How to change your credit card on Apple
You can change your credit card on Apple through two separate systems: Apple Pay (for in-store and online purchases) and your iTunes account (for App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services). The steps differ slightly between them, and you may need to update both if you use both systems. If you're replacing an old card with a new one from the same bank, you can delete the old card and add the new one in the same place. If you're switching banks or card types entirely, the process is the same — remove the old card and add the new one.
Neither system automatically updates when you change cards elsewhere. Your bank does not notify Apple that your card number has changed, so you must make the update yourself in each system where you store the card. Changes take effect immediately, but transactions already in progress may still charge the old card.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Pay and iTunes use separate card storage systems, so updating one does not automatically update the other.
- On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Wallet & Apple Pay (or Wallet on older models), then tap your card and select Edit to change the card details or remove it entirely.
- To change your iTunes card, go to Settings, tap your name, select Media & Purchases, tap your Apple ID, then choose Payment Method and select a new card or add one.
- If you delete a card that is set as your default payment method, Apple will automatically assign a different card as the new default.
- Changes take effect immediately, but pending transactions may still charge the old card if they were already authorized before you deleted it.
Updating your card in Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Wallet & Apple Pay (on iPhone 13 and earlier, this may appear as just Wallet). Tap it to see all cards currently stored in Apple Pay. Find the card you want to change and tap it once to select it.
Tap the three dots or the info icon in the top right corner of the card details screen, then select Edit. You can now update the card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. If the card has expired or been compromised, you can also delete it here by scrolling down and tapping Remove Card. After you make changes, tap Done to save them. Apple will verify any new card information with your bank, which usually takes a few seconds to a few minutes.
If you want to add a completely new card instead of editing an existing one, go back to the main Wallet & Apple Pay screen and tap the plus sign or Add Card. Follow the prompts to enter the new card details. You can photograph the card with your phone's camera, and Apple will auto-fill most of the information. After you enter the remaining details, Apple sends the information to your bank for verification.
Changing your card on Mac
On a Mac running macOS Big Sur or later, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions) and click Wallet & Apple Pay. You will see a list of cards stored on your Mac. Click the card you want to edit and then click the gear icon or Edit button.
Update the card information as needed, or click Remove to delete the card entirely. To add a new card, click the plus sign and enter the card details. Mac will send the information to your bank for verification. Changes sync to your other Apple devices if you are signed in with the same Apple ID and have iCloud Keychain enabled, so you may not need to add the card again on your iPhone or iPad.
Updating your payment method for iTunes and the App Store
Your iTunes payment method is separate from Apple Pay and controls what card charges for App Store purchases, Apple Music subscriptions, iCloud storage upgrades, and other Apple services. To change it on iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Select Media & Purchases, then tap your Apple ID email address and choose View Account.
Tap Payment Method to see your current card. You can edit the existing card by tapping it and updating the details, or you can remove it and add a new one. If you remove the card without adding a replacement, Apple will prompt you to add a payment method the next time you try to make a purchase. You can also set up a different payment method by tapping Add Payment Method and selecting a card you have already added to Apple Pay, or entering a new card directly.
On a Mac, open the App Store or iTunes, click your account icon in the top right corner, select Account Settings, and then click Payment Method. The steps to edit or remove a card are the same as on iPhone. Your iTunes payment method is tied to your Apple ID, so it will be the same across all devices where you sign in with that ID.
What happens when you delete a card
When you delete a card from Apple Pay or iTunes, it is removed immediately and cannot be used for new purchases. However, recurring charges like subscriptions or pre-orders may still attempt to charge that card if the transaction was already scheduled before you deleted it. If the card no longer exists or has been closed, the charge will fail and Apple will ask you to update your payment method.
If the card you delete is set as your default payment method, Apple automatically assigns another card as the new default. You can manually change which card is default by opening Wallet & Apple Pay, tapping the card you prefer, and selecting Set as Default. For iTunes, your default payment method is whichever card appears first in your payment method list, and you can reorder them by tapping Edit next to Payment Method.
Timing and when changes take effect
Changes to your card information take effect immediately in Apple Pay and iTunes. If you update the expiration date or CVV on an existing card, any pending transactions that have not yet been processed will use the updated information. However, if you delete a card and a transaction is already in progress, the charge may still go through to the old card if the bank has already authorized it.
If you are switching to a completely new card from a different bank, allow a few minutes for the new card to be verified before making a purchase. In rare cases, your bank may require additional verification, which can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a notification if verification fails, and you can try adding the card again or contact your bank to confirm the card is active for online purchases.
Troubleshooting card update problems
If you cannot edit or remove a card, make sure you are signed in with the correct Apple ID. Cards are tied to the Apple ID account that added them, so you cannot edit a card added by a different family member or account. If you are part of a Family Sharing group, only the organizer can change the family payment method, though individual family members can change their own payment methods for their personal accounts.
If Apple rejects your new card during verification, the most common reasons are a mistyped card number, an incorrect expiration date or CVV, or a billing address that does not match your bank's records. Double-check all information and try again. If the card is valid and the information is correct, contact your bank — they may have declined it for fraud prevention or because the card is not activated for online purchases. Some banks require you to activate a new card through their app or website before it can be used with Apple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to update my card in both Apple Pay and iTunes?
Yes. Apple Pay and iTunes are separate systems with separate card storage. Updating your card in one does not change it in the other. If you use both, you will need to update each one independently. However, you can use the same card for both if you want.
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card?
Yes. Apple Pay and iTunes accept most debit cards, prepaid cards, and credit cards. Enter the card details the same way you would for a credit card. Your bank may treat the transaction differently than a credit card purchase, but Apple's process is identical.
What if I have a pending charge on my old card after I delete it?
If a transaction was already authorized before you deleted the card, it will likely still charge the old card even though it is no longer in your Apple account. Contact your bank or the merchant if you need to dispute the charge. For subscriptions, update your payment method as soon as possible to prevent the next billing cycle from failing.
Can I change my card on Apple Watch?
No. You cannot add or edit cards directly on Apple Watch. You must use iPhone, iPad, or Mac to manage your cards. Changes made on any device sync to your Apple Watch automatically if you are signed in with the same Apple ID.
Why does Apple keep asking me to update my payment method?
This usually means your card has expired, your bank declined a recent charge, or your billing address does not match your bank's records. Update the card information or add a new payment method. If the problem persists, contact your bank to confirm the card is active and not flagged for fraud.