The basic steps to add your bank account
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and select "Debit or Credit Card." You'll be asked whether you want to add a card you have in hand or set up a new card. Choose "Set Up a New Card," then take a photo of your card's front and back, or enter the details by hand. Apple will ask for your card's expiration date and the three-digit security code on the back.
After you enter those details, your bank will send a verification code to your phone number or email — whichever is on file with them. Enter that code into the Wallet app to confirm you own the card. Once verified, the card appears in your Wallet and you can use it to pay in stores, online, or to send money to other people through Apple Pay.
The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes. You don't need to call your bank or visit a branch. Your bank handles the verification step automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Open Wallet, tap the plus sign, select "Debit or Credit Card," and choose "Set Up a New Card" to begin.
- You can photograph your card or type in the numbers, expiration date, and security code by hand.
- Your bank will send a verification code to your phone or email, which you enter into Wallet to confirm ownership.
- Once verified, the card is ready to use for in-store payments, online purchases, and sending money to others.
- The entire process happens on your phone without calling your bank or visiting a branch.
What happens after you add the card
Once your card is in Wallet, it becomes your default payment method for Apple Pay unless you change it. When you pay in a store, hold your phone near the card reader and use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm the payment. The store sees only a temporary number, not your real card number — Apple Pay encrypts your actual card details and keeps them separate.
You can add multiple cards to Wallet. Swipe left or right to choose which card you want to use before you pay. If you want to change which card is your default, open Wallet, tap and hold the card you prefer, then select "Set as Default."
When your bank might decline the addition
Some banks and credit unions do not yet support Apple Pay, though most major ones do. If your bank declines your card during the verification step, you'll see a message saying the card cannot be added. This usually means your bank hasn't set up the systems to work with Apple Pay yet.
If this happens, you have two options: contact your bank to ask when they plan to support Apple Pay, or use a different card you own from a bank that does support it. You can also still use Apple Pay with a debit card from a different bank if you have one.
Removing or replacing a card
To remove a card from Wallet, open the app, tap and hold the card, scroll down, and select "Remove Card." The card is deleted from your phone when ready, though your bank's records show the card still exists — you can add it back to Wallet anytime.
If your card is lost, stolen, or compromised, remove it from Wallet right away. Then contact your bank directly to report the card and request a replacement. Once your bank sends you a new card, you can add it to Wallet using the same steps as before.
Using Apple Pay online and in apps
When you shop online on your iPhone or iPad, look for the Apple Pay button at checkout. Tap it, confirm with Face ID or Touch ID, and the payment goes through using the default card in your Wallet. You don't have to type in your card number, expiration date, or security code — Apple Pay handles all of that automatically.
Many apps also accept Apple Pay. When you see the Apple Pay button inside an app, tap it and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. The payment is processed when ready. This method is faster and more find than typing your card details into a form.
Security and fraud protection
Apple Pay does not store your actual card number on your phone. Instead, it creates a unique encrypted code for each transaction. If someone steals your phone, they cannot use Apple Pay to pay without your Face ID or Touch ID — the biometric lock protects your card even if the phone is unlocked.
Your bank's fraud protection still applies to Apple Pay purchases just as it does to regular card purchases. If you notice a charge you didn't make, contact your bank and report it as fraud. Your bank will investigate and reverse the charge if it was unauthorized.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your card is not being verified, check that you entered the expiration date and security code correctly. Make sure the phone number or email address on file with your bank is current — your bank sends the verification code to that contact information. If you recently changed your phone number, update it with your bank before trying to add the card again.
If Apple Pay is not working in a store, make sure your iPhone has NFC (near-field communication) turned on. Go to Settings, tap NFC, and toggle it on. Also check that your phone's screen is on and unlocked when you hold it near the card reader. Some older card readers do not support contactless payments, so ask the cashier if they can process a regular card swipe instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a card that is not in my name?
No. Apple Pay requires that the cardholder's name match the name on your Apple ID. If you want to add someone else's card, they need to add it to their own Apple ID on their own device.
What if I don't have a smartphone with Apple Pay?
You can use Apple Pay on an iPad or Apple Watch as well as an iPhone. If you don't own any Apple device, you'll need to use a different digital wallet or pay with a physical card.
Does Apple Pay work everywhere?
Most stores, restaurants, and gas stations in the United States now accept contactless payments including Apple Pay. However, some smaller or older businesses may not have the technology yet. You can always ask the cashier or look for the contactless payment symbol near the card reader.
Can I use Apple Pay if my card is expired?
No. Your card must be current and valid to add it to Wallet. If your card is expiring soon, wait until you receive your replacement card from your bank before trying to add it to Apple Pay.
What happens if I lose my phone?
You can remove your cards from a lost phone by signing into iCloud.com, going to Find My iPhone, selecting your device, and choosing "Erase iPhone." This removes all cards from Wallet on that phone. You can then add your cards to a new phone using the same steps.