How to remove a credit card from PayPal
To remove a credit card from PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, find the card you want to remove, and select the delete option. PayPal will ask you to confirm the removal. The card is then disconnected from your account and cannot be used for payments.
The process takes less than a minute. You can remove a card whether or not it is your primary payment method. If the card you are removing is set as your default, PayPal will prompt you to choose a different payment method before the deletion goes through.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove any credit card from PayPal by going to Wallet, selecting the card, and choosing delete.
- If the card is your default payment method, you must select a different card or bank account before PayPal will let you remove it.
- Removing a card does not affect past transactions or your account history.
- You can add the card back to your account later if you change your mind.
Step-by-step removal process
Open PayPal and sign in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the Wallet option in the menu — it usually appears near the top of the page on desktop, or in the menu icon on mobile.
Click or tap Wallet. You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account: credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the card you want to remove and look for a menu icon (usually three dots or a gear symbol) next to it. Click that icon.
Select Remove or Delete from the menu that appears. PayPal will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the card. Click Confirm or Yes. The card is now disconnected from your account.
What happens if the card is your default payment method
If you try to remove a card that is set as your primary payment method, PayPal will not let you delete it until you choose a different default. Before you can complete the removal, you will need to select another card, a bank account, or your PayPal balance as your new default payment source.
To change your default, go back to Wallet, find the payment method you want to use instead, click the menu icon next to it, and select Make Primary or Set as Default. Once you have done that, you can return to the original card and remove it.
Removing a card linked to an active subscription or recurring payment
If your card is connected to a subscription, recurring payment, or automatic bill payment, you need to handle that first. PayPal will not let you remove a card that is actively being used for a recurring charge.
Before removing the card, log into PayPal, go to Settings, and look for Payments or Subscriptions. Find any recurring payments or subscriptions tied to that card and either cancel them or update them to use a different payment method. Once that is done, you can remove the card from your Wallet.
Why you might want to remove a card
You might remove a card because it has expired, been replaced, or is no longer in use. You may also remove a card if you are concerned about security — for example, if the card was compromised or you suspect unauthorized use. Removing the card prevents it from being used for any new PayPal transactions.
Removing a card does not erase your transaction history or affect any payments you have already made with that card. Your past purchases and records remain in your account.
Adding the card back later
If you remove a card and later decide you want to use it again, you can add it back to your PayPal account. Go to Wallet, select Add a Card or Link a Card, and enter the card details again. PayPal will verify the card, and it will be ready to use.
There is no penalty for removing and re-adding a card. You can do this as many times as you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a card affect my PayPal account or credit score?
No. Removing a card from PayPal only disconnects it from your account — it does not close the card itself or affect your credit. The card remains active with your bank or card issuer. Your credit score is not impacted.
Can I remove a card if I have a pending payment?
If a payment is still processing, you should wait for it to complete before removing the card. Once the transaction is finished, you can remove the card without issue. If you remove a card while a payment is pending, the payment may fail.
What if I forgot which card is my default?
Go to Wallet and look for a label that says Primary, Default, or a checkmark next to one of your cards. That is your default payment method. You can change it by clicking the menu next to any other card and selecting Make Primary.
Can I remove a card without logging in?
No. You must be logged into your PayPal account to remove a card. This is a security measure to protect your account. If you have forgotten your password, use the Forgot Password option on the PayPal login page to reset it.
Does PayPal delete my card information when ready?
Yes. Once you confirm the removal, PayPal disconnects the card from your account right away. The card cannot be used for new payments. PayPal may retain some transaction records for legal and tax reasons, but the card itself is no longer linked to your account.