Where to find your payment method settings
Your payment method lives in your account settings, not in a separate payments section. On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app, tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then tap your name or Apple ID. From there, select "Payment and Shipping" — this is where you manage what card or account the App Store charges when you buy apps, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.
On a Mac, the path is slightly different. Open the App Store app, click your account name in the top right, select "Account Settings" from the dropdown, then find "Payment and Shipping" in the list on the left side of the window that opens.
If you use an Android device, the process is in Google Play instead. Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to "Payments and subscriptions," then "Payment methods." The layout is similar but the names are different — keep that in mind if you switch between devices.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone or iPad, go to your profile icon in the App Store, select your name, then choose "Payment and Shipping" to see and change your payment method.
- You can add a new card or payment method before removing an old one, so you will not be left without a way to pay.
- If a payment method fails, the App Store will try again for a few days before stopping — you have time to update it before subscriptions cancel.
- Removing a payment method does not cancel subscriptions; it only stops future charges, so update to a working card rather than deleting the old one.
Adding a new payment method before removing the old one
The safest approach is to add your new card while your old one is still active. In "Payment and Shipping," tap "Add Payment Method" and enter your new card details — card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. The App Store will verify the card with a small temporary charge (usually under $1) that appears and disappears within a few days.
Once the new card is verified and appears in your list, you can then remove the old one. This prevents the awkward moment where a subscription tries to renew and finds no valid payment method on file. If you remove your only payment method, subscriptions will not charge, but you also will not be able to buy anything until you add a new one.
If you are switching from one card to another because the old card is expiring, you do not have to wait for the expiration date. Add the new card now, verify it, and remove the old one when ready — the App Store does not care which card you use, only that one works.
What happens when a payment method fails
When a subscription renews or you make a purchase and the charge fails, the App Store does not when ready cancel your access. Instead, it retries the charge for several days — typically three to five days depending on the type of charge. During this window, you can update your payment method and the retry will go through on the new card.
If all retries fail, the App Store will eventually stop trying and your subscription will lapse. You will lose access to the app or service, but you can resubscribe at any time by adding a working payment method and purchasing the subscription again. For apps you bought outright (not subscriptions), a failed payment does not affect your access — you already own the app.
The App Store sends notifications when a payment fails, though the timing and clarity of these messages varies. Check your email for messages from Apple or your payment provider if you suspect a charge did not go through.
Updating payment information for an existing subscription
If you have an active subscription and need to change the payment method it uses, you do not need to cancel and restart. Go to "Payment and Shipping," add your new card, and set it as your primary payment method. The next time your subscription renews, it will charge the new card instead of the old one.
You can see which subscriptions are attached to which payment method by going to your account settings and looking for "Subscriptions" (on iPhone) or "Manage Subscriptions" (on Mac). Tap any subscription to see its renewal date and which payment method it will use. If you want to move a specific subscription to a different card, you can change the payment method in that subscription's details page.
Accepted payment methods and regional differences
The App Store accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and in some regions, local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Alipay in China. The exact options depend on your country and the payment provider agreements Apple has in place there.
If you are traveling or have moved to a different country, your payment method may still work, but some cards are flagged as suspicious when used in a new location. If a charge is declined, contact your card issuer to let them know you are using it abroad, then try the charge again in the App Store.
Gift cards and store credit count as payment methods too. If you have a balance on your Apple account from a gift card, the App Store will use that balance first before charging any card on file. You can check your balance in "Payment and Shipping" under "Account Balance."
Troubleshooting a payment method that will not save
If you try to add a card and the App Store rejects it, the most common reasons are a typo in the card number or billing address, or the card issuer blocking the charge as suspicious. Double-check the card number, expiration date, and the zip code on your billing address — these must match exactly what your bank has on file.
If the details are correct and the card still will not save, contact your bank or card issuer. They may have declined the charge because it came from Apple, or because the charge looks unusual. Ask them to approve charges from the App Store, then try adding the card again.
If you are adding a debit card and it keeps failing, make sure the card is enabled for online purchases. Some debit cards have this setting turned off by default for security. Your bank can turn it on in seconds.
Removing a payment method safely
You can remove a payment method from your account at any time by going to "Payment and Shipping" and swiping left on the card (iPhone) or right-clicking it (Mac), then selecting delete. The card will be removed when ready, but this does not cancel any subscriptions using that card — it only stops future charges.
If you remove your only payment method and a subscription tries to renew, the charge will fail and the subscription will lapse after several retry attempts. You will get a notification, but you will lose access to the app or service until you add a new payment method and resubscribe.
The safest practice is to add a new payment method first, verify it works, and only then remove the old one. This ensures there is always a valid card on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use someone else's payment method on my App Store account?
Yes, you can add anyone's card to your account as long as you have their permission and the card details. The cardholder's name does not have to match your Apple ID name. However, the billing address must match what the card issuer has on file, so coordinate with the cardholder if you are unsure.
What if my card expires while I have an active subscription?
Your subscription will not automatically move to a new card. When the renewal date arrives and the old card is declined, the App Store will retry for several days. Update your payment method before the expiration date, or add your new card as soon as it arrives and remove the old one.
Do I need to update my payment method if I just change my billing address?
Not necessarily, but you should update the billing address on file in "Payment and Shipping" to match your card issuer's records. If the address does not match, future charges may be declined. You do not need a new card, just the correct address for the card you already have.
Can I use a virtual or temporary card number from my bank?
Yes, many banks issue virtual card numbers for online purchases, and the App Store accepts them. The process is the same — enter the virtual number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would a physical card. If the virtual number expires, you will need to generate a new one and update it in your payment method settings.
What happens to my purchase history if I remove a payment method?
Your purchase history stays in your account forever, regardless of which payment method you use or remove. You can see everything you have ever bought in your account settings under "Purchase History" or "Order History." Removing a card does not erase this record.