You can turn off Apple Pay in Settings on any Apple device, and the process takes less than a minute
Apple Pay is not a single switch you flip off everywhere at once. Instead, you disable it on each device where you use it — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. The steps differ slightly by device type, but the goal is the same: remove your payment cards from that device so it can no longer process transactions.
You might turn off Apple Pay because you sold a device, lost one temporarily, want to use a different payment method, or straightforward prefer not to carry digital cards. Whatever the reason, the process is straightforward and reversible — you can turn it back on and re-add your cards later.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, select each card, and choose Remove Card.
- On Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, and remove cards from there.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click Wallet & Apple Pay, select your card, and click the minus button to remove it.
- Removing a card from one device does not remove it from your other devices — you must disable it on each one separately.
- Your card remains active with your bank and other payment systems; turning off Apple Pay only stops it from working through Apple's system.
Removing Apple Pay from iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Wallet & Apple Pay. Tap it. You will see a list of all cards currently stored on that device.
Tap the card you want to remove. A details screen appears showing the card number, expiration date, and other information. Scroll to the bottom and tap Remove Card. Confirm the action when prompted. The card is now off that device and cannot be used for Apple Pay transactions there.
Repeat this step for each card you want to remove. If you want to turn off Apple Pay entirely on that device, remove all cards. You can also remove just your default card while keeping others, or remove one card and keep the rest — the choice is yours.
Disabling Apple Pay on Apple Watch
You cannot manage Apple Pay directly on the watch itself. Instead, use your paired iPhone. Open the Watch app on your iPhone — it is a separate app from Settings, with a watch icon.
Tap the Wallet & Apple Pay section. You will see the same cards that appear on your watch. Select the card you want to remove and tap Remove Card. The card is now removed from your watch and cannot be used for payments there.
If you have multiple cards on your watch, you can remove them one at a time or all at once. Your iPhone's Apple Pay setup is separate — removing a card from your watch does not remove it from your phone.
Turning Off Apple Pay on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Search for or scroll to Wallet & Apple Pay.
You will see your stored cards listed. Click the card you want to remove, then click the minus button (−) below the list. Confirm the removal. The card is now off your Mac.
On Mac, you can also disable Apple Pay for online purchases without removing the card itself. In the same Wallet & Apple Pay settings, you can uncheck the option to use Apple Pay for purchases on websites and apps. This keeps the card stored but prevents it from being used for online transactions.
What Happens When You Remove a Card
Removing Apple Pay from a device does not cancel your card, close your bank account, or notify your bank. Your card remains active and can still be used in person, online, or through other payment apps. You are only stopping that specific device from accessing Apple Pay.
If you removed a card by mistake, you can add it back. Open Wallet & Apple Pay settings on that device, tap the plus button or "Add Card," and follow the prompts to re-enter your card details. The process takes about two minutes.
Removing Apple Pay from a Device You No Longer Have
If you sold, lost, or gave away an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, you should remove your cards from it remotely. Use Find My iPhone (or Find My for other devices) on iCloud.com or through another Apple device.
Locate the device in Find My, select it, and choose Erase This Device. This wipes the device entirely, including all stored payment cards. Your cards will no longer work on that device, even if someone else uses it later.
If you cannot erase the device remotely, contact your bank or card issuer and report the device as lost. They can flag your card to prevent unauthorized use, though this is separate from removing it from Apple Pay.
Turning Off Apple Pay Notifications and Limits
If you want to keep Apple Pay but reduce how often you use it, you can adjust related settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle off Double-Click to Pay. This means you will have to open Wallet manually instead of double-clicking the side button to start a payment.
You can also set transaction limits or require authentication for each payment, depending on your bank and card type. These settings do not turn off Apple Pay but make it less convenient to use accidentally. Check your card issuer's app or website for additional security and usage controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Apple Pay on my iPhone turn it off on my other devices?
No. Each device is independent. Removing a card from your iPhone does not remove it from your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. You must remove it from each device separately if you want it off everywhere.
Can I turn off Apple Pay temporarily without removing my cards?
Not directly through a master toggle. However, you can disable the double-click shortcut on iPhone, or you can remove your cards and re-add them later. Removing and re-adding takes about five minutes total.
What if I forgot my passcode and cannot access Settings?
Use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com to erase the device remotely, which removes all cards. Alternatively, contact Apple Support or your bank to report the device as lost and have them flag your cards.
Will my bank know I turned off Apple Pay?
No. Your bank sees no notification when you remove Apple Pay from a device. They only know if you contact them directly or if you report the card as lost or stolen.
Can I remove Apple Pay from one card but keep it on another?
Yes. You can remove individual cards while keeping others on the same device. Go to Wallet & Apple Pay, select the specific card, and remove only that one.