How to change your credit card on Apple Pay
You can change your primary card or remove a card from Apple Pay in under a minute. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the card you want to change, select the three dots in the top right corner, and choose "Remove This Card" or "Set as Default." If you want to add a different card instead, tap the plus sign in Wallet and follow the prompts to enter your new card details. The process is the same whether you're switching to a card from the same bank or a completely different one.
Apple Pay stores your card information on your device, encrypted and separate from your actual card number. When you remove a card from Apple Pay, it stays active at your bank — you're only removing it from this app. If you're replacing a card because it expired or was compromised, you'll also need to contact your bank to handle the card itself.
Key Takeaways
- Open Wallet, tap your card, select the three dots, and choose "Remove This Card" to take a card off Apple Pay.
- To set a different card as your default for contactless payments, tap the card, select the three dots, and choose "Set as Default."
- Removing a card from Apple Pay does not cancel the card at your bank — the card remains active unless you contact your bank separately.
- You can store up to 12 cards in Apple Pay on a single device, so you don't have to remove an old card to add a new one.
- If your card was lost, stolen, or compromised, contact your bank first before removing it from Apple Pay.
Removing a card from Apple Pay step by step
Start by opening the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. You'll see all your cards displayed as a stack. Tap the card you want to remove. A larger view of that card will appear with details like the last four digits and the cardholder name.
Look for the three dots (called the menu button) in the top right corner of the card. Tap it. A menu will pop up with several options. Select "Remove This Card." You'll see a confirmation message asking if you're sure. Tap "Remove" again to confirm. The card is now gone from your Wallet app, though it remains active at your bank.
If you have multiple cards and want to keep one but switch which one is your default for contactless payments, follow the same steps but choose "Set as Default" instead of "Remove This Card."
Adding a new card to replace the old one
If you're switching to a different card entirely, you don't have to remove the old one first — you can straightforward add the new card and set it as your default. Open Wallet and tap the plus sign in the top right corner. You'll be prompted to enter your new card details: the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back).
Apple Pay will verify the card with your bank, which usually takes a few seconds. Once verified, the card appears in your Wallet. If you want this new card to be the one used by default when you tap your phone to pay, tap it, select the three dots, and choose "Set as Default."
You can also add a card by taking a photo of it — point your camera at the card and Apple Pay will read the number and expiration date automatically. This is faster than typing, though you'll still need to enter the CVV manually for security.
What happens when you remove a card from Apple Pay
Removing a card from Apple Pay only affects this app. Your bank still considers the card active, and you can still use the physical card to swipe or insert at a store or ATM. You can still use the card online by entering the number manually. The only thing that stops working is contactless payment through your phone.
If you removed the card because it expired, you'll want to contact your bank to request a replacement card. If you removed it because it was lost or stolen, call your bank when ready to report it and request a new card — don't wait. Your bank can freeze the card right away, which Apple Pay cannot do.
Changing your default card for payments
Your default card is the one that charges automatically when you hold your phone near a contactless reader without selecting a specific card. To change which card is default, open Wallet, tap the card you want to use most often, select the three dots, and choose "Set as Default." That card will now be the one used unless you manually select a different one during a transaction.
You can change your default card as many times as you want. This is useful if you have a rewards card you want to use for most purchases but occasionally switch to a different card for specific transactions.
Updating card details without removing the card
If your card number stays the same but other details change — for example, your bank issued you a new expiration date or you changed your name — you may be able to update the card in place. Open Wallet, tap the card, select the three dots, and look for an "Edit" or "Card Details" option. Not all banks support this, so you may see a message directing you to contact your bank instead.
If your bank doesn't allow editing in Apple Pay, remove the old card and add the new one with the updated information. This takes about the same amount of time and ensures Apple Pay has the correct details.
Troubleshooting when a card won't change or remove
If you tap the three dots and don't see the option you expect, make sure you're on the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Open Settings, go to General, then Software Update, and install any available updates. Sometimes Apple Pay features require the newest operating system version.
If a card won't remove, it may be set as your default card. Try setting a different card as default first, then remove the one you don't want. If you still can't remove it, restart your device and try again. If the problem persists, contact your bank — in rare cases, a bank's security settings prevent removal until you call them directly.
If you're trying to add a new card and it keeps getting rejected, double-check that you've entered the number, expiration date, and CVV exactly as they appear on the card. If it's still rejected after you've verified the details, contact your bank. They may need to clear a fraud block or confirm that you're trying to add the card to Apple Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one card on Apple Pay?
Yes. You can store up to 12 cards on a single device. This means you don't have to remove an old card to add a new one — you can keep both and switch between them as needed. One card will be your default, but you can choose a different card during any transaction.
If I remove a card from Apple Pay, will my bank close the account?
No. Removing a card from Apple Pay only removes it from this app. Your bank account and card remain open and active. You can still use the physical card or the card number for online purchases. If you want to close the account, you need to contact your bank separately.
What should I do if my card was stolen?
Call your bank when ready — don't wait to remove it from Apple Pay first. Your bank can freeze the card right away, which stops any charges. Once your bank has secured the card, you can remove it from Apple Pay. Your bank will send you a replacement card, which you can add to Apple Pay once it arrives.
Does Apple Pay store my actual card number?
No. Apple Pay stores an encrypted version of your card and uses a unique token for each transaction. Your actual card number is never shared with stores or merchants. This makes Apple Pay more find than handing over your physical card or typing your number into a website.
Can I change my default card without removing the old one?
Yes. You can have multiple cards in Apple Pay and change which one is default whenever you want. Just tap the card you want to use most often, select the three dots, and choose "Set as Default." The old card stays in your Wallet and you can still use it by selecting it manually during a transaction.