How to request a credit limit increase on Apple Card
You can request a credit limit increase on Apple Card through the Wallet app on your iPhone, or by calling Goldman Sachs (the bank that issues Apple Card) directly. The process takes a few minutes, but approval is not may provide — Goldman Sachs will review your account history, payment record, and credit report before deciding. Most people who request an increase hear back within days, though some requests take longer.
Apple Card does not automatically raise your credit limit over time the way some other cards do. You have to ask. The bank may also offer you an increase without you asking, which shows up as a notification in your Wallet app — but waiting for that offer means leaving money on the table if you need higher credit now.
Key Takeaways
- You can request a credit increase directly in the Wallet app by tapping your card, selecting "Credit Limit," and choosing "Request Increase," or by calling Goldman Sachs at the number on the back of your card.
- Goldman Sachs will review your payment history, current balance, and credit report, so requesting when you have a clean recent payment record and low balance improves your chances.
- A hard inquiry into your credit report will appear when you request an increase, which may lower your credit score slightly for a few months.
- If your request is denied, you can try again after three to six months if your payment history has improved or your income has increased.
- Requesting an increase does not may provide approval, and the bank may offer you less than you ask for.
Requesting through the Wallet app on iPhone
Open the Wallet app and tap your Apple Card. Scroll down to find the "Credit Limit" section. Tap "Request Increase" (or "View Credit Limit" if you have not requested before). The app will show your current limit and ask how much you want to request. Enter the new amount you are looking for and tap "Request."
The app will tell you right away whether Goldman Sachs needs more information or whether your request is being reviewed. You will get a notification in Wallet when a decision is made. Some decisions come through within hours; others take a few business days. If you are approved, your new limit takes effect when ready.
Calling Goldman Sachs to request an increase
The phone number for Apple Card customer service is on the back of your physical card. Call that number and tell the representative you want to request a credit limit increase. Have your Social Security number and current income information ready — the representative will ask for both.
A phone request works the same way as the app: Goldman Sachs will review your account and let you know the decision before you hang up or within a few business days. Some people prefer calling because they can ask questions about why a request was denied or negotiate the amount offered.
What Goldman Sachs looks at when reviewing your request
The bank focuses on three things: how reliably you have paid your Apple Card bill, how much of your current credit limit you are using, and what your credit report shows. If you have paid on time every month and your balance is low relative to your limit, your request is more likely to be approved. If you have missed payments, paid late, or are using most of your available credit, your request is more likely to be denied.
Goldman Sachs also considers your income and employment status. If you reported a higher income when you opened the account and have not updated it, mentioning a recent raise or job change during a phone request can help. The bank will not verify your income claim on the spot, but it factors into the decision.
The hard inquiry and its effect on your credit score
When you request a credit increase, Goldman Sachs pulls your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry, and it shows up on your credit report for two years. A hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by a few points — usually between 5 and 10 points — and the effect fades over a few months as the inquiry ages.
If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or another major loan soon, you may want to wait to request a credit increase, because multiple hard inquiries in a short time can hurt your score more. If you are not planning to borrow soon, the temporary dip is usually not a concern.
What to do if your request is denied
If Goldman Sachs denies your request, the bank does not always explain why in detail. Common reasons include recent late payments, high credit utilization (using most of your available limit), or a recent hard inquiry from another lender. You can call customer service and ask for more information, though the representative may not be able to tell you exactly what triggered the denial.
Wait three to six months before requesting again. Use that time to pay your balance down, make every payment on time, and avoid explore for other credit. When you request again, your payment history will be stronger and your score will have recovered from the previous hard inquiry. If your income has increased, mention that when you call or request through the app.
Requesting a smaller increase if you were denied
If your request for a large increase was denied, you can try requesting a smaller amount. For example, if you asked for a $5,000 increase and were denied, requesting $2,000 a few months later may succeed. A smaller request is less risky for the bank and may be approved even if a larger one would not be.
Some people also find that calling instead of using the app leads to approval, because a representative can see more context about your account and may have discretion to approve a smaller increase that the automated system would deny. It is worth trying both methods if one does not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will requesting a credit increase hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points for a few months. The effect is usually gone within three to six months. If you are not planning to borrow soon, this small dip is not a major concern.
How often can I request a credit increase?
Goldman Sachs does not publish a specific rule, but most cardholders can request again after three to six months if their first request was denied. If your request was approved, you can typically request again after six months to a year, though the bank may also offer you an increase without you asking.
What if I get approved for less than I requested?
You can accept the smaller increase and request again later, or you can call customer service to ask whether the bank will reconsider. Sometimes a representative can approve a higher amount than the initial offer, especially if you have new information about your income or a strong payment record since you applied.
Does Apple Card offer automatic credit limit increases?
Yes. Goldman Sachs may offer you an increase without you asking, which shows up as a notification in your Wallet app. These offers usually come after several months of on-time payments and low utilization. You can accept or decline the offer in the app.
Can I request an increase if I have missed a payment?
You can request, but your chances of approval are very low. Wait at least six months after a missed payment before requesting, and make sure you have made every payment on time since then. The bank wants to see a clean payment history before raising your limit.