Delete a card by going to your wallet, finding the card, and selecting remove
To delete a credit card from PayPal, sign into your account on a computer or the PayPal app, go to your Wallet, find the card you want to remove, and click or tap the trash icon or "Remove" button next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the card is gone from your account when ready — you cannot use it for payments anymore, and PayPal stops storing it.
The process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless something goes wrong, like the card not appearing in your wallet or the remove button not working.
Key Takeaways
- Sign into PayPal on your computer or phone, then navigate to Wallet to see all your stored cards.
- Click the trash icon or "Remove" button next to the card you want to delete, then confirm the deletion.
- The card is removed from PayPal's system right away, but this does not cancel the card itself or close your bank account.
- If you have an active PayPal Credit or PayPal Working Capital account tied to that card, removing it may affect your ability to use those products.
- You can add the card back later by going to Wallet and selecting "Add a card" — PayPal does not block you from re-adding it.
Step-by-step: removing a card on desktop
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Once you are on your account home page, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, or scroll down to find a link labeled Wallet. Click it.
Your Wallet page shows every card, bank account, and payment method linked to your PayPal account. Find the card you want to remove. Next to it, you will see a trash icon or a three-dot menu. Click the trash icon, or click the three dots and select "Remove" from the dropdown. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking "Are you sure?" Click "Yes" or "Confirm" to finish.
The card disappears from your Wallet when ready. If you try to pay with that card before adding it back, PayPal will tell you it is no longer on file.
Step-by-step: removing a card on the PayPal app
Open the PayPal app and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen on iPhone, or at the top left on Android. Scroll down and tap Wallet.
You will see a list of all your payment methods. Swipe left on the card you want to remove (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). A delete or remove option will appear. Tap it, then confirm when PayPal asks you to verify.
On some versions of the app, you may see a three-dot menu icon next to the card instead. Tap it and select "Remove" from the menu. The result is the same either way.
What happens to your card after you delete it
Deleting a card from PayPal does not cancel the card itself. Your bank or credit card company still owns the card, and it remains active. You can still use it anywhere else — at stores, online, or with other payment apps. Deleting it from PayPal only removes it from PayPal's system.
PayPal stops storing your card number and no longer shows it in your Wallet. However, PayPal keeps a record that you once used that card, so if you ever need to dispute a transaction you made with it, PayPal can still look it up in your transaction history.
If you want to stop the card company from charging you for anything, you need to contact your bank or card issuer directly — deleting it from PayPal does not do that.
When deleting a card might affect your PayPal Credit or other products
If you have PayPal Credit (a line of credit PayPal offers), that account is usually tied to one specific card. If you delete that card, you may lose access to PayPal Credit until you add a new card. The same applies to PayPal Working Capital, a small-business loan product.
Before you delete a card, check whether it is linked to any active PayPal products. If you are not sure, go to your account settings and look for "Credit" or "Financing" sections. If you delete a card and lose access to a product you need, you can add a different card and regain access in most cases.
Removing a card that is set as your primary payment method
If the card you want to delete is marked as your primary or default payment method, PayPal will ask you to choose a different card first. You cannot delete your only payment method — PayPal requires at least one way to pay on file.
To change your primary method, go to Wallet, find another card or bank account, and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select "Make Primary" or "Set as Default." Once you have done that, you can go back and delete the old card.
If the remove button is not working or the card will not delete
Sometimes the remove button does not appear, or clicking it does nothing. This usually happens if your browser is out of date or if you are using an older version of the PayPal app. Try these steps: clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign out and sign back in. On the app, try uninstalling and reinstalling it.
If the card is tied to an active dispute or chargeback, PayPal may lock it in place until the dispute is resolved. You will see a message explaining this. Contact PayPal Support through the app or website if you need to remove a card that is involved in a dispute.
If you still cannot delete the card after trying these steps, use the PayPal Help Center to start a chat or call PayPal's phone line. Have your account email and the last four digits of the card ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from PayPal cancel the card?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal only removes it from your PayPal account. The card itself remains active with your bank or card issuer. You can still use it anywhere else. To cancel the card, you must contact your bank or card company directly.
Can I add the same card back to PayPal after I delete it?
Yes. PayPal does not block you from re-adding a card you have deleted. Go to Wallet, select "Add a Card," and enter the card details again. PayPal will treat it as a new addition to your account.
What if I delete my only payment method?
PayPal will not let you delete your only card or bank account. You must add a different payment method first, then set it as your primary method, before you can delete the old one.
Will deleting a card remove my transaction history?
No. Your past transactions with that card stay in your PayPal transaction history forever. Deleting the card from your Wallet does not erase the record of payments you made with it.
What if my card was used for a subscription or recurring payment?
If you delete a card that is set up for a subscription or automatic payment, that subscription will fail the next time it tries to charge. PayPal will ask you to update the payment method. Add a new card and update the subscription, or the merchant may cancel it.