Deleting a credit card from PayPal takes about two minutes
To remove a credit card from PayPal, log into your account, go to your wallet, find the card you want to delete, and select the remove option. PayPal will confirm the deletion when ready. You can delete a card whether or not it's your primary payment method, though you cannot delete your only payment method on file.
The process is the same whether you're using PayPal on a computer or the mobile app. If you're deleting a card because it's expired, compromised, or you straightforward don't use it anymore, removing it keeps your account clean and reduces the number of payment options PayPal displays when you check out.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete any credit card from your PayPal wallet except the one set as your primary payment method.
- The deletion happens when ready and PayPal does not charge you to remove a card.
- If the card you want to delete is your primary method, you must first set a different card or bank account as primary.
- Deleting a card from PayPal does not close the card itself or affect your credit — it only removes PayPal's access to it.
How to delete a card on a computer
Open PayPal in your web browser and sign in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, then select Wallet from the left menu.
Under the Wallet section, you'll see all your saved payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the card you want to remove and click the three dots (or menu icon) next to it. Select Remove from the dropdown menu. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click Remove again, and the card is gone from your account.
How to delete a card on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Wallet to see all your saved payment methods.
Swipe left on the card you want to delete (on iPhone) or long-press the card (on Android). A delete or remove option will appear. Tap it and confirm when PayPal asks you to verify the deletion. The card is removed when ready.
What to do if the card is set as your primary payment method
PayPal does not allow you to delete your primary payment method. If you try to remove a card that's currently set as primary, PayPal will show you a message saying you need to choose a different primary method first.
To change your primary payment method, go to your Wallet, find the card or bank account you want to use instead, click the three dots next to it, and select Make Primary. Once a different method is primary, you can then delete the original card using the steps above.
Deleting a card does not close the card or affect your credit
Removing a credit card from PayPal only removes PayPal's permission to charge that card. The card itself remains open with your bank or credit card company, and your credit score is not affected. You can still use the card anywhere else, and the card issuer will continue to report your account activity to credit bureaus as normal.
If you want to actually close the credit card, you need to contact your bank or card issuer directly — PayPal deletion does not do that. Deleting the card from PayPal is straightforward a way to stop PayPal from having access to it.
Reasons to delete a card from PayPal
You might delete a card because it's expired and you've added a new one, because you no longer use that card, or because you want to reduce clutter in your wallet. Some people delete cards after they've been compromised or after a data breach, though this is optional — you can also just stop using the card and let it expire naturally.
If you're concerned about security, deleting unused cards is a reasonable step. It means PayPal cannot charge a card you're not actively using, and it reduces the number of places where that card number is stored.
What happens to pending or past transactions
Deleting a card from PayPal does not affect transactions you've already made with that card. Past purchases, refunds, and disputes remain on your PayPal record and your card statement. If a refund is pending and PayPal needs to return money to that card, the refund may fail if the card is no longer on file — in that case, PayPal will contact you to ask for an alternative payment method to receive the refund.
For this reason, it's usually best to wait until any pending refunds or disputes are fully resolved before deleting a card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a card if I have an active subscription or recurring payment set up with it?
No. If a card is linked to an active subscription or automatic payment, PayPal will not let you delete it. You must first cancel the subscription or change the payment method for the recurring charge to a different card or bank account. After that, you can delete the card.
Will PayPal notify me when I delete a card?
PayPal does not send you an email notification when you delete a card. The deletion is when ready and silent. If you want a record of what you removed, you can take a screenshot before you delete it, but PayPal does not log this action in your transaction history.
Can I restore a card after I delete it?
No. Once you delete a card, it is gone from your PayPal wallet. If you want to use that card with PayPal again, you'll need to add it back manually by entering the card number, expiration date, and CVV. PayPal will not automatically restore it.
What if I delete a card by mistake?
You can add the card back to your PayPal wallet at any time by going to your Wallet, clicking "Add a card," and entering the card details again. There is no waiting period or penalty for re-adding a card you've deleted.
Does deleting a card from PayPal delete it from other websites?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal only removes it from PayPal. If you've saved that same card with Amazon, Apple, or any other website, it remains on file there. You would need to delete it separately from each service.