Delete a card in three steps from your PayPal wallet
To remove a credit card from PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, find the card you want to delete, and select the delete option next to it. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The card is then removed from your account and cannot be charged. The process takes less than a minute.
You do not need to contact PayPal support or wait for approval. You can delete a card at any time, even if you have used it recently. If you delete a card by mistake, you can add it back by entering the card number again.
Key Takeaways
- Log in to PayPal, click Wallet, and select the card you want to remove to see the delete button.
- PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion before the card is permanently removed from your account.
- Deleting a card from PayPal does not close the card itself or affect your bank account — it only removes PayPal's access to it.
- If you delete a card and later want to use it again with PayPal, you can re-add it by entering the card details once more.
- Removing a card does not cancel any active subscriptions or recurring payments that use that card — you must change or cancel those separately.
Where to find the delete button on desktop
Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. Click your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account Settings from the dropdown menu.
In Account Settings, click Wallet on the left side. 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 click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Delete from the options that appear. PayPal will show a confirmation message asking "Are you sure?" Click Yes, delete it to finish.
How to delete a card on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Tap Wallet. You will see your linked cards and payment methods.
Swipe left on the card you want to delete (on iPhone) or long-press the card (on Android). A delete button will appear. Tap it and confirm when PayPal asks you to verify. The card is then removed from your mobile wallet and your account.
What happens to subscriptions and recurring charges when you delete a card
If you delete a card that is set as the payment method for a subscription or recurring payment, that charge will not automatically move to another card. Instead, the payment will fail the next time it is due. The merchant or service may send you a notice that the payment could not go through.
Before you delete a card, check whether any subscriptions or monthly charges use it. Log into your PayPal account, go to Account Settings, and click Payments or Subscriptions (the exact name varies by account type). If you see any active subscriptions, update them to use a different card before you delete the old one. This prevents service interruptions.
The difference between deleting a card and disputing a charge
Deleting a card removes it from your PayPal account so it cannot be used for future purchases. It does not undo or reverse a charge that has already been made. If you were charged for something you did not authorize or did not receive, you need to dispute the charge separately — deleting the card will not recover that money.
To dispute a charge, go to Resolution Center in your PayPal account and report the transaction. You have a limited window to do this (usually 180 days from the charge date), so act quickly if you need to challenge a payment. Deleting the card is a separate action that only prevents future charges.
What to do if the delete button does not appear
If you cannot see a delete option next to a card, the card may be set as your primary payment method. PayPal requires at least one payment method on file, so you cannot delete your only card. Add a different card or bank account first, then delete the old one.
If you still do not see a delete button after adding another payment method, try logging out and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on desktop. If the problem continues, contact PayPal support through the Help Center — they can manually remove a card if there is a technical issue preventing you from doing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from PayPal close the card or affect my bank account?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal only removes PayPal's access to it. The card itself remains open and active with your bank or credit card company. Your bank account is not affected. If you want to close the card, you must contact your bank or card issuer directly.
Can I delete a card if I have a pending transaction?
Yes, you can delete a card even if a transaction is pending. However, if the pending charge has not yet settled, deleting the card may cause the transaction to fail. Wait for pending charges to complete before deleting the card to avoid payment issues.
What if I delete a card by mistake?
You can add the card back to your account at any time. Go to Wallet, click "Add a card," and enter the card number, expiration date, and security code again. PayPal will verify it, and the card will be linked to your account once more.
Will deleting a card hurt my credit score?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal has no effect on your credit score. Your credit is only affected by your payment history and how much credit you use with the card issuer itself, not by which services have access to the card.