Apple Card raises your limit automatically, but you can request an increase yourself
Goldman Sachs, the bank behind Apple Card, reviews your account periodically and may increase your limit without you asking. But if you want a higher limit sooner, you can request one through the Wallet app. The process takes a few minutes, and Goldman Sachs will tell you when ready whether they can raise it. A request does not hurt your credit score — Goldman Sachs performs a soft inquiry, which does not show up on your credit report the way a hard inquiry does.
The real question is whether you should request an increase at all. A higher limit does not help you unless you plan to carry a balance, and carrying a balance on Apple Card costs you money in interest. If you want the limit for breathing room — to know you have it if you need it — that is a reasonable goal. If you want it to spend more than you can afford to pay back, that is a different story.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a credit limit increase through the Wallet app by tapping your card, selecting the three dots, and choosing "Credit Limit."
- Goldman Sachs performs a soft inquiry when you request an increase, which does not appear on your credit report or affect your credit score.
- You can request an increase once every 91 days, and Goldman Sachs will give you an answer when ready after you submit the request.
- A higher limit only helps if you plan to pay off what you charge; carrying a balance means paying interest at Apple Card's current rate.
- If Goldman Sachs declines your request, waiting three months and reapplying is usually more effective than calling customer service.
How to request a limit increase in the Wallet app
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap your Apple Card. Tap the three dots in the top right corner, then scroll down and tap "Credit Limit." You will see your current limit and an option to request an increase. Tap "Request Increase," and the app will show you what new limit Goldman Sachs might offer based on your account history.
You do not have to accept the offer the app shows you. If it suggests a limit that is higher than you want, you can request a smaller increase instead. Enter the amount you want, then tap "Request." Goldman Sachs will review your request and tell you the result on the same screen within seconds. If approved, your new limit takes effect when ready.
If you have already requested an increase in the past 91 days, the app will tell you when you can request again. Goldman Sachs enforces this waiting period to avoid multiple hard inquiries in a short time, even though each individual request is a soft inquiry.
What Goldman Sachs looks at when you request an increase
Goldman Sachs considers your payment history on the Apple Card itself — whether you have paid on time, how much of your current limit you typically use, and how long you have had the card. They also look at your overall credit profile, including your credit score and history with other lenders, but they do this through a soft inquiry that does not change your score.
If you have missed payments on Apple Card or any other account, or if you have recently opened many new accounts, Goldman Sachs is more likely to decline your request. If you have had the card for less than six months, they may also be more cautious, since they have less history to review.
Using a very high percentage of your current limit — say, 80 or 90 percent — can also work against you. Lenders see high utilization as a sign of financial stress, even if you pay the full balance every month. If you want to improve your chances of approval, try paying down your balance before you request an increase.
The difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry
A soft inquiry is a background check that does not affect your credit score. Goldman Sachs uses soft inquiries when you request a limit increase, and they also happen when you check your own credit or when a company pre-screens you for an offer. Soft inquiries do not show up on the credit reports that lenders see.
A hard inquiry is what happens when you explore for a new credit card, loan, or mortgage. Hard inquiries do show up on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points. The difference matters because you can request an Apple Card limit increase without worrying about damaging your credit, but explore for a new card will have a small negative effect.
If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan in the next few months, you might want to wait before requesting a limit increase on other cards. But an Apple Card limit increase request will not interfere with those applications.
What to do if Goldman Sachs declines your request
If your request is declined, Goldman Sachs will not tell you why. The app straightforward shows "Unable to increase at this time." This does not mean you can never get an increase — it means Goldman Sachs does not want to raise your limit right now based on what they see in your account.
The most effective next step is to wait 91 days and request again. Your payment history will be stronger, your credit score may have improved, and Goldman Sachs will have more recent data to review. Many people who are declined the first time are approved on their second or third request.
Calling Goldman Sachs customer service to ask for a manual review is an option, but it is rarely more effective than waiting and requesting again through the app. Customer service representatives do not have the authority to override the automated decision, and they cannot tell you what would change Goldman Sachs' mind.
When a higher limit actually costs you money
A higher credit limit is only useful if you use it responsibly. If you carry a balance on Apple Card, you pay interest at a variable rate that changes with the prime rate. As of now, that rate ranges from roughly 19 to 22 percent depending on your creditworthiness, but rates change over time and vary by person.
If you charge $1,000 and pay it back over three months, you will pay roughly $30 to $50 in interest alone. Over a year, a $1,000 balance costs you $190 to $220 in interest. A higher limit makes it easier to accumulate a larger balance, which means more interest.
The only scenario where a higher limit saves you money is if you use it as a safety net and never actually carry a balance. If you know you have $5,000 available but you only spend what you can pay off each month, the higher limit does not cost you anything — it just gives you peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does requesting a credit limit increase hurt my credit score?
No. Goldman Sachs performs a soft inquiry, which does not appear on your credit report or affect your score. You can request an increase without worrying about damage to your credit.
How often can I request a credit limit increase?
You can request an increase once every 91 days. If you have already requested one recently, the Wallet app will tell you when you are may be able to access to request again.
What if I want a specific limit amount that Goldman Sachs did not suggest?
You can enter any amount you want when you request an increase. Goldman Sachs will review your request for that specific amount and tell you whether they can approve it.
Can I get a limit increase if I have only had Apple Card for a few months?
It is possible, but less likely. Goldman Sachs prefers to see at least six months of payment history before raising limits. If you have made all your payments on time and kept your utilization low, you may still be approved.
What happens if I do not use my new higher limit?
Nothing negative. Having a higher available limit that you do not use does not cost you money or hurt your credit. It only becomes a problem if you charge more than you can afford to pay back.