How do I activate Apple Pay for the first time?

Asked by: Albina Fahey  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (26 votes)

To get started on iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the plus symbol. Then add a credit or debit card by tapping the back of your iPhone with your eligible card. You'll have the option to add your card to your other devices at the same time. When you want to pay, just double-click, tap, and you're set.

Why is my Apple Pay not activating?

Apple pay - Can't activate debit card
  • Go to: Settings > iCloud - at the bottom of the screen, Sign out.
  • Go to: Settings > Touch ID & Passcode - Turn Passcode off.
  • Restart your iPhone.
  • Sign back in to iCloud, turn Passcode back on and try again to add your card.

What button activates Apple Pay?

Pay with your iPhone

To use your default card: If your iPhone has Face ID, double-click the side button. If prompted, authenticate with Face ID or enter your passcode to open Apple Wallet. If your iPhone has Touch ID, double-click the Home button.

Is using Apple Wallet the same as Apple Pay?

What is the difference between Apple Pay and Apple Wallet? Apple Pay is a safe way to pay and make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web. Apple Wallet is the place where you store your credit or debit cards so you can use them with Apple Pay.

What is the disadvantage of Apple Pay?

Cons of Apple Pay

Apple Pay is not accepted at all retailers and not compatible with all banks or card issuers. Backup may be required, just in case. Apple Pay only works if your phone does. You may still need to carry a physical credit card as a backup in case your battery dies or you misplace your phone.

How To Setup Apple Pay On ANY iPhone!

26 related questions found

How do I manually activate Apple Pay?

Adding a credit or debit card is as easy as opening the Wallet app, tapping the plus symbol, and tapping the back of your iPhone with an eligible card. Or add a card manually — open the Wallet app, tap the plus symbol, and follow the steps onscreen. You'll have to verify your information with your bank or card issuer.

Does Apple Pay charge a fee?

Apple Pay transactions incur no more charges for customers or businesses than traditional credit card transactions do. While there might be some setup costs, purchases such as NFC-enabled payment terminals can be a good investment to keep the organization up to date and provide a smoother checkout process.

Does Apple Pay run as credit or debit?

Apple Cash is a digital card in your Apple wallet that allows you to send and receive money in Messages or Wallet, while Apple Pay lets you make contactless purchases using Apple Cash or the Apple Credit Card, or credit card or debit cards that appear in your Wallet.

Why is Apple Pay asking for my SSN?

To help protect your identity, you may be asked to provide additional information for verification, such as uploading the front and back of your government-issued identification, providing your full SSN, or entering a verification code sent to a phone number that Apple's identity verification service provider has ...

Why is Apple charging me?

A charge on your financial statement from apple.com/bill could be for apps, subscriptions, music and movie purchases, or more from Apple.

How to check if Apple Pay is working?

  1. Check that you're able to use Apple Pay: • Contact your card issuer to see if they support Apple Pay. • Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, watchOS, or macOS. • ...
  2. Check for services outages or connection issues.
  3. If you see the message "Could Not Add Card" or "Invalid Card," contact your bank or card issuer.

Why won't my Apple Pay start?

If Apple Pay is not working on your iPhone, make sure the terminal works with Apple Pay. If it does, try selecting the credit card manually from your Wallet app. Other tips include replacing your credit card in the Wallet app and signing out and back into your Apple ID.

How do I activate Apple Pay on my new phone?

Add a debit or credit card
  1. Go to the Wallet app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap. . ...
  3. Add any of the following types of cards: A new card: Tap Debit or Credit Card, tap Continue, then hold iPhone near the chip on the card. ...
  4. Verify your information with your bank or card issuer.

Is it better to use debit or credit card for Apple Pay?

If you pay with Apple Pay using a debit card, there are no additional fees. Finally, there is no fee for transferring money to another Apple Pay user from a debit card linked to Apple Pay. However, you will pay a 3% fee if you transfer money to an individual using a credit card linked to Apple Pay.

Does Apple Pay come out of your bank account?

Apple Pay transactions will be deducted from your balance including pending transactions immediately, but you will not see them on your Mobile app or Online Banking until the bank has received them and posted them to your account.

How to use Apple Pay at a store?

Use Apple Pay at a store

Double-click the lock button on the right side of your iPhone. Use Face ID or Touch ID to verify your identity. Hold your phone up to the contactless reader.

What is the difference between Apple Pay and Apple Wallet?

Apple Pay and Apple Wallet are related parts of the same system–the one that lets you pay for items both in person and online with your iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch. But while Apple Pay is the name of the whole digital payment option, Wallet is the app on your phone that stores the cards you use there.

What grocery stores take Apple Pay?

Grocery stores and drug stores that accept Apple Pay:
  • Acme Markets.
  • Albertsons.
  • ALDI.
  • Bashas'
  • BI-LO.
  • Cub Foods.
  • Costco.
  • CVS.

How safe is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is designed with your security and privacy in mind, making it a simpler and more secure way to pay than using your physical credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Apple Pay uses security features built-in to the hardware and software of your device to help protect your transactions.

Does Apple Pay have a monthly fee?

Apple does not charge any fees for Apple Pay. But the various cards you use within Apple Pay may charge fees. Apple Pay should not be confused with Apple Card (An Apple sponsored credit card, which of course has fees for some things).

Why don't people use Apple Pay?

The Problem of Not Fixing One

For consumers to use Apple Pay in the store, a merchant needed to accept contactless payment. That was 19% of U.S. merchants in 2015; it's estimated to be 70% of merchants in 2021. Consumers also had to have a particular model of iPhone to activate Apple Pay – the iPhone 6 or 6S.

Why do I have to enter my PIN when using Apple Pay?

In some countries and regions, you might need to enter your PIN, sign your receipt, or use other methods of verification as a request from the merchant or card issuer. Card issuers and merchants may set transaction limits or PIN requirements. Please contact the card issuer or merchant for more details.