Delete a card from Apple Wallet in three steps
To remove a credit card from Apple Wallet on your iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap and hold the card you want to delete, then tap the trash icon that appears. On iPad, press and hold the card, then tap the trash icon. On Apple Watch, open the Wallet app, swipe left on the card, and tap the trash icon. The card is removed when ready and you can no longer use it for Apple Pay transactions.
If you cannot see a trash icon, the card may be set as your default payment method. You will need to change your default card first, then delete the original one. This protects you from accidentally removing the card you use most often.
Key Takeaways
- Open Wallet, tap and hold the card on iPhone, then tap the trash icon to delete it.
- If no trash icon appears, change your default payment method to a different card first.
- Deleting a card from Wallet does not close the card itself or affect your bank account.
- You can add the same card back to Wallet at any time by opening Wallet and tapping the plus icon.
Change your default card before deleting it
If the card you want to delete is set as your default payment method, Apple Wallet will not let you remove it without switching to another card first. Your default card is the one that charges automatically when you use Apple Pay without selecting a specific payment method.
To change your default card, open Wallet, tap the three dots in the top right corner, go to Settings, then tap Default Card. Select a different card from your list. Once you have set a new default, you can go back and delete the original card using the trash icon.
Delete a card from Apple Watch
On Apple Watch, the process is slightly different because the screen is smaller. Open the Wallet app on your watch, swipe left on the card you want to remove, and tap the trash icon. The card will be deleted from your watch when ready.
Deleting a card from your Apple Watch does not remove it from your iPhone. If you want to delete it from both devices, you will need to remove it from your iPhone separately using the steps above. Your iPhone and Apple Watch maintain separate Wallet lists, so you can carry different cards on each device if you choose.
Delete a card from iPad
iPad uses the same Wallet app as iPhone but with a slightly different interface. Open Wallet, find the card you want to delete, press and hold it with your finger or trackpad, then tap the trash icon when it appears. The card will be removed from your iPad when ready.
Like Apple Watch, deleting a card from iPad does not affect your iPhone Wallet. Each device maintains its own list of cards, so you can manage them separately. If you want to remove a card from all your Apple devices, you will need to delete it from each one individually.
What happens when you delete a card
Deleting a card from Apple Wallet removes it only from that app and device. Your actual credit card account remains open and active at your bank. You can still use the physical card to make purchases, and the card will continue to appear on your bank statements and account.
Deleting the card from Wallet straightforward means you can no longer use Apple Pay with that card on that device. Your bank has no record of the deletion, and your credit score is not affected. You can add the same card back to Wallet at any time by opening the app and tapping the plus icon to start the setup process again.
Add a card back to Wallet after deleting it
If you delete a card and later decide you want to use it with Apple Pay again, you can add it back without contacting your bank. Open Wallet, tap the plus icon in the top right corner, select Credit or Debit Card, and follow the prompts to re-enter your card information or use your camera to scan it.
Apple will verify the card with your bank, which usually takes a few minutes. Once verification is complete, the card will be active in Wallet again and you can use it for Apple Pay transactions. You can repeat this process as many times as you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from Wallet close the card account?
No. Deleting a card from Apple Wallet only removes it from the app on that device. Your bank account and credit card remain open and active. To close a card, you must contact your bank directly.
Can I delete a card if it is my only payment method in Wallet?
Yes, you can delete your only card. However, you will not be able to use Apple Pay until you add another card. You can add a new card at any time by opening Wallet and tapping the plus icon.
Will deleting a card from my iPhone also remove it from my Apple Watch?
No. Your iPhone and Apple Watch maintain separate Wallet lists. You must delete the card from each device separately if you want to remove it from both.
What if the trash icon does not appear when I hold down the card?
The trash icon will not appear if the card is set as your default payment method. Change your default card to a different one first, then try deleting the original card again.
Can I add the same card back after deleting it?
Yes. Open Wallet, tap the plus icon, and follow the prompts to add the card again. Apple will verify it with your bank, which usually takes a few minutes.