Removing a card from PayPal takes three steps and takes less than a minute
To delete 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 card is then removed from your account when ready. You can still see the transaction history with that card, but you cannot use it to pay through PayPal anymore.
The process is the same whether you want to remove your primary card, a backup card, or a card you no longer use. PayPal does not charge you to remove a card, and removing it does not affect any active subscriptions or recurring payments unless that card was the one funding them.
Key Takeaways
- Log into PayPal, select Wallet, find your card, and click the delete button to remove it permanently from your account.
- Removing a card does not cancel subscriptions or recurring payments — you must update those separately if they were using that card.
- If you delete your only payment method, PayPal will prompt you to add a new one before you can make purchases.
- Deleted cards remain in your transaction history for record-keeping, but PayPal will not store the card number itself.
Step-by-step: How to delete a card in the PayPal app or website
On the PayPal website, log in and click your name or profile icon in the top right corner. Select Account Settings, then click Wallet on the left side. You will see a list of all cards and bank accounts linked to your account. Find the card you want to remove, click the three dots or menu icon next to it, and select Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. Click Confirm, and the card is removed.
On the PayPal mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet, then find the card you want to delete. Swipe left on the card (iPhone) or long-press it (Android), then tap Delete. Confirm when prompted. The card is removed from your account when ready on both platforms.
If you cannot find the Wallet section, make sure you are logged in with the correct account. Some older app versions may have the payment methods under Settings instead of Wallet — updating your app to the latest version will show the current layout.
What happens to recurring payments and subscriptions when you delete a card
If you delete a card that is funding an active subscription or recurring payment, that payment will fail the next time it is due. PayPal will not automatically switch to a different card on file. You must manually update the payment method for any subscription before deleting the card, or the subscription will stop working.
To update a subscription's payment method, go to Account Settings, select Payments, then Manage automatic payments. Find the subscription in the list, click it, and select Update payment method. Choose a different card or bank account from your Wallet, then save the change. After that, you can safely delete the old card.
If you delete a card and a subscription fails, you will receive an email from PayPal notifying you of the failed payment. You can update the payment method at that point, but the subscription may be temporarily paused until you do.
Deleting your only payment method: what you need to know
If the card you are deleting is the only payment method on your account, PayPal will not let you complete the deletion until you add a new one. You will see a message saying you need at least one payment method on file. This is a safety measure to keep your account functional.
If you want to remove all cards from your account, add a bank account first, then delete the cards one by one. A bank account counts as a valid payment method and will satisfy PayPal's requirement. You can also add a new card before deleting the old one if you prefer not to use a bank account.
Why you might want to delete a card from PayPal
The most common reason to delete a card is that it has expired or been replaced. If your card issuer sent you a new card with a new number, you should add the new card to PayPal and delete the old one. This prevents PayPal from trying to charge a card that no longer works.
You might also delete a card if you are closing that account with the card issuer, if you no longer want to use that card for online purchases, or if you are concerned about security and want to reduce the number of places where your card number is stored. Removing unused cards from PayPal is a reasonable part of managing your financial accounts.
If a card has been compromised or you suspect fraud, delete it when ready and contact your card issuer to report the issue. PayPal will not charge the card after you delete it, but your card issuer may still need to issue you a replacement card.
How to find and delete a card if you do not remember which one it is
PayPal shows the last four digits of each card in your Wallet, along with the card brand (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and the expiration date. Use this information to identify which card you want to delete. If you have multiple cards from the same issuer, the last four digits will help you tell them apart.
If you still cannot identify the card, check your email for PayPal transaction receipts. The receipts show which card was used for each purchase, including the last four digits. You can also call your card issuer and ask them to confirm which cards are currently active in your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo deleting a card from PayPal?
No, deletion is permanent. However, you can add the same card back to your account at any time by going to Wallet and selecting Add a card. You will need to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV again. PayPal does not store this information after deletion, so you will need the physical card or your card issuer's records to re-add it.
Will deleting a card affect my PayPal credit score or history?
No. Removing a card from PayPal does not affect your credit score, credit report, or payment history with your card issuer. It only removes the card from your PayPal account. Your card issuer and credit bureaus will not see this action.
What if I delete a card by mistake?
You can add it back when ready by going to Wallet and selecting Add a card. Enter the card details again, and it will be restored to your account. If you do not remember the card number, contact your card issuer for the information or check your physical card.
Do I need to tell my card issuer when I delete a card from PayPal?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal does not close the card or notify your card issuer. The card itself remains active with your bank. You only need to contact your card issuer if you want to close the card account entirely or if the card has been compromised.
Can I delete a card that has a pending charge on it?
Yes, you can delete a card even if a charge is pending. The pending charge will still go through because it was already authorized before you deleted the card. Deletion only prevents new charges from being made with that card going forward.