Remove the old bank and add the new one through the Wallet app
To change banks on Apple Pay, you remove your current card from the Wallet app and add your new bank's card in its place. The process takes about five minutes and does not affect any pending transactions or subscriptions tied to your old card — Apple Pay stores those separately from the card itself.
You can remove a card at any time. Your new card becomes active for payments as soon as you add it and verify it with your bank. If you have set a default card for payments, you can change that too, or let Apple Pay prompt you each time you make a transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Wallet app, tap and hold the card you want to remove, then swipe left and tap Delete — the card is gone immediately.
- Add your new bank card by opening Wallet, tapping the plus icon, selecting Credit or Debit Card, and following the on-screen prompts to photograph or type the card number.
- Your bank will send a verification code by text or email within seconds; enter it in the Wallet app to confirm the card works.
- Any subscriptions, recurring payments, or stored payment methods linked to your old card will continue to work — they are not tied to Apple Pay itself.
- If you want to use your new card by default, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and change the default transaction card.
Step-by-step: removing your old card
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. You will see all your cards displayed as a stack. Find the card you want to remove and tap it to bring it to the front of the stack.
Tap and hold the card until a menu appears. Swipe left across the card, or tap the three dots in the corner and select Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted. The card is removed from Apple Pay immediately, but your physical card still works everywhere else — this only removes it from your phone.
If you are using an Apple Watch, the card will also disappear from your watch's Wallet app. If you have multiple devices linked to the same Apple ID, the card will be removed from all of them.
Step-by-step: adding your new card
Open the Wallet app and tap the plus icon in the upper right corner. Select Credit or Debit Card. You can photograph the front of your new card (the app will read the number automatically) or tap Enter Card Details Manually and type the number, expiration date, and CVV yourself.
After you enter the card information, the app will ask you to confirm your billing address. Type or select the address associated with your bank account. Tap Next.
Your bank will send a verification code by text message or email within a few seconds. Enter that code in the Wallet app. Once verified, the card is active and ready to use for Apple Pay transactions immediately.
What happens to subscriptions and recurring payments
Subscriptions, automatic bill payments, and recurring charges (like a gym membership or streaming service) are stored in your bank's system or the merchant's system, not in Apple Pay. Removing the card from Apple Pay does not stop these payments.
If you want to update a subscription to use your new card, you will need to go into the app or website for that service and change the payment method there. For example, if you have a Netflix subscription charged to your old card, log into Netflix, go to Account Settings, and update the payment method to your new card.
If you forget to update a subscription and your old card is closed, the payment will fail and the service may suspend your account. Check your subscriptions before you close your old bank account.
Setting a default card for payments
If you have multiple cards in your Wallet app, Apple Pay will ask you which card to use each time you make a transaction. If you want to skip that step and use one card by default, you can set a preferred card.
Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, and look for Default Transaction Card. Tap it and select the card you want to use for most payments. You can still choose a different card at checkout if you need to — the default just saves you a tap.
On an Apple Watch, the default card is set separately. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, and set the default there.
Troubleshooting: card won't verify
If your bank does not send a verification code, check that you entered the correct phone number or email address for your account. Wait 30 seconds and check your spam or junk folder for the code.
If you still do not receive a code, remove the card from Wallet and try adding it again. If the problem persists, contact your bank directly — they may have flagged the Apple Pay request as suspicious, or there may be a hold on your account that prevents new payment methods from being added.
Some banks require you to verify a new card through their own app before it works with Apple Pay. Check your bank's website or call their customer service line to see if this applies to you.
Removing a card before closing your bank account
If you are closing your old bank account, remove that card from Apple Pay before the account closes. Once the account is closed, the card will stop working, and you may see error messages when you try to use it or manage it in the Wallet app.
Removing it ahead of time is cleaner and prevents confusion. You can remove it the same day you open your new account and add the new card to Apple Pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing a card from Apple Pay cancel my subscriptions?
No. Subscriptions are stored by the merchant or your bank, not by Apple Pay. Removing the card from your phone will not stop the payments. You must update each subscription individually through the app or website that charges you.
Can I add a card to Apple Pay if my bank is not listed?
Most major U.S. banks work with Apple Pay, but not all. If your bank does not appear when you try to add a card, contact your bank to ask if they support Apple Pay. Some smaller banks or credit unions may not offer it yet.
What if I want to use my old card again after removing it?
You can add it back anytime by opening Wallet, tapping the plus icon, and entering the card details again. Your bank will send a new verification code, and the card will be active once you confirm it.
Do I need to remove my card before switching banks?
No, but it is a good idea. You can remove your old card and add your new one whenever you are ready. There is no penalty for removing a card, and it keeps your Wallet organized.
Will my pending transactions fail if I remove my card from Apple Pay?
No. Transactions that have already been sent to your bank will go through regardless of whether the card is still in your Wallet app. Removing the card only stops new transactions from being made with it.