Check your PayPal transaction history and your bank or credit card statement for a few days after deletion to make sure no unexpected charges appear. If you see a charge you did not authorize, contact PayPal's Resolution Center or your bank to dispute it.
If you delete your only payment method
PayPal will let you delete a card even if it is your only payment method on file. However, you will not be able to make purchases or send money through PayPal until you add a new card or bank account. If you try to pay for something and have no payment method linked, PayPal will prompt you to add one before the transaction can go through.
You can add a new card at any time by going to Wallet and selecting Add a card or Link a bank account. Have your card number, expiration date, and billing address ready, or your bank's routing and account numbers if you are linking a bank account instead.
Removing a card you no longer have or cannot access
If the card you want to delete has expired, been lost, or been replaced by your bank, you can still remove it from PayPal using the steps above. You do not need the physical card or access to the card itself — PayPal only needs you to be signed into your account. The card will delete from your PayPal wallet even if your bank has already deactivated it.
If you cannot sign into your PayPal account, you will need to recover your account first. Use the Forgot password link on the PayPal login page, or contact PayPal's customer service through the Help Center if you cannot recover access on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from PayPal affect my credit score?
No. Removing a card from PayPal is just removing it from your account — it does not close the card itself or change anything with your bank or credit card company. Your credit score is not affected.
Can I undo a card deletion?
No, the deletion is permanent. You will need to add the card again manually if you want to use it with PayPal in the future. Have the card number, expiration date, and billing address ready.
What if a merchant is still trying to charge the deleted card?
If a merchant has your card number saved separately (not through PayPal), they can still try to charge it even after you delete it from PayPal. To stop this, contact the merchant directly or cancel the subscription through their website. You can also contact your bank or card issuer to block the merchant from charging you.
Will deleting a card remove it from my bank's records?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal only removes it from your PayPal account. The card itself remains active with your bank unless you cancel it directly with them. If you want to close the card entirely, contact your bank or credit card company.