The Apple Card is a credit card issued by Goldman Sachs that you request through the Wallet app on your iPhone

The Apple Card is a physical and digital credit card made by Apple in partnership with Goldman Sachs. You request it through the Wallet app on your iPhone, and Goldman Sachs decides whether to issue it based on your credit history and income. There is no annual fee. The card offers cash back on purchases — the percentage varies by where you shop — and you can see your balance and make payments directly in the Wallet app.

You do not need to visit a bank branch or mail in paperwork. The entire process happens on your phone, and if you are approved, you can use the digital card immediately while you wait for the physical card to arrive by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone with the Wallet app and an Apple ID to request the Apple Card; the process takes about 10 minutes.
  • Goldman Sachs will check your credit report and ask about your income, employment, and housing costs before deciding whether to issue the card.
  • If approved, you can use the digital card in Apple Pay right away, and the physical titanium card arrives by mail within a few business days.
  • The card has no annual fee, but cash back rates range from 1% to 3% depending on whether you use Apple Pay or the physical card and what type of merchant you shop at.
  • You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and have a U.S. mailing address to request the card.

What You Need Before You Start

You must have an iPhone (iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR and newer), an active Apple ID, and the latest version of the Wallet app. The Wallet app comes built into iPhones, so you do not need to download anything separately. You also need to be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and have a valid U.S. mailing address.

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready before you open the Wallet app. You will also need to know your annual household income and current housing costs (rent or mortgage payment). Goldman Sachs asks for this information to assess your creditworthiness, so have the numbers in front of you.

How to Request the Apple Card Through Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Credit or Debit Card," then choose "Apple Card." The app will walk you through a series of screens asking for your personal information: name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email.

Next, you will enter your Social Security number and answer questions about your employment and income. Be honest about your annual household income and your monthly housing payment. Goldman Sachs uses this information to calculate how much debt you can safely take on. After you submit this information, the app will show you a preliminary credit decision within seconds or minutes — sometimes it takes a few minutes longer.

If you are approved, you will see your card number, expiration date, and CVV in the Wallet app immediately. You can add the card to Apple Pay and start using it right away for online purchases and in-store payments at merchants that accept Apple Pay. Your physical titanium card will arrive by mail within a few business days.

What Happens If You Are Not Approved

If Goldman Sachs declines your request, the Wallet app will tell you so on the screen. The app may offer a reason — for example, "We need more information about your credit history" — but it will not give you a detailed explanation. You can request the Apple Card again after 30 days, or you can contact Goldman Sachs customer service to ask why you were declined.

If your credit score is very low or you have recent negative marks on your credit report (late payments, collections, bankruptcy), you are less likely to be approved. In that case, you might consider a secured credit card or a card designed for people rebuilding credit before trying the Apple Card again in the future.

Understanding Apple Card Cash Back and Fees

The Apple Card has no annual fee and no late fees, over-limit fees, or international transaction fees. Cash back is where the card's rewards come in. You earn 3% cash back when you use Apple Pay to pay Apple, Uber, Uber Eats, or at gas stations and transit. You earn 2% cash back when you use Apple Pay at other merchants. You earn 1% cash back when you use the physical titanium card.

Cash back is paid daily into your Apple Cash account, which is a digital wallet inside the Wallet app. You can transfer that money to your bank account, use it to pay your Apple Card bill, or spend it through Apple Pay. There is no minimum cash back amount — even 1 cent of cash back will be credited to your account.

Interest rates (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) vary based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Goldman Sachs will tell you your APR when you are approved. If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your APR.

Using Your Apple Card for the First Time

Once you are approved, open the Wallet app and look for your Apple Card. Tap it to see your card number, expiration date, and CVV. To use the digital card, hold your iPhone near a contactless payment terminal at a store, or use Apple Pay online by selecting Apple Pay as your payment method and authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID.

The physical card will arrive by mail within a few business days. When it arrives, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — online, by phone, or in person by swiping or inserting it into a card reader. You will earn only 1% cash back with the physical card, so Apple encourages you to use Apple Pay instead.

Your first bill will arrive 21 days after your first purchase. You can pay it in full or make a minimum payment through the Wallet app. If you pay in full by the due date, you will not pay any interest. If you carry a balance, interest will accrue at your APR.

Managing Your Apple Card Account

Everything you need to manage your Apple Card lives in the Wallet app. You can see your balance, recent transactions, and due date at a glance. Tap on any transaction to see details like the merchant name, the exact time of purchase, and the cash back you earned. You can also set up notifications so the app alerts you when your bill is due or when you make a purchase.

To make a payment, open the Wallet app, tap your Apple Card, and scroll down to the payment section. You can pay any amount between the minimum payment and your full balance. Payments are processed immediately if you pay before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time; otherwise they process the next business day.

If you need to contact Goldman Sachs customer service, you can message them directly through the Wallet app or call the number on the back of your physical card. Apple Card customer service is available 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need good credit to get the Apple Card?

Goldman Sachs does not publish a minimum credit score, but the Apple Card is generally easier to get than premium rewards cards. If your credit score is below 600 or you have recent late payments or collections, you are less likely to be approved. You can request it and see what happens — there is no harm in trying.

Can I use the Apple Card if I don't have an iPhone?

No. The Apple Card can only be requested and managed through the Wallet app on an iPhone. You cannot request it on an Android phone or a computer. Once you have the physical card, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, but you cannot see your balance or make payments without an iPhone.

What is the difference between the digital card and the physical card?

The digital card lives in your Wallet app and works with Apple Pay. The physical titanium card is mailed to you and can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. The digital card earns 2% or 3% cash back depending on the merchant; the physical card earns 1%. Most people use the digital card for everyday purchases and keep the physical card for emergencies or places that don't accept Apple Pay.

How long does it take to get approved?

You will usually see a decision within seconds or minutes of submitting your information. If Goldman Sachs needs more information, it may take a few minutes longer. Once you are approved, the digital card is available immediately, and the physical card arrives by mail within a few business days.

Can I increase my credit limit?

Yes. After you have used the Apple Card for a few months and made on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase through the Wallet app. Goldman Sachs will review your account and let you know whether it can increase your limit. There is no hard rule for how long you must wait or how many payments you must make first.