Where to find and change your payment method
Go to paypal.com and sign in. Click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Wallet from the menu. You will see a list of all payment methods linked to your account — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Click the payment method you want to change, or click Link a new card or bank to add a different one.
If you want to remove a payment method entirely, click it, then select Remove. PayPal will not let you remove your only payment method, so you must add a new one first if you are replacing your last option.
The same steps work on the PayPal mobile app. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Wallet, and follow the same process.
Key Takeaways
- Payment methods are updated in the Wallet section of your account settings, not during checkout.
- You can add a new card or bank account without removing the old one, then set which one PayPal uses by default.
- PayPal requires at least one payment method on file at all times.
- Changes to your payment method take effect immediately for new transactions.
- If a payment fails because your card expired or was declined, update your method before attempting the transaction again.
Setting a default payment method
When you have more than one payment method on file, PayPal uses the one marked as default unless you choose a different one at checkout. To change which method is default, go to Wallet, click the payment method you want to use most often, and select Make this my preferred payment method.
This does not affect payments you have already scheduled or recurring subscriptions — those will continue using the method they were set up with. Only new one-time payments and future recurring charges will use the new default.
Adding a new card or bank account
Click Link a new card or bank in your Wallet. For a credit or debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). For a bank account, enter your routing number and account number — you can find these on a check or by logging into your bank's website.
PayPal will ask for your billing address. Make sure the zip code matches what your card issuer or bank has on file. If the zip code does not match, the card or account may be declined when you try to use it.
After you submit the information, PayPal may verify the card or account by sending a small test charge (usually under $1) or depositing a small amount into your bank account. Check your statement and follow PayPal's instructions to confirm the amount. This step can take a few business days.
What happens when a payment method fails
If a card is declined or a bank account transfer bounces, PayPal will notify you by email. The transaction will not go through, and the merchant will not receive payment. You have the option to retry the payment immediately using a different method, or to update the failed method and try again.
If you do not update your payment method and a transaction fails, the merchant may retry it automatically after a few days. Some merchants (like subscription services) will suspend your account or cancel your service if payment fails repeatedly. Check your email for notices from the merchant about what happens next.
Updating payment information for recurring charges
If you have a subscription or automatic payment set up with PayPal, changing your default payment method does not automatically update that subscription. The recurring charge will continue using the card or bank account it was originally set up with.
To change the payment method for a specific subscription, go to Settings, then Payments, then Manage automatic payments. Find the subscription in the list, click it, and select Update payment method. Choose the new card or bank account you want to use for that subscription going forward.
Removing an old or expired card
Once you have added a new payment method, you can remove the old one by going to Wallet, clicking the card or bank account you no longer want, and selecting Remove. PayPal will ask you to confirm.
If the card is expired or you no longer have access to the bank account, removing it prevents PayPal from attempting to charge it by accident. However, if you have an active subscription or recurring payment using that method, you must update it to a different payment method before you can remove the old one.
Troubleshooting payment method problems
If PayPal will not let you add a card or bank account, the most common reason is a mismatch between the information you entered and what your bank or card issuer has on file. Double-check the billing address, especially the zip code. If you recently moved, your bank may not have updated your address yet — contact them to confirm.
If a card keeps getting declined even though you know it is active, try removing it and adding it again. Sometimes PayPal's system needs a fresh verification. If the problem continues, contact your card issuer to ask whether they have blocked PayPal transactions or flagged your account for fraud review.
If you cannot see the Wallet option in your settings, you may be using an older version of the PayPal app. Update the app from your device's app store, or use paypal.com in a web browser instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different payment method for each transaction?
Yes. At checkout, PayPal shows your default payment method but gives you the option to choose a different one from your Wallet. Click Change or Edit next to the payment method to select a different card or bank account for that single transaction.
What if my card was replaced by my bank but PayPal still has the old number?
Remove the old card from your Wallet and add the new one. Your bank will not automatically update PayPal with the new number. If you do not remove the old card, PayPal may try to charge it and the transaction will fail.
Does updating my payment method affect pending transactions?
No. Transactions that are already in progress will use the payment method that was selected at the time you made the purchase. Updating your payment method only affects new transactions you make after the update.
How long does it take to verify a new bank account?
Verification usually takes one to two business days. PayPal will deposit a small amount (typically less than $1) into your account and ask you to confirm the amount in your PayPal settings. Until you confirm, you cannot use that bank account for payments.
Can I have multiple cards from the same bank on file?
Yes. You can add as many cards and bank accounts as you want. Each one appears separately in your Wallet, and you can set any of them as your default or choose a different one for each transaction.