Change your payment method in Wallet on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
To change which card or bank account Apple Pay uses for a transaction, open Wallet, tap or click the card you want to replace, then tap the three dots (or right-click on Mac) and select Edit. From there you can remove the card entirely or update its details. If you want to set a different card as your default for future payments, tap Make This My Default Card after editing.
The steps differ slightly depending on your device. On iPhone and iPad, swipe left on the card in Wallet to see the edit option. On Mac, right-click the card and choose Edit Card. You can also go to Settings > Wallet and Apple Pay on iPhone to manage all your cards in one place.
If you want to add a new card instead of editing an old one, tap the plus sign in Wallet and follow the prompts to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Apple will verify the card with your bank before it becomes active.
Key Takeaways
- Edit a card in Wallet by tapping the three dots, then selecting Edit, and you can update details or remove it entirely.
- Set a different card as your default by editing it and tapping Make This My Default Card.
- On Mac, right-click the card instead of tapping three dots to access the edit menu.
- Adding a new card requires the card number, expiration date, and CVV, and Apple verifies it with your bank before activation.
- You can manage all your cards from Settings > Wallet and Apple Pay on iPhone without opening Wallet itself.
Remove a card from Apple Pay without deleting it from your account
Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close the card or affect your account with the bank. It only stops the card from being available in Wallet on that device. Open Wallet, tap the card, select the three dots, tap Edit, scroll to the bottom, and tap Remove Card. Confirm the removal when prompted.
If you remove a card that was set as your default, Apple Pay will automatically assign the next card in your list as the new default. You can always add the card back later by tapping the plus sign in Wallet and re-entering its details.
Change your default card for contactless payments
Your default card is the one that appears first when you double-click the side button on iPhone or hold your device near a contactless reader. To change it, open Wallet, tap the card you want to make default, tap the three dots, and select Make This My Default Card. On iPad or Mac, the process is the same but you use right-click instead of tapping three dots.
You can also set a default card in Settings > Wallet and Apple Pay > Default Card. This method is faster if you have many cards and do not want to open Wallet.
Update card details without removing and re-adding
If your card number, expiration date, or CVV has changed, you can edit the card directly in Wallet. Tap the card, select the three dots, tap Edit, and update the information. Apple will re-verify the card with your bank, which usually takes a few minutes.
If your card was replaced due to fraud or expiration, your bank may have already updated the card details in Apple Pay automatically. Check Wallet to see if the expiration date has changed. If it has not, edit the card manually with the new date.
Switch to a different card for a single transaction
You do not have to change your default card to use a different one for one payment. At the point of sale—whether online, in an app, or in a store—you can select a different card from your Wallet. In a store, double-click the side button, swipe to the card you want, and hold your iPhone near the reader. Online or in an app, the payment screen will show your default card, but you can tap it to see all available cards and choose another.
This is useful if you want to keep one card as your default but occasionally use another for specific purchases or merchants.
Restore a card you removed from Apple Pay
If you removed a card and want to add it back, open Wallet, tap the plus sign, and re-enter the card details. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Apple will verify it with your bank again, which takes a few minutes. Once verified, the card will be active in Wallet and available for payments.
You do not need to contact your bank or do anything on your bank's website to restore a card to Apple Pay. The entire process happens within Wallet on your device.
Manage cards across multiple Apple devices
If you use Apple Pay on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, your cards sync across all devices through iCloud. When you add or remove a card on one device, it updates on the others automatically. However, your default card setting does not sync—you can set a different default card on each device.
If a card does not appear on one of your devices, make sure you are signed in to the same iCloud account on all devices and that iCloud Keychain is turned on. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Keychain on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I change my card while a payment is processing?
Changing your card in Wallet does not affect a payment that is already in progress. The transaction will complete using the card you selected at checkout. Only future transactions will use the new card or default card you set.
Can I change my card on Apple Pay without using my iPhone?
Yes. You can edit cards on iPad or Mac by right-clicking the card in Wallet and selecting Edit Card. You can also manage cards through Settings on any Apple device. Changes sync to your other devices through iCloud.
Do I need to contact my bank to change my Apple Pay card?
No. You can add, remove, or edit cards entirely within Apple Pay. Your bank does not need to know you are making the change. Apple handles verification automatically when you add or update a card.
What if my card is declined after I update it in Apple Pay?
A declined card usually means the bank did not verify it, or the card details you entered do not match your bank's records. Double-check the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If the details are correct, contact your bank to confirm the card is active and can be used with Apple Pay.
Can I have more than one default card?
No. Only one card can be your default at a time. However, you can quickly switch between cards during checkout or at the point of sale without changing your default.