How to Delete a Card from PayPal
To remove a credit card from PayPal, log into your account, go to Wallet, find the card you want to delete, and select Remove. The card is deleted immediately and PayPal stops charging it. If the card is set as your primary payment method, PayPal will prompt you to choose a replacement before you can complete the deletion.
The process takes less than a minute. You do not need to contact PayPal support unless the card is linked to an active subscription or recurring payment — in that case, you must update the payment method on the subscription itself before removing the card.
Key Takeaways
- Cards are deleted from the Wallet section of your PayPal account and the removal is instant.
- If a card is your primary payment method, you must select a different card or bank account before PayPal will let you delete it.
- Subscriptions and recurring payments tied to a card must be updated separately — deleting the card does not cancel them.
- Deleted cards cannot be recovered, so confirm you are removing the correct card before you proceed.
Step-by-Step: Removing a Card on Desktop
Open PayPal in a web browser and sign in with your email and password. Click your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select Account Settings.
From the menu on the left, click Wallet. You will see a list of all cards and bank accounts linked to your account. Find the card you want to remove and click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Remove from the dropdown menu.
PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. If this card is your primary payment method, you will see a message asking you to choose a replacement. Select a different card or bank account from the list, then click Confirm. The card is now deleted.
Removing a Card on the PayPal Mobile App
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet.
Scroll to the card you want to delete and tap it. At the bottom of the card details screen, tap Remove This Card. PayPal will ask you to confirm. If the card is your primary payment method, select a replacement before confirming the deletion.
The card is deleted immediately and you will return to your Wallet. The app does not send a confirmation email for card deletions, but the card will no longer appear in your payment methods.
What Happens to Subscriptions When You Delete a Card
Deleting a card from PayPal does not cancel subscriptions or recurring payments tied to that card. Instead, PayPal will attempt to charge your primary payment method on the next billing date. If your primary method fails or is also deleted, the subscription payment will fail and the merchant may suspend your service.
Before deleting a card, check whether any subscriptions or recurring payments are using it. To do this, go to Account Settings, then Payments, then Manage automatic payments. You will see a list of all active subscriptions. For each one using the card you want to delete, click the subscription name and update the payment method to a different card or bank account.
Once you have moved all subscriptions to another payment method, you can safely delete the card without interrupting service.
If Your Card Is Your Primary Payment Method
PayPal requires you to have at least one active payment method on file. If the card you want to delete is marked as primary, you must designate a different card or bank account as primary before the deletion will go through.
When you click Remove on your primary card, PayPal will display a list of other cards and bank accounts. Select one and click Set as Primary, then confirm the deletion of the original card. The new card becomes your primary method immediately, and the old card is deleted.
If you have no other payment methods on file, you will need to add a new card or link a bank account before you can delete your current card.
Recovering a Deleted Card
PayPal does not restore deleted cards. Once you remove a card, it is permanently removed from your account. If you deleted a card by mistake, you will need to add it again manually by going to Wallet, clicking Link a Card, and entering the card number, expiration date, and CVV.
PayPal will verify the card by charging a small amount (usually $1.95) and then crediting it back. This verification process takes one to two business days. During that time, the card will show as pending in your Wallet and you cannot use it for payments.
Why You Might Want to Delete a Card
Common reasons to remove a card include replacing an old or expiring card with a new one, removing a card you no longer use, or cleaning up your account after a security concern. If your card was compromised, deleting it from PayPal stops PayPal from charging it, but you should also contact your card issuer to report the fraud and request a replacement card.
If you are closing a credit card account entirely, delete it from PayPal before the card issuer closes the account. This prevents PayPal from attempting to charge a closed card, which can result in failed payment notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a card if I have a pending payment?
No. If PayPal is processing a charge to that card, you cannot delete it until the transaction completes. Wait for the payment to finish, then remove the card. If a payment is stuck in pending status for more than a few hours, contact PayPal support.
What if I delete a card and a subscription tries to charge it?
PayPal will attempt to charge your primary payment method instead. If that also fails or is deleted, the subscription payment will fail and the merchant will be notified. You may lose access to the service until you update the payment method on the subscription.
Does deleting a card from PayPal affect my credit score?
No. Removing a card from PayPal is an account management action and does not report to credit bureaus. Your credit score is not affected. However, if you close the underlying credit card account with your bank, that may affect your credit.
Can I delete a card without setting a new primary method?
No. PayPal requires at least one active payment method on your account at all times. If you are deleting your only card, you must add a bank account or another card before the deletion will complete.
How long does it take to delete a card?
The deletion is instant. The card disappears from your Wallet immediately after you confirm. PayPal does not send a confirmation email, but you can verify the deletion by checking your Wallet.