Apple Pay Not Working? Here’s How to Fix it
Apple Pay is growing as a convenience of the modern world. The number of outlets that now let you use the NFC technology in your iPhone to pay for goods is increasing, and it’s arguably the fastest and most secure way to make your transactions (alongside wireless chip cards).
But Apple Pay isn’t perfect, and sometimes it can stop working. There are many potential reasons why this happens, and we’re here to take you through some of the most common (and least common) fixes for Apple Pay not working.
- Is Your Phone Case Interfering?
- Sign Out and Back in to Your Apple Account
- Make Sure Apple Pay Isn’t Down
- Try Using a Different Reader
- Manually Select a Card
- Restart Your iPhone
- Charge Your iPhone
- Re-Add Your Card
- Always Choose Credit
- Ensure You Have Internet
- Contact Your Bank
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is Your Phone Case Interfering?
It may seem like an obvious suggestion, but phone cases can interfere with the NFC communications that Apple Pay relies upon. The rubber heavy-duty shockproof cases that encase your entire phone can sometimes be too thick for the NFC to work. Cases that have metal or magnetic elements to them (such as those that attach to in-car mounts) can be problematic as well.
The best way to test this is, of course, to take your iPhone out of its case and test Apple Pay. If it works this way but not when it’s in the case, then you may need to look into getting a new phone case.
Sign Out and Back in to Your Apple Account
Some users who have been attempting to use Apple Pay between their iPhone or Apple Watch and an NFC reader on their Mac have reported this solution. While this method has worked when using Apple Pay with a Mac, it’s also worth trying if Apple Pay on your phone doesn’t work in shops or other scenarios. You have to sign out and back in to your Apple account.
On your iPhone or iPad, please do the following: (We’re using an iPad for this tutorial.)
- Confirm you want to sign out. If you want to keep a copy of any of your information on the device, check the applicable items. Everything you’ve stored in iCloud remains in iCloud.
- Sign back in by going to “Settings” again and tapping on the “Sign in to your iPhone/iPad” at the top.
- If you’re using a Mac, click “Apple menu. System Preferences. iCloud. Sign Out.”
- Sign in again.
Make Sure Apple Pay Isn’t Down
If Apple Pay isn’t working, you may assume that something isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad, but that isn’t always the case. It could simply be that the web service that Apple Pay uses on the backend is currently down. If this is the case, you may just need to wait a few minutes until it’s back up.
The good news is that you won’t be stuck wondering if that’s the case with no confirmation. You can take a look at the Apple System Status website to see if there are any problems with the Apple Pay service. If Apple Pay shows as up and running, you can move on to the other tips here.
Try Using a Different Reader
If you’re trying to use Apple Pay at a store, we’re assuming you’ve already checked to ensure the store supports Apple Pay. Even if it does, you may run into trouble at certain terminals. If this is the case, you may want to check to see if the store has another terminal.
Try multiple terminals, if available. It could simply be that one of the terminals doesn’t work well with Apple Pay. If another terminal works for you, keep this in mind for future reference, if it’s a store you frequent.
Manually Select a Card
It’s possible that even if an Apple Pay-ready terminal will work with your phone, its NFC reader hasn’t properly detected Apple Pay. If you find that simply holding your phone up to the terminal doesn’t work, try selecting a card manually.
To do this, go into the Wallet app, then select the card you want to use. Hold your phone next to the reader. If this works, use Touch ID or Face ID when prompted, and your transaction should complete.
Restart Your iPhone
If none of the above options work for you, or if you are not using it at a store and are using it to buy something online, there are a few other steps you can try. The simplest is just to restart your phone.
People often assume that such a simple fix will never actually work. In reality, various stats and bits and pieces of data are reset inside your phone when you restart it. It’s possible that one of these was affecting Apple Pay, so a restart should fix that.
Charge Your iPhone
Another seemingly simple way to fix the Apple Pay not working problem is to simply charge your iPhone. The lower your battery, the more features that turn off to help preserve the remaining battery. If it drops to around 10%, Apple Pay may not work, so charge your device before shopping.
Re-Add Your Card
If you have a card that consistently has issues with Apple Pay, you may want to try removing it and re-adding it to Apple Pay. This is also handy if you’ve just received a new card from your credit card company, as the changed details may not always automatically register with Apple Pay.
To do this, open “Settings. Wallet Apple Pay” on your phone. Select the card you want to re-add, then tap “Remove Card.” Return to “Settings. Wallet Apple Pay,” select “Add Credit or Debit Card,” and follow the prompts to add your card.
Always Choose Credit
It may seem odd, but sometimes if you choose debit as your payment method on the payment terminal, Apple Pay won’t work. Try selecting credit, even if you’re using a debit card. This may solve the issue and allow you to pay with your debit card with no problem.
Ensure You Have Internet
While you may have a strong Wi-Fi signal at home, the stores you visit don’t always offer guest Wi-Fi, and you need a strong cellular or mobile data signal. If you’re having Apple Pay not working issues, check your signal strength. A weak connection could be the issue.
If you consistently have Internet problems with your iPhone, check out our list of fixes for cellular data not working.
Contact Your Bank
If you’ve exhausted all other methods, it’s possible your card is the issue. You can test the physical card in a store to see if it works. If not, contact your bank. Occasionally, credit and debit cards glitch and don’t work properly when physically swiping them or in mobile wallets.
Your bank may need to reissue you a replacement card. The card readers the store uses may also be having trouble with specific types of cards, and the bank may be able to resolve the issue for you and other customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Apple Pay accepting my card?
The most common reason is your card wasn’t issued by a participating bank, or the bank doesn’t allow that specific type of card to be used in digital wallets. Check with your bank to make sure. Some chip cards are known to have issues when trying to connect with Apple Pay. Contact your bank to find out whether this is the problem.
If my card’s expiration date changes, will this affect Apple Pay?
Yes. Your expiration date is just as important as your credit card number. If either one of these changes, you must update your card information in Apple Pay. Otherwise, the app sees your card as expired and won’t work. If you’re suddenly having issues with a card you’ve been using for a while, compare the card and the app to see if the expiration date has changed.
Why is Apple Pay not working while traveling?
While Apple Pay is widely accepted in many countries and regions, it’s not available everywhere. Before traveling, ensure Apple Pay is accepted where you’ll be visiting.
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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How to Find CVV Number of Credit Card in Apple Wallet
If you have credit cards saved into Apple Wallet on the iPhone for ease of use and Apple Pay, like the Apple Card, then you may occasionally run into a situation where you need the CVV code number, or security code number, that is associated with that credit card.
By now you’ve probably tapped around on the Wallet to no avail, tapping on a card doesn’t show you what you’re looking for, so what next? It turns out the security code is tucked a little layer deeper in the Wallet app.
How to Find Credit Card Security Code in Apple Wallet
Making a purchase and need the CVV security code of your Apple credit card? Here’s how you can find that in the Wallet app:
- Open the Apple Wallet app on iPhone
- Tap on “Apple Card”
- Tap the three dots button in the upper right corner, it looks like (…)
- Tap on “Card Information” and look for “See Security Code”
And there you go, you can find the three digit CVV security code, which you sometimes need for verification when making purchases.
Curiously, there does not seem to be a way to get this information from some other credit cards added into Apple Wallet, and there also does not appear to be a way to get much of this information from the Apple Pay section of System Preferences on a Mac. These seem to be critical features that are missing from the Wallet app, so perhaps they’ll be added down the road.
Do you know of another way to get the security code CVV number from Apple Wallet or from credit cards added to your iPhone? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев!
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22 Комментарии и мнения владельцев
️️️️️Brilliant idea. Except Afterpay has no physical card! Doesn’t even let me see the account number let alone CCV ♂️
I have tried to find this and it’s just simply not there according to the I instructions. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and I still can’t find my card number or cvv. Is there another way to find out my card number and cvv?
How to fix Apple Pay not working on iPhone | Apple tech world
It may be worth removing this post completely since it does not work for the majority of posters here (including myself). Best, Dale
I don’t have a credit card 123 icon, I only have ellipsis on my Wallet cards. If I tap on that with Apple Card I see the CVV. If I tap on that with other cards I do not. Since everyone seems to be having a different issue here, my thinking is that the implementation is different, depending on the cards and depending on maybe some other factor. This is one thing I don’t like about Modern Apple, consistency is lacking.
I make a Contact card for each credit card in my Wallet app. In the notes section of that Contact card I write the card’s expiration date and CVV, plus anything else that might be useful to know about that CC. I don’t write the card number there, but at least I have access to the other information I occasionally need. Hope this helps…
Hi, This does not work for me either. Running iOS15.5 on iPhone 13. “See security code” is not present as an option after pressing on “…”.
Works for me with Apple Card on iOS 15.5 but it does not work with my other card in iOS 15.5, Way to be consistent Apple, the Microsoft of the modern era.
Hello, Not for me with a Visa card. iOS 15.5, iPhone 12 Pro, the 3 dots do not reveal “Card Information”. Cheers, Peter
Does anyone proof these articles? Is is NOT the “…” that reveals the CVV, but the icon to the left of the three dots that looks like the back of a credit card.
Mark, I access my code exactly like you did. Proof-reading mistakes like this occur 2 or 3 times a week in this newsletter. My j-professor was ruthless about stuff like this. Ouch!
I don’t have an icon that looks like the back of a card next to mine, I only have the three dots button, Mark. Mark do you proof read your Комментарии и мнения владельцев before posting them?! There is no icon that shows the back of a credit card! The only button to the left is ‘Done’ and that closes the credit card. Mark, why are you making things up and leading us astray? At least the article is accurate! I think the Комментарии и мнения владельцев bozos posting anything they want causes confusion since clearly they don’t know what they are doing! ~ Peter, iPhoneOS 15.5 with iPhone 12, Apple Card PS: Here is what Apple says, which does not even work for me either, so maybe they proof read like Mark does: On your iPhone.Open the Wallet app and tap Apple CardTap the card number icon. then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcodeNext to Card Number, you can see your virtual card number. https://support.Apple.com/en-us/HT212269
This does not work for me. Running iOS15.5 on iPhone 11 Pro Max, phone says “up to date”. “See security code” is not present as an option after pressing on “…”.
iPhone 7 Apple pay
SmarTrip in your Apple Wallet gives customers new and unparalleled convenience to use their iPhone or Apple Watch anywhere SmarTrip is accepted. for the train, on a bus or at a Metro-owned parking lot.
When paired with the new SmarTrip app, customers have access to a fare machine right from your phone! This new SmarTrip experience will allow customers to create a touch-free experience while getting access to funds and passes. now funds can be added quickly to any SmarTrip Card in Apple Wallet, purchase money saving passes, set up Auto Reload, and check Smart Benefits.
SmarTrip in Apple Wallet is available for regular, full fare and Senior travelers.
Add a SmarTrip to your Apple Wallet
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the “”
- Choose Transit Cards, then choose SmarTrip
- Enter an amount to add to your SmarTrip
- Confirm your purchase
- Your SmarTrip is now in Apple Wallet, ready for use
Transfer your plastic SmarTrip cards to your Apple Wallet
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the “”
- Choose Transit Cards, then choose SmarTrip
- Tap Transfer Existing Card
- Provide your card and account information
- Place the card against the back of your iPhone
- Your SmarTrip is now in Apple Wallet, ready for use
SmarTrip App. a fare machine in your !
- Add funds quickly to any SmarTrip card in Apple Wallet
- Buy money-saving passes
- Check balances
- Set up Auto Reload
- Check SmartBenefits from your employer
SmarTrip in Apple Wallet is available at all 97 Metrorail stations in DC, Maryland and Virginia, all Metro parking garages and lots, all Metrobus routes, and all regional bus providers, including ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector, Cue, RideON, THE Bus, Circulator, Loudoun County Transit, and OmniRide.
There are 3 ways to add a SmarTrip card to your Apple iPhone. 1. Use Apple Wallet to buy a new SmarTrip. 2. Use the SmarTrip app to buy a new SmarTrip card. 3. Transfer an existing registered plastic SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet using Apple Wallet. You cannot pay a fare using the SmarTrip app alone; you will first need to add SmarTrip to Apple Wallet.
SmarTrip card can only be on a single device at one time. You may have a SmarTrip card on your iPhone and Apple Watch as long as they are two separate cards.
Once you transfer your physical card to Apple Wallet, the physical card will be disabled and will no longer work.
Question Mark
Learn About the SmarTrip App
Pay With Your iPhone: How to Set Up and Use Apple Pay
With Apple Pay, you can purchase items online and at physical retailers like Target or McDonald’s via your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Here’s how it works.
(Credit: René Ramos, Apple)
Whether you’re shopping at your favorite online store or buying items at a brick-and-mortar merchant like Target or McDonald’s, paying with your phone is often easier and quicker than digging around for a credit card or the right amount of cash. That’s why mobile payment apps have increasingly caught on with consumers.
Apple Pay is the default payment method for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac owners. By connecting a credit or debit card through the app, your iPhone or Apple Watch can be used to pay for items at physical stores and at online retailers. You can also use your iPad or Mac to buy items at supported websites. Authenticate the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN, and the funds are taken from your account.
To use Apple Pay, you will need a compatible device (Opens in a new window) and operating system version. For instance, you only need iOS 8.1 to use the app, but if you also want Apple Cash to send and receive money from people, you need iOS 15.5 or higher. Here‘s how to set up Apple Pay on all your devices.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad
On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner, then choose Debit or Credit Card and tap Continue. You can now add your credit or debit card one of two ways. You can have your phone scan it with the camera in order to capture your name, number, and expiration date.
Why Does Apple Pay Not Working on iPhone? Solve It Easily
Alternatively, tap Enter Card Details Manually to type the number and expiration date. With either method, you must also manually enter the security code on the back of the card. Tap Next, then type the expiration date and agree to the terms and conditions.
You must then validate your card through email, text, or a phone call to the bank. Once the code is entered, your card will be approved and added to the Wallet app for later use via Apple Pay.
If you want to set up Apple Pay on your iPad to purchase items online (or in physical stores), you will find that there is no Wallet app. Instead, you must add a card under Settings Wallet Apple Pay, then tap Add Card.
Select Debit or Credit Card to add a new card, then enter the card information, like you would do on an iPhone. Tap Previous Cards to add a payment option that you previously added to your iPhone. You will see a list of the cards you added to your iPhone.
Uncheck any that you don’t want to add to the iPad, then tap Continue. You will then need to verify the card through text, email, or a phone call to the card issuer.
Add an Apple Pay Card
Apple Card, the company’s own credit card, can also be added to Apple Pay and shared with your Family Sharing group. From the Wallet app, tap the plus button, then choose Apply for Apple Card and tap Continue. Confirm your name and phone number, then enter your date of birth and confirm your address.
You must then verify your identity by typing the last four digits of your Social Security number. Tap Next, then enter your yearly income. Tap Next, review the terms and conditions for the Apple Card, and tap Agree.
If you’re approved, you should see a screen with your credit limit, APR, and fees. To get the card, tap Accept Apple Card. If you want to set Apple Card as your default payment option for your Wallet, Apple Watch, Safari, Apple ID, and Apple Pay tap Set as Preferred Card.
You are also given the option to receive the physical titanium Apple Card to use at merchants that don’t accept Apple Pay. Tap Continue to get the card, then review your address and tap Confirm.
You should then see the activity screen for your Apple Card, which will be populated with a balance and activity after you start using the card.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on Your Apple Watch
You can add a card for Apple Pay to an Apple Watch. Toward the end of the setup process when you add a card to your iPhone, you’re asked if you’d like to add it to your Apple Watch. To do so, tap Add Now and enter the security code. The card is then made available from your watch.
However, if you did not do this during the initial setup, you can manually add a card from the Watch app on your iPhone. Open Wallet Apple Pay and tap Add Card to add a new card. For a card you already added on your iPhone, scroll to the section called Other Cards On Your Phone and click Add next to any card you wish to use from your watch.
To view the cards on your Apple Watch, open the Wallet app on the watch. Swipe down to view the cards that have been added. You can also add a card from the watch itself if you swipe to the bottom of the screen and tap Add Card. You can then add a new card or one from your iPhone.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on Your Mac
To access your cards from a Mac, go to System Preferences Wallet Apple Pay and click the Add Card button. The next screen shows you the cards that have already been added to Apple Pay.
Uncheck any you don’t want to add and click Next. You must then enter the security code for any card to be made available on your Mac. You can add a new card if you click Add a Different Credit or Debit Card.
The card can be entered by scanning it or entering the information manually. Accept the terms and conditions, then verify the card through email, text, or a phone call to the issuer.
Customize Apple Pay Settings
After adding multiple cards to Apple Pay, there are several settings that can be tweaked to improve your experience with the app. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings Wallet Apple Pay or head to System Preferences Wallet Apple Pay from a Mac.
From your iPhone, you can change the following:
- Enable or disable the the need to double-click the Side button to view your cards.
- Enable or disable the ability to use Apple Pay in Safari AutoFill on compatible websites.
- Allow your phone to confirm payments on a nearby Mac.
- Add orders directly to the Wallet app.
How to Change Your Default Card
You can change your default card on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This is the card that automatically appears when you submit payment for an item. To do this, open to the Wallet Apple Pay settings screen and tap Default Card under the Transaction Defaults section. Check the card you wish to use.
On a Mac, click the Default Card drop-down menu at the bottom of the window and change it to your preferred card.
How to Use Apple Pay
Now that Apple Pay is set up on all your devices, it’s time to use the app. If you want to pay for an item at a physical retailer using your iPhone (or iPad), place your device near the terminal or payment reader. Once it’s in the right spot, Apple Pay should appear with your default card visible.
You can switch to a different card by swiping up on your list of cards. Tap the one you want to use. When you’re ready to make the payment, double-tap and then click the Side button on your device and verify the purchase via Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN.
To pay for an item online with your iPhone or iPad, initiate the purchase, then double-tap the side button when prompted. You must then verify the payment with Face ID, Touch ID, or your PIN.
To pay for an item in a physical store or a website with your Apple Watch, double-tap the Side button on the watch to display your debit and credit cards. Tap the card you wish to use, then double-tap the Side button to purchase the item.
To pay for an item online with your Mac, browse to a website or app that accepts Apple Pay. Click the price or purchase button for the item you wish to buy, then authenticate the transaction using Touch ID. The item is then purchased.
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PayPal Apple Pay. Can I use it?
Apple’s digital wallet. Apple Pay¹. is a handy way to make purchases in person and online. Unfortunately at the moment, you can’t use Apple Pay and PayPal together. although you can link your Apple ID to PayPal for some in app purchases. This guide will tell you how.
Apple Pay and PayPal. the basics
As we have noted, you can’t use your PayPal account with Apple Pay. That means you can’t use PayPal to fund contactless purchases on the iPhone or Apple Watch. It’s also worth noting that you can’t use a PayPal Cash Card with Apple Pay.²
It is, however, possible to add PayPal to your Apple ID to make in app purchases. That means you can use PayPal to buy from the App Store, Apple Books or iTunes, or to buy Apple iCloud storage.
Try Wise instead
You can’t link your PayPal account or card to Apple Pay. But you can access simple, low cost payments using Apple Pay, if you use a Wise multi-currency account and Mastercard instead. If you’re spending overseas, or shopping online with retailers based abroad, this may also save you money compared to PayPal.
Get a Wise multi-currency account online to hold dozens of currencies and access currency conversion at the mid-market rate. Simply switch to the currency you need for a low, upfront charge, and you can spend using the card, with no additional foreign transaction fees. Link to Apple Pay for convenience, and you’re all set.
How to add PayPal to your Apple ID
You can use PayPal for purchases using Apple ID. Here’s how to link your PayPal account and Apple ID.⁴
On an iPhone or iPad:
- Click Settings followed by your name
- Select iTunes App Store
- Choose Apple ID, then View Apple ID
- Tap Payment Information, select PayPal and add the required information
On Mac and PC:
- Open iTunes and hit Account at the top of the screen
- Select View My Account
- Add your Apple ID password, then hit Edit, to the right of Payment Type
- Choose PayPal and click Done in the bottom right corner
- Log into the Apple website⁵ and select Payments Shipping
- Click Edit, Select Payment Method and then PayPal
- Hit Save and you’re done
So there you have it. You can’t use PayPal with Apple Pay. but you can make a limited number of purchases by linking PayPal to your Apple ID. For Apple Pay, why not link to a Wise multi-currency account and Mastercard instead, to save money when you shop.
- Apple. Apple Pay
- PayPal Support Center Can I add my PayPal Cashback Mastercard or PayPal Extras Mastercard to Apple Pay?
- Apple Support Center Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID
- 9to5mac How to use PayPal for your Apple ID payment method
- Apple. AppleID
All sources checked on 19 May 2020
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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