Does My Credit Card Work with Apple Pay? (2024)

If you’ve ever found yourself ready to make a purchase, but don’t have your credit card or cash available, or if you simply prefer making contactless payments, Apple Pay — Apple’s mobile payment service — can really come in handy. That’s because Apple Pay lets you connect your eligible credit card or debit card to your compatible iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or MacBook, and use that device to make purchases in store, within apps and on websites.

If you have a credit card issued by a U.S. bank, chances are, it can work with Apple Pay. In fact, Apple Pay is compatible with credit cards from thousands of banks and credit unions in over 60 countries across the globe.

What is Apple Pay?

Marketed as a quicker, safer and more convenient way to pay for goods and services, Apple launched its mobile payment service — Apple Pay — in 2014. Users can add their credit or debit card to Apple Pay, and make purchases without actual physical contact between their card and the payment terminal.

Apple Pay does not store your card numbers on your device or on Apple’s servers. Instead, it uses a device-specific number and unique transaction code each time you make a purchase. This means your card numbers are never shared with merchants — which adds an additional layer or security.

Apple Pay originally launched with the capability to make payments in stores and within apps. And in 2017, Apple launched the ability to send and receive payments person to person on eligible iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches using Apple Pay.

Which credit cards work with Apple Pay?

Essentially all major banks and credit unions in the U.S. support Apple Pay (as well as hundreds of banks in more than 60 countries); however, every credit card may not work with the platform. If you are unsure, reach out to the bank that issues your credit or debit card to verify.

Currently, the list includes the following:

• American Express
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Discover
• Wells Fargo
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• PNC
• Synchrony
• U.S. Bank
• USAA

See a full list of eligible banks here.

How to add your credit card to Apple Pay

To set up Apple Pay, you need to add your eligible credit card, debit card or prepaid card to the Wallet app on your compatible Apple device using the following steps:

• For an iPhone

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  Tap the add “+” icon in the Wallet app, then tap “Debit or Credit Card” to add a new card, or tap “Previous Cards” to add a card that you previously used. Next, follow the steps on the screen to add a new card and verify your information with your bank or card issuer.

• For an Apple Watch

  Open the Apple Watch app from your paired iPhone. In the “My Watch” tab, select “Wallet & Apple Pay,” then tap “Add Card.” Follow the remaining steps on the screen to add your card.

• For an iPad

  Go to “Settings,” then select “Wallet & Apple Pay.” Follow the remaining steps on the screen to add your card.

• For a Mac

  Go to “System Preferences,” then select “Wallet & Apple Pay.” Follow the remaining steps on the screen to add your card.

How to use Apple Pay

How you use Apple Pay varies depending on whether you use it to make purchases in person, online or in app. Luckily, it’s already built into your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac, so there’s no need to download an app.

Using Apple Pay in stores

1. Just place your iPhone or Apple Watch next to the payment terminal — as long as your device is turned on, it will automatically recognize an NFC (near field communication).
2. Apple Pay will then present you with the card you previously requested or the default card (which can be managed in settings). You can also go to the Wallet app and choose a card.
3. Once you authenticate yourself using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, your payment will be processed.

Using Apple Pay online or within apps

1. If you see Apple Pay as a payment option when shopping online in Safari or within an app, you can tap the Apple Pay button to select it as your payment type. Note, you may need to enter your billing, shipping and contact info the first time.
2. Next, you will confirm the payment using Face ID, entering your passcode, double-clicking the side button of your device or using Touch ID. If you’re using a Mac without Touch ID, you can confirm your payment using your Bluetooth-connected iPhone or Apple Watch.
3. Once your payment is complete, a checkmark or “Done” will appear on your screen.

Using Apple Pay person-to-person

1. To send or receive money person-to-person, open the Messages app and tap the Apple Pay icon.
2. Next, enter the amount you want to send or request, and approve the transaction using Touch ID or Face ID.

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Which Apple devices are compatible with Apple Pay?

To use Apple Pay, you need to have a compatible Apple device with the most recent version of iOS or iPadOS, watchOS or macOS. This includes the following:

Should you consider applying for the Apple Credit Card?

If you frequently use Apple Pay to shop in store and online, the Apple Credit Card offers bonus rewards on those purchases. You can apply for the Apple Credit Card directly from your iPhone, and if approved, you can start using it in the Wallet app even before your physical titanium card arrives.

The Apple Credit Card offers charges a $0 annual fee and offers 2% Daily Cash every time you use Apple Card with Apple Pay, 3% Daily Cash on all purchases made directly with Apple and select merchants and 1% on other purchases made with your physical Apple Card. Your Daily Cash will be deposited automatically into your Apple Cash account — from there, you can use it via Apple Pay to make purchases or send money to family and friends, or you can transfer it to a bank account.

But if you don’t want to be limited to earning rewards on Apple Pay transactions and Apple purchases, you should consider a card that offers a solid cash back rate on every purchase you make. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card lets cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Plus, earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, credits to a qualified Wells Fargo loan, mortgage or other credit account, cash or gift cards.

Readmore about our review of the Apple credit card.

The information related to the Apple Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.

Tracy Brackman

• Expertise: Credit cards, credit scoring, personal finance
• Education: Ohio State University, Florida International University

Tracy Brackman is a senior editor and credit card expert at LendingTree, where she writes and edits educational pieces on credit card-related topics and personal finance using her 12+ years of experience in the field.

Before joining LendingTree in 2019, Tracy worked as a products editor for CreditCards.com, where she developed the credit card products section and created content focused on breaking credit card news.

Prior to that, she worked as a product information manager for Bankrate, where she managed the financial and credit card product details and maintained compliance for two affiliate networks, as well as Bankrate-owned and operated sites.

She began working in the credit card space in 2009 as the editorial department manager for FlexOffers, an affiliate marketing company.

Tracy studied marketing at the Ohio State University and Florida International University.

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