To use a virtual card on your iPhone, add its details (number, exp, CVV) to the Wallet app like a physical card, or use it with Apple Pay for contactless payments by double-clicking the side button and authenticating. For online purchases, it autofills in Safari or can be manually entered at checkout. Apple Cash has built-in virtual number features for secure online transactions, found by tapping your card in the Wallet app.
On iPhone
To use a virtual card in a store, first add it to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) by entering the details, then use your phone's tap-to-pay (NFC) at checkout; alternatively, some merchants allow manually typing the virtual card number and security code into the POS terminal. The most common method is linking to a digital wallet for secure tap-to-pay at modern terminals that support it, providing enhanced security over traditional cards.
Turn on a virtual card on the Google Wallet website
Find your Apple Card virtual card number, expiration date, and security code
A Virtual Card is a digital payment card linked to your bank account that you can use for secure online and in-store transactions.
A virtual card is a digital version of your actual card, with a randomly generated number that replaces your actual card number. Your virtual card is shared with the merchant when you pay online or in-app with Google Chrome autofill to help keep your actual card information safe.
Yes, you can tap with a virtual card by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then using your phone to tap the contactless reader at checkout, which uses the card's details securely without needing the physical card. Alternatively, some virtual cards allow manual entry of the card number, expiration, and CVV directly at the terminal.
Using Your Digital Wallet
Look for a symbol at the checkout counter that indicates your digital wallet is accepted. Then, open your digital wallet app, select the card you want to use, and hold your phone near the payment terminal. You'll either need to enter your PIN or use your fingerprint to confirm the payment.
A virtual credit card is a card number that's tied to your traditional credit card account but isn't the same as the number on your physical card. This helps protect you from credit card fraud.
Some merchants where the card is accepted include:
Virtual credit cards can be used for online, in-app, over-the-phone, or in-person transactions. For in-person payments, you can either key in the virtual card details at checkout or, if your issuer supports it, add the virtual card to your digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. Hold the top of your iPhone near the card reader until you see Done or a checkmark on the screen.
Yes, you can use a virtual card in stores, primarily by adding it to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless tap-to-pay, or sometimes by manually entering the card number at the reader if the retailer supports it, though they're generally designed for online use and may not work for swiping or inserting like physical cards.
Set up pay contactless
Yes, you can tap with a virtual card by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then using your phone to tap the contactless reader at checkout, which uses the card's details securely without needing the physical card. Alternatively, some virtual cards allow manual entry of the card number, expiration, and CVV directly at the terminal.
You can use digital wallets to make purchases online or to tap your device to pay in stores. Virtual card numbers are unique numbers that are different from your physical card number but are still linked to your credit card account. They're primarily for online use—to make online shopping safer and more convenient.
Simply add your virtual card details to your digital wallet and you're ready to pay online or in-store via NFC. It's important to remember that you can only use virtual cards in-store if you're paying somewhere that accepts contactless payments.
Open the Google Wallet app on your Android device. Look for the option to add a new card. This is usually done by tapping the "Add Card" button within the app. Scan your virtual card using your phone's camera or enter the details manually as instructed by the app.
The primary drawbacks of a virtual-first strategy are its limitations with in-person transactions and potential vendor acceptance issues. While ideal for online and subscription-based spending, a purely virtual approach can create friction for employees who need to make purchases in the physical world.