The fastest way to delete a card from Apple Pay
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the card you want to remove, then tap the three dots in the top right corner and select "Remove This Card." On an Apple Watch, open the Wallet app, swipe left on the card, and tap the trash icon. The card is gone from Apple Pay when ready, though it stays in your credit card account with the issuer — you're only removing it from this device.
If you're using an older iPhone or can't find the three-dot menu, you can also go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, tap the card, scroll down, and select "Remove Card." The steps vary slightly by iOS version, but the end result is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a card from Apple Pay removes it only from that device and does not close the card or affect your credit account.
- You can delete a card in the Wallet app by tapping the three-dot menu, or through Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
- On an Apple Watch, swipe left on the card and tap the trash icon to remove it.
- If you want to stop using the card entirely, you'll need to contact your card issuer separately to close the account.
Deleting a card from your iPhone or iPad
Start by opening the Wallet app — the icon that looks like a stack of cards. Find the card you want to delete and tap it to bring it to the front. In the top right corner, you'll see three dots arranged vertically (sometimes called a menu icon). Tap those dots and look for "Remove This Card" or "Delete Card" in the menu that appears.
Tap the option to remove the card. You may see a confirmation message asking if you're sure — tap "Remove" or "Confirm" to finish. The card disappears from your Wallet app when ready. If you change your mind later, you can add the same card back by opening Wallet, tapping the plus icon, and following the prompts to re-enter the card details.
Deleting a card from your Apple Watch
On an Apple Watch, the process is slightly different because the screen is smaller. Open the Wallet app on your watch and find the card you want to remove. Swipe left on the card — this reveals a trash icon on the right side of the screen. Tap the trash icon to delete the card.
Your watch will confirm the removal. The card is now gone from your watch's Wallet, but it remains on your iPhone if you added it there as well. If you want to remove it from your iPhone too, follow the steps in the previous section.
What happens after you delete a card
Deleting a card from Apple Pay does not close your credit card account, lower your credit limit, or affect your credit score. The card itself still exists with your bank or credit card company. You're straightforward removing the digital version from this particular device.
If you sell, give away, or repair your iPhone or Apple Watch, deleting the card beforehand is a good security step. It prevents someone else from using Apple Pay with your card on that device. However, if you lose a device before deleting the card, contact your card issuer right away — they can remotely disable the card's use in Apple Pay even if you can't access the device.
Removing a card you no longer want to use
If you want to stop using a credit card entirely — not just remove it from Apple Pay — you'll need to take a separate step with your card issuer. Deleting it from Apple Pay is only the first part. Call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your online account and look for a "Close Account" or "Cancel Card" option.
Before closing a card, consider whether it affects your credit. Closing an old card can raise your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit), which may lower your credit score slightly. If the card has no annual fee and you're not using it, you might leave it open and straightforward not carry it or use it — just delete it from Apple Pay if you don't want it on your devices.
If you can't find the delete option
On very old iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier, the three-dot menu may not appear. Instead, go to Settings on your phone, then Wallet & Apple Pay. Tap the card you want to remove, scroll to the bottom of the screen, and look for "Remove Card" or a similar option. Tap it to delete the card.
If you still don't see a delete option, make sure you're logged into iCloud with the same Apple ID you used to add the card. Cards added by a family member through Family Sharing can only be removed by that family member or by a parent if it's a child's account. If that's your situation, ask the person who added the card to remove it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from Apple Pay close my credit card account?
No. Deleting a card from Apple Pay removes it only from your device. Your credit card account stays open with your bank or credit card company. To actually close the account, you must contact your card issuer directly.
Will removing a card from Apple Pay hurt my credit score?
No. Removing a card from Apple Pay has no effect on your credit score because it's just a digital convenience feature. Your actual credit account and payment history remain unchanged.
Can I delete a card from Apple Pay if I still owe a balance?
Yes. You can delete the card from Apple Pay at any time, regardless of your balance. However, you'll still owe the money to your card issuer. You can pay the balance using a different payment method or by logging into your card's online account.
What if I accidentally deleted a card I still need?
You can add it back to Apple Pay when ready. Open Wallet, tap the plus icon, and follow the prompts to re-enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. The card will be restored to your Wallet within seconds.
If I delete a card from my iPhone, is it also deleted from my Apple Watch?
Not automatically. Your iPhone and Apple Watch have separate Wallet apps. You must delete the card from each device separately if you want to remove it from both. However, if you delete a card from iCloud settings, it may remove it from all your Apple devices at once — check your settings to see which option applies to your situation.