Remove Apple Pay in three places: your device settings, your card issuer, and any apps where you saved it
Removing Apple Pay is not one action—it happens in layers. You can delete a card from your iPhone or Apple Watch, stop Apple Pay from working in Safari and apps, or remove it entirely from your Apple ID account. Which one you need depends on whether you want to keep using Apple Pay with other cards, whether you're selling the device, or whether you're closing an account with your bank.
Start with your device if you're removing a single card. Go to Wallet, tap the card, tap the three dots (or the info icon), scroll down, and tap Remove Card. On Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, tap the card, and select Remove. The card stops working for payments immediately, but your Apple ID still has the card on file unless you remove it there too.
If you're selling or giving away the device, erase Apple Pay entirely by signing out of your Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, enter your Apple ID password, and choose what to keep or remove. This wipes all cards from that device and prevents anyone else from using them.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a card from Wallet removes it from that device only—the card stays linked to your Apple ID unless you remove it there separately.
- Removing a card from your Apple ID account stops it from working across all your devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch).
- Signing out of your Apple ID erases all Apple Pay data from that device and is the right step before selling or giving away a phone.
- Your bank or card issuer does not need to know you removed Apple Pay—the card itself remains active unless you close the account.
Delete a card from a single device
If you want to stop using Apple Pay on one phone or watch but keep it on others, remove the card from that device's Wallet app. On iPhone, open Wallet, press and hold the card (or tap it once), tap the three dots or info icon in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and tap Remove Card. The card is gone from that phone within seconds.
On Apple Watch, the process is slightly different because you cannot manage cards directly on the watch itself. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, find the card, tap it, and select Remove. The card disappears from your watch immediately, but it stays in your iPhone's Wallet unless you remove it there too.
Removing a card from one device does not affect your other devices. If you have an iPad or Mac linked to the same Apple ID, the card will still work there. You have to remove it from each device separately if you want it gone everywhere.
Remove a card from your Apple ID account entirely
To stop Apple Pay from working across all your devices at once, remove the card from your Apple ID settings. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Methods, find the card you want to remove, and tap Remove. This deletes it from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch—anywhere you use that Apple ID.
You can also manage this on a Mac or iPad if you prefer. On Mac, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Methods. On iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Methods. The card disappears from all devices within a few minutes.
Removing a card from your Apple ID does not close the card itself or notify your bank. The card remains active for other uses (in-store, online, phone orders). You only stop Apple Pay from accessing it.
Stop Apple Pay in Safari and apps
If you want to keep Apple Pay on your device but prevent it from working in Safari or third-party apps, turn off the feature in Settings. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle off Allow Payments or Double-Click Side Button (depending on your iPhone model). This disables Apple Pay for online shopping and in-app purchases, but the Wallet app itself stays on your phone.
You can also require Face ID or Touch ID for every payment by going to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggling on Require Authentication. This does not remove Apple Pay—it just adds a security step.
Turning off Apple Pay in settings does not delete your cards. If you turn the feature back on later, your cards will still be there and ready to use.
Erase Apple Pay before selling or giving away your device
If you're selling your iPhone or Apple Watch, sign out of your Apple ID to remove all Apple Pay data. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, enter your password, and choose whether to keep or remove your data. Select Remove from iPhone (or Apple Watch) to wipe everything, including all cards, from that device.
After you sign out, you can either factory reset the device (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) or leave it for the new owner to set up with their own Apple ID. Either way, your cards and payment information are gone.
If you do not sign out before handing over the device, the new owner could potentially use Apple Pay with your cards if they have access to your device. Signing out is the critical step.
What happens to your bank account and card after removal
Removing Apple Pay does not affect your actual card or bank account. The card stays active, your bank account keeps working, and you can still use the card in stores, online, or over the phone. You are only removing Apple Pay's access to it.
Your bank does not receive a notification that you removed Apple Pay. If you want to close the card entirely, you have to contact your bank or card issuer separately. If you want to stop using Apple Pay but keep the card active for other purposes, removal from your device is all you need to do.
If you removed a card because it was lost or stolen, contact your bank immediately to report it and request a replacement. Removing it from Apple Pay is a good step, but it does not protect the physical card or your account.
Troubleshooting: card won't remove or keeps reappearing
If you try to remove a card and it will not delete, make sure you are signed into your Apple ID. Some cards linked to Apple Pay Cash or a business account require additional steps. Try restarting your device and attempting removal again.
If a card keeps reappearing after you remove it, it may be syncing back from your Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Methods and remove it there as well. If it still returns, sign out of your Apple ID entirely, restart, and sign back in.
If you cannot remove a card because you forgot your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it. You will need access to your recovery email or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can remove the card normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to remove Apple Pay if I'm just getting a new card from my bank?
No. Your bank will send you a new card with a new number, and you can add it to Apple Pay separately. The old card will stop working once your bank deactivates it, so Apple Pay will reject it automatically at that point. You can remove the old card from Wallet whenever you want, but it is not urgent.
What if I remove a card by mistake?
You can add it back immediately. Open Wallet, tap the plus sign, and follow the prompts to re-add the card. If you have the card number and expiration date handy, it takes less than a minute. If you do not remember the details, contact your bank for the information.
Can someone use Apple Pay with my card if I give them my device?
Only if you are still signed into your Apple ID. If you sign out before handing over the device, they cannot access Apple Pay with your cards. If you stay signed in, they can use Apple Pay without entering a password on that specific device. Always sign out before giving someone your phone.
Does removing Apple Pay stop my bank from charging me fees?
No. Removing Apple Pay does not change your account or card status with your bank. If your card has an annual fee or monthly maintenance charge, those continue whether or not you use Apple Pay. Contact your bank if you want to close the account or switch to a card with no fees.
Can I remove Apple Pay from my Apple Watch but keep it on my iPhone?
Yes. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, tap the card, and select Remove. The card stays in your iPhone's Wallet and works there normally. You can remove cards from each device independently.