Where to find and change your default payment method
Your default payment method is the card or bank account PayPal uses automatically when you send money or make a purchase. To change it, log into your PayPal account on a computer or phone, go to your Wallet, and look for the payment method marked "Default." Click on it, and you'll see an option to change which card or account PayPal uses first.
The exact steps differ slightly between the PayPal website and the mobile app, but both take about two minutes. On the website, you'll find Wallet in the menu on the left side of your account page. On the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll down to Wallet. Either way, you're looking for a section that shows all your saved cards and bank accounts.
PayPal only lets you set one default method at a time. If you have multiple cards or accounts linked, you can switch which one is default whenever you want — there's no waiting period or limit on how often you can change it.
Key Takeaways
- Your default payment method is the one PayPal uses first when you send money or shop, unless you choose a different method at checkout.
- You change your default in your Wallet by clicking on the method marked "Default" and selecting a new one.
- You can only have one default method, but you can switch between any cards or bank accounts you've already added to your account.
- Changing your default takes effect when ready and does not affect any payments you've already made.
Why you might want to change your default payment method
You might change your default if you've added a new card with better rewards, switched to a bank account to avoid card fees, or want to use a different card for security reasons. Some people set their default to a bank account for large purchases and keep a credit card as backup. Others rotate defaults based on which card is offering a bonus that month.
Changing your default does not cancel or remove your other payment methods — they stay in your Wallet and you can still pick them manually at checkout. This means you can test a new card by making it default, then switch back if you prefer your old setup.
What happens when you change your default
The change takes effect when ready. Any new payment you make after the change will use the new default method, unless you deliberately pick a different one at checkout. Old transactions are not affected — PayPal won't go back and re-charge a card you've already used.
If you're in the middle of a subscription or recurring payment (like a monthly service), PayPal will use your new default method for the next billing date. If you want to keep using the old card for that subscription, you'll need to go into that subscription's settings and change the payment method there separately.
Adding a new payment method before you set it as default
You can only set a payment method as default if it's already saved in your Wallet. If you want to use a new card or bank account, add it first, then change your default.
To add a new card: go to Wallet, click "Link a card," and enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). PayPal will ask for your billing address. For a bank account: click "Link a bank account," enter your routing number and account number, and PayPal will verify it by depositing two small amounts into your account — you'll confirm those amounts to prove you own the account.
Once the new method is added and verified, you can make it your default. Bank accounts usually verify within one to two business days, while cards are usually when ready.
If you can't find your default payment method
If you don't see a "Default" label on any of your payment methods, it's possible you haven't set one yet. In that case, PayPal will ask you to pick a method each time you make a payment. You can set a default by clicking on any saved card or account and looking for an option that says "Set as default" or "Make this my default payment method."
If you've only added one card or bank account, PayPal may automatically treat it as your default without labeling it. Try making a test payment to see which method it uses, or add a second method so you can see which one is marked as default.
Removing a payment method from your account
If you want to delete a card or bank account entirely, go to your Wallet, click on the method you want to remove, and look for a "Remove" or "Delete" button. You can remove any method except your current default — you'll have to change your default to something else first.
Once you remove a payment method, you can't use it for new payments, but PayPal keeps a record of old transactions you made with it. If you remove a card by mistake, you can add it back by entering the card number again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a default payment method on the PayPal app?
Yes. Open the app, tap the menu icon, go to Wallet, tap on the payment method you want to make default, and look for "Set as default" or a similar option. The process is the same as on the website, just with different menu locations.
What if I want to use a different payment method for just one purchase?
At checkout, PayPal shows your default method but gives you the option to change it. Click "Change" or "Use a different payment method" and pick the card or account you want to use for that one transaction. Your default stays the same for future purchases.
Does changing my default payment method affect my PayPal balance?
No. Your PayPal balance (money you've received or added to your account) is separate from your default payment method. Changing your default only affects which card or bank account PayPal pulls money from when you make a new payment.
Can I set different defaults for different types of payments?
No. PayPal only allows one default payment method for your entire account. However, you can manually choose a different method at checkout for any individual purchase, subscription, or money transfer.
What if my default payment method gets declined?
PayPal will show you an error message and ask you to pick a different payment method or update your card information. Your payment won't go through until you choose a working method. You can then change your default to avoid this in the future.