Remove a credit card from Apple Wallet in three steps
To disable a credit card on your iPhone, you open the Wallet app, find the card you want to remove, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon. The card is then deleted from your phone and can no longer be used for Apple Pay transactions. If you want to use that card again later, you will need to add it back manually.
This process takes less than a minute and does not affect your actual credit card account — your bank still has the card active, and you can still use the physical card or add it to other devices. Removing it from your iPhone only stops it from working through Apple Pay on that specific phone.
Key Takeaways
- Open Wallet, swipe left on the card you want to remove, and tap the trash icon to delete it from your iPhone.
- Removing a card from Apple Wallet does not close the account or affect your credit — it only stops Apple Pay access on that phone.
- If you forgot your passcode or Face ID, you can still remove cards by going to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and selecting the card to delete.
- You can add the card back to your iPhone at any time by opening Wallet and tapping the plus icon to re-enter the card details.
- If you want to prevent someone else from using your cards on your phone, you can require authentication for every Apple Pay transaction in Settings.
Step-by-step: Delete a card from Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your home screen. Look for the card you want to remove — you may have multiple cards stored, so make sure you are looking at the right one.
Press and hold the card, or swipe left across it with one finger. A trash icon will appear on the right side of the card. Tap the trash icon once. A confirmation message will ask if you want to remove the card — tap "Remove" or "Delete" to confirm.
The card is now gone from your Wallet. You will no longer see it in the app, and it cannot be used for Apple Pay on this iPhone. The process is when ready.
Remove a card if you cannot use Wallet
If you have trouble opening Wallet or swiping does not work, you can delete cards through your iPhone Settings instead. Go to Settings, scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap the card you want to remove.
On the card details screen, scroll to the bottom and tap "Remove Card" or "Delete." Confirm when prompted. This method works even if you have not set up Face ID or a passcode, though Apple Pay itself requires authentication to use.
Temporarily disable Apple Pay instead of removing the card
If you want to keep the card in Wallet but stop it from being used without your permission, you do not have to delete it. Instead, you can require authentication for every transaction. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and turn on "Require Authentication for Purchases" or "Require Verification."
Now every time someone tries to use Apple Pay with your card, they will need to unlock your phone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. This is useful if you want to keep the card stored but prevent accidental or unauthorized use. You can turn this setting off again at any time.
What happens to your actual credit card account
Removing a card from Apple Wallet does nothing to your bank account or credit card. Your card remains open and active with your bank. You can still use the physical card to make purchases, and your credit limit and balance are unchanged.
Your bank has no record that you deleted the card from your phone — they only know about the card itself. If you want to actually close the card account, you must contact your bank directly. Removing it from Wallet is purely a phone-level action.
Add the card back to your iPhone later
If you deleted a card and want to use Apple Pay with it again, open Wallet and tap the plus icon in the top right corner. You can then add the card by entering the card number, expiration date, and security code, or by using your camera to scan the card.
Your bank may ask you to verify the card again through a text message or app notification. Once verified, the card will be ready to use in Apple Pay. You can add and remove cards as many times as you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a card from Apple Wallet hurt my credit score?
No. Removing a card from your iPhone has no effect on your credit. Your credit score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors tied to your actual bank accounts — not on whether you use Apple Pay. Your bank will not even know you deleted the card from your phone.
Can I remove someone else's card from my iPhone?
Yes, if you have access to the phone. Anyone with the passcode or biometric access can open Wallet and delete any card. If you are concerned about unauthorized access, enable "Require Authentication for Purchases" in Settings so that Face ID or a passcode is needed before any Apple Pay transaction goes through.
What if I deleted a card by mistake?
You can add it back when ready. Open Wallet, tap the plus icon, and re-enter the card details or scan it with your camera. Your bank may ask you to verify it again, but the process is the same as adding a new card. You have not lost any information — the card itself is still active at your bank.
Will my bank know I removed the card from Apple Pay?
No. Your bank has no visibility into your iPhone's Wallet app. They only know about the card account itself. Removing it from Apple Pay is a local action on your phone and does not send any notification to your bank or affect your account in any way.
Can I disable Apple Pay entirely instead of removing just one card?
Yes. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle off "Double-Click Side Button" (or "Double-Click Home Button" on older iPhones). This disables Apple Pay on your phone entirely. You can turn it back on the same way. Individual cards will still be stored in Wallet, but none of them will work for contactless payments.