Removing Apple Pay takes two minutes and works the same way across all your Apple devices
You delete Apple Pay by removing your card from the Wallet app on whichever device you want to stop using it on. The process is identical whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch — find the card, tap or click it, and choose the option to remove it. Your card stays active on your other devices unless you remove it from those too. If you want to stop using Apple Pay entirely, you'll need to delete it from each device separately.
Deleting a card does not close your bank account or credit card. It only removes that payment method from Apple Pay on that specific device. You can add the same card back later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Open Wallet, tap or click your card, scroll to the bottom, and select "Remove This Card" or the delete option for your device type.
- Removing a card from one device does not remove it from your iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, or iPad — you must delete it separately on each one.
- If you forget your passcode or Face ID, you cannot remove a card without resetting your device or contacting Apple Support.
- Deleted cards can be added back to Apple Pay at any time using the same card number and expiration date.
How to delete Apple Pay from an iPhone or iPad
Open the Wallet app and find the card you want to remove. Tap the card to open its details, then scroll all the way to the bottom of the screen. You'll see a red button that says "Remove This Card" — tap it and confirm when prompted.
If you have multiple cards in Wallet, you can remove them one at a time using the same steps. You must have your passcode or Face ID ready, because Apple requires authentication before you can delete a card. If you've forgotten your passcode, you'll need to reset your device through Settings or contact Apple Support before you can proceed.
How to delete Apple Pay from a Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings and go to Wallet & Apple Pay. You'll see a list of all cards currently set up. Click the card you want to remove, then click the minus button (−) at the bottom of the window. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
You may be asked to authenticate using your Apple ID password or Touch ID, depending on your Mac model and settings. If you don't see the minus button, make sure you've selected a card first — the button only appears when a card is highlighted.
How to delete Apple Pay from an Apple Watch
On your Apple Watch, open the Wallet app and find the card you want to remove. Press firmly on the card (or swipe left on older Watch models) until a menu appears, then select "Remove." Confirm when prompted.
Alternatively, you can remove a card from your Watch using your paired iPhone: open the Watch app, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, select the card, and tap "Remove Card." Both methods work equally well.
What happens after you delete a card from Apple Pay
Once you remove a card, you can no longer use Apple Pay with that card on that device. If you have other cards in Wallet, Apple Pay will still work — it will just use a different card by default. You won't receive any notifications or confirmations after deletion, and your card details are removed from that device's storage.
The card itself remains open and active with your bank or credit card company. You can still use it for in-person purchases, online checkout, or any other payment method. Deleting it from Apple Pay changes nothing about your actual account.
How to add the card back if you change your mind
If you delete a card and later want to use Apple Pay again, open Wallet and tap the plus button to add a new card. You can either photograph your physical card or enter the number, expiration date, and security code manually. Apple will verify the card with your bank, which usually takes a few seconds.
You don't need permission from your bank to re-add a card you've already used with Apple Pay. The process is the same as adding any new card, and you can do it as many times as you want.
Deleting Apple Pay when you lose your device or change phones
If you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch, you can remove your cards remotely using Find My iPhone or Find My. Open Find My on another Apple device, select the lost device, and choose "Erase This Device." This will delete all data, including your Apple Pay cards, from that device.
When you get a new device and sign in with your Apple ID, your cards may automatically re-add to Apple Pay if you have iCloud Keychain enabled. If you don't want them to come back, you can delete them again using the steps above. If you want to prevent automatic re-adding, turn off iCloud Keychain in Settings before signing in on the new device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete Apple Pay without deleting my bank account?
Yes. Deleting Apple Pay only removes the payment method from your device. Your bank account and credit card remain open and active. You can still use the card for other purchases, and you can add it back to Apple Pay anytime.
What if I forgot my passcode and can't delete the card?
You'll need to reset your device to remove the card without the passcode. Go to Settings, tap General, select Reset, and choose "Erase All Content and Settings." This will delete everything on your device, including Apple Pay. After setup, you can choose not to add the card back.
Does deleting a card from my iPhone also delete it from my Apple Watch?
No. Each device stores its own copy of your cards. You must delete the card separately on your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad. Removing it from one device does not affect the others.
Will my bank know if I delete Apple Pay?
No. Your bank has no way of knowing whether you use Apple Pay or not. Deleting the card from Apple Pay is a change only on your device — it doesn't send any notification to your bank or affect your account in any way.
Can I delete just one card and keep others in Apple Pay?
Yes. You can remove individual cards while keeping others active. Open Wallet, select the card you want to remove, and follow the deletion steps. Your other cards will continue to work normally in Apple Pay.