How to Turn Off Apple Payment and Stop Automatic Charges

How to disable Apple Pay and remove payment methods from your account

You can turn off Apple Pay on your device without closing your Apple ID account. The steps depend on whether you want to stop using Apple Pay altogether, remove a specific card, or prevent charges from a particular app or subscription. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, and toggle off Apple Pay at the top. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Wallet & Apple Pay, and uncheck the box next to Apple Pay. You can also remove individual cards by selecting them and tapping Delete.

If you want to keep Apple Pay but stop a recurring charge, you do not need to disable the whole system. Instead, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions, find the subscription you want to cancel, and tap Cancel Subscription. This stops the charge without touching Apple Pay itself. If a charge already went through and you want your money back, that is a refund request, not a payment method change — handle that through your bank or through Apple directly by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History.

Key Takeaways

Turning off Apple Pay in Settings stops the feature from working on your device, but does not cancel subscriptions or refund past charges.
To stop a recurring charge, cancel the subscription in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions rather than disabling Apple Pay.
Removing a card from Wallet & Apple Pay prevents that specific card from being used, but does not affect other payment methods on file.
If you were charged without permission, contact your bank or Apple Support to dispute the charge or request a refund.

Turning off Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad

Open Settings and scroll down to find Wallet & Apple Pay. Tap it, then toggle off the switch at the top that says Apple Pay. This disables the feature entirely on that device. You will no longer be able to pay with your phone or watch at stores, online, or in apps. Any cards you have saved will stay in your Wallet, but they cannot be used for Apple Pay transactions.

If you only want to remove one card instead of disabling Apple Pay completely, stay in Wallet & Apple Pay, tap the card you want to remove, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete Card. The card is removed from Apple Pay but remains in your Apple ID account. You can add it back later if you change your mind.

Turning off Apple Pay on Mac and Apple Watch

On a Mac, open System Settings, click Wallet & Apple Pay in the sidebar, and uncheck the box next to Apple Pay. This turns off the feature for that Mac. You will not be able to pay with your Mac at online stores or in apps that use Apple Pay.

On an Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, and toggle off Apple Pay. You can also remove individual cards from the watch by tapping them and selecting Remove. If you turn off Apple Pay on the watch but leave it on your iPhone, you can still pay with your phone — the watch just will not have access to your cards.

Stopping a subscription or recurring charge

If you want to stop being charged for a subscription but do not need to disable Apple Pay itself, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions. You will see a list of active subscriptions. Find the one you want to cancel, tap it, and tap Cancel Subscription. The charge stops when ready, though you may keep access until the current billing period ends depending on the service.

Some subscriptions are managed by the app itself rather than through Apple. If you do not see a subscription in the Apple list, open the app and look for a Settings or Account section within the app. Many streaming services, news apps, and fitness apps let you cancel directly in the app instead of through Apple Settings.

Removing a payment method from your Apple ID

Your Apple ID can have multiple payment methods on file — credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Gift Cards. To remove one, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Method. Tap the card or method you want to remove, then tap Delete. You must have at least one payment method on file if you want to make purchases through the App Store or iTunes, so you cannot delete your last method.

If you want to keep your Apple ID but remove all payment methods, you can set your payment method to None. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment Method, tap Edit, and select None. This means you cannot buy apps or make in-app purchases unless you add a payment method back. You can still read free apps and use free services.

What happens when you turn off Apple Pay

Turning off Apple Pay stops the feature from working on that specific device, but it does not cancel subscriptions, refund past charges, or close your Apple ID account. If you have an active subscription, it will continue to charge you even after you disable Apple Pay, because the subscription is tied to your Apple ID, not to the payment method. You must cancel the subscription separately to stop those charges.

If you turn off Apple Pay on your iPhone but leave it on on your iPad or Apple Watch, those devices can still use Apple Pay. Turning it off on one device does not affect the others. Your cards remain saved in your Apple ID account, so you can turn Apple Pay back on anytime by going to the same Settings menu and toggling it back on.

Disputing a charge or requesting a refund

If you were charged for something you did not buy, or if a charge went through by mistake, you have two options. First, contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charge. They can reverse it and investigate whether the transaction was authorized. Second, contact Apple directly through Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History. Find the charge, tap it, and select Report a Problem. Apple can refund the charge if they determine it was unauthorized or made in error.

Keep in mind that disputing a charge with your bank and requesting a refund from Apple are separate processes. If you dispute with your bank, Apple may lock your account temporarily while they investigate. It is usually faster to request a refund directly from Apple first, then contact your bank only if Apple denies the refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off Apple Pay cancel my subscriptions?

No. Turning off Apple Pay only disables the payment feature on your device. Subscriptions are tied to your Apple ID, not to Apple Pay, so they will continue to charge you. You must cancel each subscription separately in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to stop the charges.

Can I remove a card from Apple Pay but keep using it for other purchases?

Yes. Removing a card from Wallet & Apple Pay only stops it from being used for Apple Pay transactions. The card remains in your Apple ID account and can still be used for App Store purchases, iTunes, and other Apple services. You can also use the physical card anywhere else.

What if I turn off Apple Pay and then want to use it again?

You can turn Apple Pay back on anytime by going to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggling it on. Your saved cards will still be there. If you removed a card, you will need to add it back by tapping the plus sign and entering the card details again.

Will turning off Apple Pay affect my Apple ID account or other services?

No. Disabling Apple Pay does not affect your Apple ID, email, iCloud storage, or any other Apple services. You can still use the App Store, iTunes, and iCloud. You just will not be able to pay with your phone or watch until you turn Apple Pay back on.

How do I stop a charge that already went through?

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, find the charge, tap it, and select Report a Problem. Describe why you want a refund, and Apple will review it. You can also contact your bank to dispute the charge, though Apple refunds are usually faster.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.