How to remove your old bank and add a new one
To change the bank account linked to Apple Pay, you remove the old card first, then add the new one. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you're switching banks entirely or adding a second account. You do this in the Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch — not through your bank's app.
Apple Pay stores your card details on your device, not on Apple's servers, so changing banks doesn't affect your payment history or transaction record. Your old card stops working for Apple Pay the moment you remove it, but the card itself remains active at your bank for other purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Remove your old card from Wallet, then add your new bank's card by photographing it or entering the details by hand.
- Your bank's app does not control Apple Pay — you must make all changes in the Wallet app on your device.
- If your bank issues a new card number (not just a replacement with the same number), you need to add it as a separate card in Wallet.
- Apple Pay works immediately after you add a card; there is no waiting period or activation step.
- Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close the account at your bank or affect your credit.
Steps to remove your old card from Apple Pay
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone. Tap the card you want to remove — the one linked to your old bank. Tap the three dots (or the menu icon) in the top right corner of the card. Scroll down and tap Remove Card. Confirm by tapping Remove again when the app asks you to verify.
On an iPad, the steps are identical: Wallet app, select the card, menu icon, Remove Card, confirm. On an Apple Watch, open the Wallet app, swipe left on the card you want to remove, tap the trash icon, then confirm.
After you remove the card, it no longer works for Apple Pay payments. If you use that card elsewhere — at a store, online, or through another app — it continues to work normally. Removing it from Apple Pay only stops it from being available in Wallet.
How to add your new bank card to Apple Pay
Open Wallet and tap the plus sign in the top right corner. Choose Debit or Credit Card. You can now photograph the front of your new card or enter the details by hand. If you photograph it, hold the card flat under good lighting and let the camera read the card number and expiration date. If you type manually, enter the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back.
After you enter or photograph the card, tap Next. Your bank's name should appear automatically. If it does not, scroll down and select your bank from the list. Then tap Next again.
Your bank may ask you to verify your identity before the card is added to Apple Pay. This usually means entering a code sent to your phone or email, or answering security questions you set up with the bank. Follow the prompts on screen. Once verification is complete, the card appears in Wallet and is ready to use immediately.
What happens if your bank issued a new card number
If your bank closed your old account and issued a completely new card number, you must add it as a separate card in Wallet. The old card number no longer works, so removing the old card and adding the new one is the only option.
If your bank simply sent you a replacement card with the same number — because the old one was damaged or expiring — you may not need to do anything. Some banks update Apple Pay automatically when they reissue a card with the same number. Check your Wallet app a few days after receiving the new card; if the expiration date has updated, your bank handled it for you. If not, remove the old card and add the new one using the steps above.
Troubleshooting: Card won't add to Apple Pay
If you try to add a card and Apple Pay rejects it, the most common reason is that your bank does not support Apple Pay yet. Not every bank or credit union offers this service. Check your bank's website or call their customer service line to confirm they accept Apple Pay. If they do, ask whether there are any restrictions — some banks limit Apple Pay to certain account types or require you to use their app first.
A second common reason is that the card details you entered do not match what your bank has on file. Make sure the name, address, and card number are exactly as they appear on your bank's records. If you photographed the card, try entering the details by hand instead; camera errors are rare but possible.
If your bank supports Apple Pay and your details are correct, restart your iPhone and try again. If the card still will not add, contact your bank's customer service. They can see whether the card is flagged in their system and can sometimes add it to Apple Pay on their end.
Using multiple bank accounts in Apple Pay
You can add as many cards as you want to Apple Pay. Each card appears as a separate tile in your Wallet. When you pay, you choose which card to use — either by tapping the one you want before you hold your phone to the reader, or by selecting it from the list that appears during the transaction.
You can set a default card so that Apple Pay uses it automatically unless you choose a different one. Open Wallet, tap the three dots on any card, scroll down, and tap Set as Default Card. This is useful if you have a primary account you use most of the time but want to keep other cards available for specific purposes.
What to do if you forgot which card is linked to Apple Pay
Open Wallet and look at the cards displayed. Each one is currently linked to Apple Pay. If you want to know which bank a card belongs to, tap it — the bank name appears at the top. If you see a card you no longer use or no longer own, remove it using the steps in the "Steps to remove your old card from Apple Pay" section above.
You can also check your payment history to see which card was used for recent transactions. Open Wallet, tap a card, then tap Transactions or Recent Transactions (the exact label varies by bank). This shows you every payment made with that card through Apple Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my bank card in Apple Pay affect my credit score?
No. Removing a card from Apple Pay or adding a new one has no effect on your credit. The change only affects how you pay — it does not close any accounts or create new ones at your bank.
Can I use Apple Pay right after I add a new card?
Usually yes, immediately. Some banks require a verification step (a code sent to your phone or email) before the card is active, which takes a few minutes. After verification is complete, the card works right away.
What happens to my old card if I remove it from Apple Pay?
The card itself remains active at your bank. Removing it from Apple Pay only stops it from working in Wallet — you can still use it to pay in stores, online, or through other apps. The card continues to work normally everywhere else.
Do I need to tell my bank before I add a new card to Apple Pay?
No. Your bank does not need advance notice. When you add the card, your bank may ask you to verify your identity (usually by entering a code), but that is part of the automatic process. You do not need to call them first.
Can I add a card from a different bank to the same Apple Pay wallet?
Yes. You can add cards from as many different banks as you want. Each card appears in Wallet, and you choose which one to use when you pay.