Remove the old card and add the new one through Wallet settings
To change a credit card on Apple Pay, you remove the card you no longer want and add a replacement. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in the Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. You do not need to contact Apple or your bank — the change is immediate.
On an iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap the card you want to remove, tap the three dots in the top right corner, scroll down, and select "Remove Card." On an iPad, the steps are the same. On an Apple Watch, open the Wallet app, swipe left on the card, tap the trash icon, and confirm. Once the old card is gone, tap the plus sign to add a new card using your camera or by entering the details manually.
Your bank may ask you to verify the new card before it works in Apple Pay. This usually happens through a text message or a prompt in your bank's app. Until verification is complete, the card may show as "Not Ready" in Wallet, and you will not be able to use it for payments.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close the card itself — it only stops Apple Pay from using it.
- Your bank controls whether a new card works in Apple Pay, so contact them if the card stays in "Not Ready" status after 24 hours.
- Changes to Apple Pay on your iPhone do not automatically sync to your Apple Watch — you must add or remove cards on the Watch separately.
- If you are replacing a card because it was lost or stolen, remove it from Apple Pay immediately, then contact your bank to cancel the physical card.
What happens to the old card after you remove it
Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close the card, freeze it, or notify your bank. It only stops Apple Pay from using that card for payments. The physical card remains active, and any recurring charges set up with that card number will continue to work.
If you are removing the card because it expired or was replaced by your bank, the old card will no longer work anywhere — not because you removed it from Apple Pay, but because your bank deactivated it. If you are removing it because you want to use a different card for payments but keep the old one active, the card will still work online, in stores, and over the phone.
If the card was lost or stolen, removing it from Apple Pay is a first step, but you must also call your bank to report the card and request a replacement. Your bank can freeze the card immediately, which Apple Pay cannot do.
How to add a new card to Apple Pay
After removing the old card, tap the plus sign in Wallet to add a new one. You can photograph the front of the card with your camera, or tap "Enter Card Details Manually" to type the number, expiration date, and CVV yourself. Photographing is faster and makes fewer typing errors.
Next, enter your billing address. Apple Pay will ask for your zip code at minimum; some banks ask for the full address. Then your bank sends a verification code, usually by text message. Enter the code in Apple Pay, and the card moves to "Ready" status.
If your bank does not send a code, or if the code does not arrive within a few minutes, check your bank's app — some banks verify new cards there instead. If verification still does not happen after 24 hours, contact your bank's customer service. They can see that the card was added to Apple Pay and can complete the verification on their end.
Syncing changes across your devices
Changes to Apple Pay on your iPhone do not automatically appear on your iPad or Apple Watch. Each device has its own Wallet, and you must add or remove cards on each one separately.
If you use the same Apple ID on multiple devices, your card information is stored in iCloud, but the decision to add or remove a card is device-specific. This means you could have a card on your iPhone but not on your Apple Watch, or vice versa. This is intentional — it lets you control which cards are available on which device.
To sync a card across devices, add it to Wallet on each device you want to use it on. To remove it from all devices, remove it from each one. There is no "remove from all devices at once" option.
What to do if the new card stays in "Not Ready" status
A card shows "Not Ready" when Apple Pay is waiting for your bank to verify it. This usually resolves within a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours. Do not delete the card and try again — that will not speed up verification.
If the card is still "Not Ready" after a day, open your bank's app and look for a notification about Apple Pay verification. Some banks send a push notification instead of a text, or ask you to verify through their app rather than through Apple Pay. Complete whatever verification your bank requests, then check Apple Pay again.
If you still see "Not Ready" after completing your bank's verification, contact your bank's customer service. They can see that the card was added to Apple Pay and can manually complete the verification. Have your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready — most banks ask for both.
Changing your default card for payments
If you have multiple cards in Apple Pay, you can choose which one is used by default when you pay. On iPhone, open Wallet, tap the three dots on the card you want as default, and select "Make This My Default Card." On Apple Watch, open Wallet, swipe left on the card, tap the three dots, and select "Make Default."
Your default card is the one that appears first when you double-click the side button (iPhone) or side button (Apple Watch) to pay. You can still choose a different card at the payment terminal by swiping left or right in Apple Pay before you authenticate.
If you remove your default card, Apple Pay will automatically set the next card in your list as the new default. If you remove all cards, you will need to add a new one before you can use Apple Pay again.
Replacing a card because it expired or was compromised
If your bank sent you a replacement card because the old one expired, you can add the new card to Apple Pay before the old one stops working. This way you have both cards active for a few days, which is useful if you have recurring charges set up with the old card number. Once you are sure all recurring charges have switched to the new card, remove the old one from Apple Pay.
If your card was compromised or you suspect fraud, remove it from Apple Pay immediately, then call your bank to report it and request a replacement. Your bank can freeze the card right away, which prevents any new charges. Apple Pay cannot freeze a card — it can only stop using it for future payments you initiate.
When your bank sends the replacement card, add it to Apple Pay the same way you would add any new card. Your bank will send a verification code, and the card will be ready to use within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a card from Apple Pay close the card?
No. Removing a card from Apple Pay only stops Apple Pay from using it. The card itself remains active unless your bank closed it or it expired. Recurring charges set up with that card number will continue to work.
Why is my new card still showing "Not Ready" after I entered the verification code?
Your bank may be verifying the card through a different method — check your bank's app for a notification or prompt. If you completed verification there and Apple Pay still shows "Not Ready," contact your bank's customer service. They can manually complete the verification on their end.
Do I have to add the new card to my Apple Watch separately?
Yes. Changes to Apple Pay on your iPhone do not sync to your Apple Watch. You must add or remove cards on each device individually. Open Wallet on your Watch, tap the plus sign, and add the card the same way you did on your iPhone.
Can I use Apple Pay while my new card is in "Not Ready" status?
No. You cannot pay with a card that shows "Not Ready." You can use a different card from your Wallet, or wait for verification to complete. Verification usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
What should I do if I lost my card and need to remove it from Apple Pay immediately?
Remove it from Apple Pay right away through Wallet settings, then call your bank to report the card lost and request a replacement. Your bank can freeze the card immediately, which Apple Pay cannot do. Once you receive the replacement card, add it to Apple Pay.