Apple Card has no published minimum credit score, but approval typically requires a score of 670 or higher
Apple does not publicly state a minimum credit score for the Apple Card. However, based on cardholder reports and the card's positioning as a premium product, most people approved have scores in the 670–750 range. Some approvals happen below 670, and some denials occur above 750, which means your score is one factor among several that Goldman Sachs (the card issuer) weighs together.
The approval decision also depends on your income, existing debt, payment history, and how long you have held credit accounts. A high score alone does not may provide approval, and a lower score does not may provide denial. What matters is the full picture of your creditworthiness as Goldman Sachs sees it.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Card approvals typically go to people with credit scores of 670 or above, though the exact threshold is not published by Apple or Goldman Sachs.
- Your credit score is one of several factors in the decision; income, debt levels, and payment history carry weight too.
- A hard inquiry will appear on your credit report when you apply, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
- If you are denied, you can request reconsideration or reapply after improving your score or reducing existing debt.
How Goldman Sachs evaluates your application
Goldman Sachs pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and reviews your credit score alongside other data. They look at how much debt you currently carry relative to your income, whether you have missed payments in the past, and how long your oldest account has been open. A thin credit file (few accounts, short history) can result in denial even with a decent score.
Income verification is part of the process. You will be asked to confirm your annual income during the application, and Goldman Sachs may verify it. If your income is low relative to your existing debt, approval becomes less likely regardless of your score. The bank also considers whether you have other recent hard inquiries or new accounts, which can signal financial stress.
What happens to your credit score when you apply
Submitting an Apple Card application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry is visible to other lenders and typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary; the inquiry stops affecting your score after about three months and disappears from your report after two years.
If you are approved and open the account, a new account entry appears on your credit report. This also lowers your score initially because it reduces your average account age and increases the number of accounts you hold. Over time, as you use the card responsibly and build payment history, the account becomes an asset to your score.
Minimum credit score by card type: Apple Card versus alternatives
| Card | Typical Score Range | Issuer | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Card | 670–750+ | Goldman Sachs | No annual fee; daily cash back; requires iPhone |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 700+ | Chase | Annual fee; higher rewards; travel benefits |
| Capital One Venture X | 700+ | Capital One | Annual fee; travel rewards; lounge access |
| Discover It | 650+ | Discover | No annual fee; cash back; easier approval |
The Apple Card sits in the middle of the approval spectrum. It is more selective than cards marketed to people rebuilding credit (which may approve scores as low as 550–600) but less selective than premium travel cards that often require 750+. If your score is below 670, you may have better odds with Discover It or a Capital One Secured Card while you work on improving your score.
The difference between Apple Card and these alternatives reflects how each issuer prices risk. Goldman Sachs targets customers with established credit and steady income, so they can offer no annual fee and competitive cash back. Discover and Capital One accept lower scores because their cards carry higher interest rates or require a deposit, offsetting the risk of default.
Steps to take if you are denied
If Goldman Sachs denies your application, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, high debt-to-income ratio, recent late payments, or too many recent hard inquiries. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to request your credit report for free from AnnualCreditReport.com within 60 days.
Before reapplying, review your credit report for errors and dispute any inaccuracies with the bureau. Pay down existing balances to lower your debt-to-income ratio, and wait at least three to six months before applying again. This gives recent hard inquiries time to age and shows lenders you are managing credit responsibly. If your score has improved by 30–50 points, your odds of approval increase significantly.
How to check your credit score before applying
You can check your credit score for free through several channels. Your bank or credit card issuer may offer free score monitoring through their app or website. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma, Experian, and Discover (even if you do not have their card) provide free scores updated monthly. These scores are usually FICO scores or similar models that lenders use.
The score you see at home may differ slightly from the score Goldman Sachs sees, because lenders use different scoring models and bureaus. However, if your free score is 670 or above, your odds of Apple Card approval are reasonable. If it is below 650, focus on paying down debt and building payment history before applying.
Rebuilding credit to meet Apple Card standards
If your score is currently below 670, you have several paths forward. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit (usually $200–$2,500) and reports to all three bureaus, helping you build history. Capital One Secured Card and Discover Secured Card are common choices. After 6–18 months of on-time payments, you may be offered an unsecured card or a credit limit increase without additional deposit.
Paying down existing balances is the fastest way to improve your score. Aim to keep your credit utilization (the percentage of available credit you are using) below 30 percent. If you have missed payments in the past, they will continue to hurt your score for seven years from the date of the miss, but their impact weakens over time. Consistent on-time payments going forward are the most powerful tool you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an Apple Card with a 600 credit score?
Unlikely, but not impossible. Most approvals happen at 670 or above. If your score is 600–650, focus on paying down debt and making on-time payments for six months, then reapply. A secured card in the meantime can help you build history faster.
Does Apple Card do a soft inquiry or a hard inquiry?
Apple Card does a hard inquiry, which appears on your credit report and lowers your score by a few points. Soft inquiries (which do not affect your score) are used only for pre-qualification offers, not for actual applications.
What if I have no credit history?
No credit history makes approval very difficult because Goldman Sachs has no data to assess your reliability. Start with a secured card or become an authorized user on someone else's account to build history, then apply for Apple Card after 6–12 months of activity.
How long after being denied can I reapply for Apple Card?
There is no official waiting period, but reapplying immediately will likely result in another denial. Wait at least three to six months, improve your score or reduce your debt, then reapply. Multiple applications in a short time also generate multiple hard inquiries, which hurt your score further.
Does Apple Card approval depend on having an iPhone?
Yes. You must have an iPhone to apply for and manage the Apple Card. The card itself is physical, but the account is managed through the Wallet app. If you do not have an iPhone, you cannot open an Apple Card account.