How to change or add a bank account in Apple Pay
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the card you want to change, then tap the three dots in the corner and select "Card Details." Scroll down and tap "Bank Account" to change which account the card pulls from. If you're adding a new bank account entirely, tap the plus sign in Wallet, choose "Debit Card," and enter your routing and account numbers when prompted.
The process takes about two minutes. Apple stores your bank details on your device and on Apple's servers using encryption, so the information doesn't sit in plain text anywhere. When you update, the change takes effect immediately for new transactions, though pending payments still pull from the old account.
If you're switching banks or closing an account, update Apple Pay before the old account closes. Once a bank account is closed, transactions will fail and you'll see a decline notice in Wallet. You can still remove the card from Apple Pay at any time without affecting your actual bank account.
Key Takeaways
- You update the bank account linked to an Apple Pay card through the Wallet app by tapping the card, selecting Card Details, and choosing a new Bank Account.
- Changes take effect immediately for new transactions, but payments already in progress will still pull from the old account.
- If your bank account is closed, remove the card from Apple Pay to prevent failed transactions and decline notices.
- Apple encrypts your bank details on your device and its servers, so your routing and account numbers are not stored in readable form anywhere else.
- You can add a new bank account to Apple Pay by tapping the plus sign in Wallet, selecting Debit Card, and entering your routing and account numbers.
When to update your bank account in Apple Pay
Update your account if you're switching banks, closing an account, or moving money to a different checking account at the same bank. You should also update if your bank issued you a new debit card with a different number—the old card will stop working, and Apple Pay will prompt you to add the new one.
If you're simply updating your card because of fraud or a lost card, your bank usually handles this on their end. Call your bank's fraud line, and they'll issue a new card number. Apple Pay will often update automatically within a few hours, but you can speed this up by removing the old card from Wallet and adding the new one manually.
Do not wait until your old account is closed to update. Once the account closes, any pending Apple Pay transactions will fail, and you may see a decline notice on your phone and in your transaction history. If you're closing an account, update Apple Pay at least a week before the closure date.
Step-by-step: updating an existing card's bank account
Open the Wallet app and find the card you want to change. Tap and hold the card, or tap it once and wait for options to appear. Look for a three-dot menu icon (⋯) in the corner of the card preview. Tap it and select "Card Details" from the menu that appears.
Scroll down until you see "Bank Account" listed. Tap it to see a list of bank accounts you've already added to your device. Select the new account you want to use. If the account you need isn't listed, tap "Add Bank Account" and enter your routing number and account number when prompted. Your bank's routing number is usually printed on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find it on your bank's website or by calling customer service.
After you select the new account, tap "Done" or "Save." The change takes effect immediately. Any new transactions using Apple Pay will pull from the new account. Transactions that were already processing before you made the change will still pull from the old account, so check your bank's app over the next few days to confirm everything went through correctly.
Adding a completely new bank account to Apple Pay
If you want to add a bank account you've never used with Apple Pay before, open Wallet and tap the plus sign (+) in the top right corner. Select "Debit Card" from the options (Apple Pay works with debit cards, not credit cards, for direct bank transfers). Choose "Continue" when prompted.
You can either scan your debit card with your phone's camera or enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV manually. After that, you'll be asked to enter your routing number and account number. Your routing number identifies your specific bank branch; your account number identifies your checking or savings account within that bank. Both are required for Apple Pay to link to your bank account.
Once you've entered this information, Apple will verify the account by making two small test deposits to your bank account (usually $0.01 each). Check your bank account online or in your bank's app within one to two business days, and you'll see these deposits. Apple will then ask you to confirm the amounts. After confirmation, the account is fully linked and ready to use.
What happens to pending transactions when you change accounts
Transactions that are already in progress when you update your bank account will still pull from the old account. This means if you sent money to a friend through Apple Pay five minutes before updating your account, that payment will still come from your old bank account, not the new one.
The timing depends on how the transaction was sent. Peer-to-peer payments through Apple Pay Cash or similar services usually settle within minutes to a few hours. Payments to merchants (like at a store or restaurant) settle within one to three business days. During this window, the money is still tied to your old account, even if you've already updated Apple Pay.
This is why it's important to keep your old account open for at least a week after updating Apple Pay, especially if you use Apple Pay frequently. If you close the old account too soon, a pending transaction could fail and bounce back, creating a delay in the payment reaching the recipient.
Removing a bank account from Apple Pay
If you want to stop using a particular bank account with Apple Pay without adding a new one, open Wallet, tap the card linked to that account, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Remove Card." The card will disappear from Wallet immediately, and no new transactions can use that account.
Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close your bank account or affect your banking relationship with that bank. It only disconnects Apple Pay from that account. You can add the same account back to Apple Pay at any time by following the steps above.
If your bank account is closed and you haven't removed the card from Apple Pay yet, remove it as soon as you notice. A closed account linked to Apple Pay will cause transactions to fail, and you may see repeated decline notices. Removing the card prevents new transaction attempts from being made against a closed account.
Troubleshooting: card not updating or transactions still failing
If you updated your bank account in Apple Pay but transactions are still pulling from the old account, wait 24 hours. Apple Pay sometimes takes time to sync the change across your devices. Restart your iPhone or iPad to speed up the sync. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, and make sure Wallet is toggled on so your changes sync to the cloud.
If transactions are still failing after 24 hours, check with your bank. Call your bank's customer service line and confirm that your account is open and active. Ask whether there are any holds or restrictions on your account that might be blocking Apple Pay transactions. Some banks require you to call and authorize Apple Pay before it will work, especially if you're using a new account or device.
If your old account is closed and you're seeing decline notices, remove the card from Apple Pay immediately. Then add your new account following the steps above. If you're still seeing errors after removing the old card, restart your iPhone and try adding the new account again. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support through the Wallet app or visit apple.com/support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Apple Pay with a savings account instead of checking?
Most banks allow Apple Pay to link to either checking or savings accounts, but some restrict it to checking only. When you add your account to Apple Pay, your bank will tell you which account types are supported. If your savings account isn't an option, you'll need to use your checking account instead.
What if I don't know my routing number?
Your routing number is printed on the bottom left of your checks. If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details or routing information. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number—they'll provide it immediately.
Do I need to tell my bank before updating Apple Pay?
No, you don't need to call your bank first. Apple Pay communicates directly with your bank's systems when you add or update an account. Your bank will see the new connection and may send you a notification, but you don't need to authorize it beforehand unless your bank has specific security requirements.
Will updating Apple Pay affect my credit score?
No. Updating your bank account in Apple Pay is an internal change to how you send money. It doesn't create a hard inquiry, doesn't report to credit bureaus, and has no effect on your credit score or credit history.
Can I have multiple bank accounts linked to Apple Pay at once?
Yes. You can add as many bank accounts as you want to Apple Pay. Each card in your Wallet can be linked to a different account. When you make a payment, you choose which card to use, and that determines which bank account the money comes from.