Where to find and change your payment method
On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then tap Payments and Subscriptions. You'll see Payment Method listed at the top. Tap it to view your current method and add a new one.
On Mac, open the App Store, click your account name in the top right, select Account Settings, then find Payments and Subscriptions in the left menu. The payment method option is there.
On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, go to Payments and subscriptions, then Payment methods. You can add, remove, or set a default method from this screen.
The steps are the same whether you're changing your method for app purchases, in-app spending, subscriptions, or one-time buys. The new method takes effect immediately for future charges.
Key Takeaways
- Your payment method lives in your account settings, not in individual apps or purchase screens.
- You can store multiple payment methods and choose which one to use at checkout, or set one as your default.
- Changes take effect right away for new purchases, but won't affect charges already in progress.
- If a payment method fails, the App Store will try the next method on file before asking you to update your information.
What payment methods the App Store accepts
The App Store takes credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, Apple Pay, and carrier billing through your mobile provider. Some regions also accept local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Alipay in China.
If you're in the US, you can also use an Apple Gift Card or store credit from a refund. That balance appears as a separate line item in your payment settings and is used before any card on file.
Prepaid cards work as long as they carry a Visa or Mastercard logo and have a billing address attached. Virtual card numbers (single-use or merchant-specific) may be declined if the App Store's system doesn't recognize them as valid.
Adding a new payment method without removing the old one
You don't have to delete your current method to add another. Tap Add Payment Method (or the plus icon, depending on your device), enter the new card or account details, and confirm. Both methods stay on file.
If you have multiple methods saved, you can choose which one to use at checkout before you complete a purchase. On iPhone and iPad, you'll see the option to pick a different method on the final purchase screen. On Android, the default method is used unless you tap to change it.
To set a new default method without deleting the old one, go back to Payment Method in your settings and select which one you want to use first. The App Store will charge that one for subscriptions and one-click purchases.
Removing a payment method you no longer use
Open your payment settings, find the method you want to remove, and tap Remove or the delete icon. The App Store will ask you to confirm. Once removed, it can't be used for new charges.
You must have at least one valid payment method on file to make purchases. If you remove your only method, the App Store will prompt you to add a new one the next time you try to buy something.
If you remove a method that's set as your default, the App Store automatically switches to the next method on your list. If no other method exists, you'll need to add one before subscriptions or automatic purchases can go through.
What happens if your payment method is declined
When a charge fails—because the card expired, the account was closed, or the issuer blocked it—the App Store sends you a notification. For subscriptions, you usually get a few days to update your payment information before the service is paused.
If you have a second payment method on file, the App Store may try that one automatically. Check your settings to see which methods are active and in what order they'll be tried.
To fix a declined payment, go to Payments and Subscriptions, tap the method that failed, and update the information (expiration date, CVV, billing address). For a card that's no longer valid, remove it and add a new one instead.
Changing your payment method for subscriptions specifically
Subscriptions use whatever payment method is set as your default at the time of renewal. If you want to switch which card or account pays for a specific subscription, change your default method in Payment Method settings before the next billing date.
You can also see which method is assigned to each subscription by going to Manage Subscriptions (in the same Payments and Subscriptions menu). The payment method isn't listed there, but it will be the default method on file at renewal time.
If you want different subscriptions to charge different cards, you'll need to change your default method, let one subscription renew, then switch back to the other card for the next subscription's renewal. There's no way to assign a specific card to a specific subscription directly.
Troubleshooting when you can't change your payment method
If the Add Payment Method button is grayed out or missing, you may have hit a limit on how many cards you can store. Most accounts allow 5 to 8 payment methods. Remove one you don't use and try again.
If the App Store won't accept a new card, check that the billing address matches exactly what your card issuer has on file. Spaces, abbreviations, and capitalization matter. Also verify the card hasn't expired and that your issuer hasn't blocked international charges (App Store charges may route through different countries depending on your account region).
If you're trying to add PayPal or Apple Pay and it's not showing up as an option, make sure your device is up to date and you're signed into the correct Apple ID. Sign out of your Apple ID, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in. Then return to payment settings and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for each app purchase?
Yes. At checkout, before you confirm the purchase, you can tap to select a different payment method from your saved list. The App Store will charge whichever one you pick for that single transaction. Your default method is suggested, but you're not locked into it.
What happens to my old payment method if I change it?
It stays on file unless you remove it. You can have multiple payment methods saved at once. The App Store only charges the one you select at checkout or your default method for subscriptions and automatic renewals.
Do I need to update my payment method if I got a new card with the same number?
Yes. Even if the card number is the same, the expiration date and CVV are different. Go to your payment settings, tap the old card, and update the expiration date and security code. Or remove it and add the new card as a fresh entry.
Can I change my payment method on a subscription after I've already started it?
You can't change the payment method for a specific subscription directly. Instead, change your default payment method in settings before the subscription's next renewal date. The new default will be charged at that time.
Why is my payment method being declined even though I have money in my account?
The App Store charges are routed through different payment processors depending on your region and account settings. Your bank or card issuer may block charges they don't recognize as legitimate. Contact your card issuer to allow App Store charges, or try a different payment method on file.