Yes, you can add most credit cards to Apple Pay in minutes
You can add a credit card to Apple Pay on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. The process takes about two minutes. Apple Pay then stores your card information securely on your device and lets you pay in stores, online, and in apps without pulling out your physical card.
Not every card works with Apple Pay — some smaller banks and credit unions do not support it yet. Your card issuer has to have partnered with Apple. If your card is not supported, you will see a message when you try to add it, and you can contact your bank to ask when they plan to offer Apple Pay support.
The card you add does not have to be a rewards card, a premium card, or any particular type. A basic credit card from a major bank works the same way as any other.
Key Takeaways
- You add a credit card to Apple Pay through the Wallet app on your device, and the process takes about two minutes.
- Your card issuer must support Apple Pay — most major banks do, but some regional banks and credit unions do not yet.
- Apple Pay stores your card information encrypted on your device, not on Apple's servers, so your actual card number is never shared with merchants.
- You can add the same card to multiple Apple devices, and you can remove it from any device at any time.
How to add a credit card to Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Credit or Debit Card." You can either photograph your card with your device's camera or enter the details by hand. The camera method is faster and makes fewer errors.
After you enter or photograph the card, your bank will send you a verification code by text, email, or through their own app. Enter that code into Apple Pay to confirm you own the card. Some banks skip this step if they recognize your device. Once verified, the card appears in your Wallet and is ready to use.
How to add a credit card to Apple Pay on Apple Watch
You cannot add a card directly to your Apple Watch. Instead, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Wallet and Apple Pay, and tap the plus sign. Photograph or enter your card details there. The card then syncs to your watch automatically.
Your Apple Watch must be paired with your iPhone, and both must be on the same Wi-Fi network or have cellular service for the card to sync. Once it does, you can pay with your watch at any store that accepts Apple Pay.
How to add a credit card to Apple Pay on Mac
Open System Settings on your Mac and go to Wallet and Apple Pay. Click the plus sign and select "Add Credit or Debit Card." You can photograph your card if your Mac has a camera, or type in the details. Your bank will send a verification code, which you enter to complete the process.
A card added on your Mac does not automatically appear on your iPhone or Apple Watch. You have to add it separately on each device if you want to use it everywhere. This is different from how cards sync between your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Which credit cards work with Apple Pay
Most major U.S. banks support Apple Pay, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Capital One. Most credit card networks — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — work with Apple Pay as long as your specific bank has set up the connection.
Some regional banks and credit unions do not yet support Apple Pay. If you try to add your card and see a message saying your bank is not supported, you have two options: contact your bank and ask when they plan to add Apple Pay support, or use a different card from a bank that does support it.
You can add multiple cards to the same device. Many people add both a credit card and a debit card, or cards from different banks. You choose which card to use each time you pay.
How Apple Pay protects your card information
When you add a card to Apple Pay, Apple does not store your actual card number. Instead, your device creates a unique encrypted code called a token. When you pay, the merchant sees only this token, not your real card details. Your card number stays on your device.
Every Apple Pay transaction also requires your fingerprint, face recognition, or device passcode to go through. This means someone who steals your phone cannot use Apple Pay without unlocking it first. If you lose your device, you can remove all cards from it remotely using Find My iPhone.
Removing a credit card from Apple Pay
To remove a card from your iPhone or iPad, open Wallet, press and hold the card, and tap the trash icon. The card is removed when ready and cannot be used for Apple Pay on that device anymore. Your physical card still works everywhere else.
If you lose your device or want to remove a card remotely, go to iCloud.com, sign in, open Find My, select your device, and choose "Remove This Device." All cards stored on that device are removed. You can also contact your bank directly and ask them to deactivate the card from Apple Pay while keeping your physical card active.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my bank does not support Apple Pay?
You cannot add that card to Apple Pay. Contact your bank and ask when they plan to offer Apple Pay support. In the meantime, you can use a different card from a bank that does support it, or continue paying with your physical card or another payment method.
Can I use Apple Pay if I do not have a smartphone?
You need an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac to set up Apple Pay. You cannot use it on Android devices or non-Apple computers. If you do not own an Apple device, you would need to use a different digital wallet like Google Pay or Samsung Pay, depending on your device.
Does Apple Pay charge a fee to add my card?
No. Apple does not charge you to add a card to Apple Pay. Your bank may charge you for the card itself, but that is separate from Apple Pay. Using Apple Pay to pay does not cost extra either — you pay the same amount as you would with your physical card.
Can I add a credit card to Apple Pay if I have a bad credit score?
Yes. Apple Pay does not check your credit score or run a credit report. It only requires that your bank supports Apple Pay and that you can verify you own the card. Your credit history does not affect whether you can add the card to Apple Pay.
What if I add the same card to multiple devices?
You can add the same credit card to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac all at the same time. Each device stores its own encrypted version of the card. If one device is lost or stolen, the card on that device can be removed without affecting the card on your other devices.