What is the difference between Apple Pay and Apple Wallet?

Asked by: Bennie Stokes  |  Last update: August 6, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (42 votes)

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.

Is using Apple Wallet the same as Apple Pay?

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.

Does Apple Wallet connect to Apple Pay?

Use the Wallet app to securely keep your credit and debit cards for Apple Pay, driver's license or state ID, transit cards, event tickets, keys, and more—in one convenient place for easy access.

What are the disadvantages of Apple Wallet?

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.

Do I need my Wallet if I have Apple Pay?

After I enroll in Apple Pay™, do I still have to carry my credit or debit card(s) in my wallet? Yes. There are still many retail outlets that do not accept Apple PayTM, so you will need your physical cards at those stores.

Apple Pay vs Apple Wallet - The Difference Explained

39 related questions found

Does Apple Pay charge a fee?

Does it cost extra to use Apple Pay? No. Apple does not charge any fees when you pay with Apple Pay — in stores, online, or in apps.

How do I use Apple wallet and pay?

How to pay using Apple Pay in stores and other places
  1. To use your default card: If your iPhone has Face ID, double-click the side button. ...
  2. To use a different card, tap your default card to see your other cards. ...
  3. Hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless reader until Done and a checkmark appear on the display.

Is it safe to put a credit card in Apple Wallet?

When you add a credit, debit, prepaid, or transit card (where available) to Apple Pay, information that you enter on your device is encrypted and sent to Apple servers. If you use the camera to enter the card information, the information is never saved on your device or photo library.

Why don't more people use Apple Pay?

The survey results suggest that the top reason for using mobile tap-and-pay is because it is more usable than traditional debit or credit cards. In contrast, our survey identified user security concerns as the top reason for not using Apple Pay. In fact, Apple Pay nonusers were not too concerned about usability.

Should I put my debit card on Apple Pay?

That means information you transfer online—like your card info—could end up in the hands of thieves spying on public Wi-Fi networks in hopes of intercepting data. So avoid adding your debit or credit card info to Apple Pay on public Wi-Fi. Instead, do it at home on your password-protected network.

How safe is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is considered relatively safe from hackers due to its multiple security layers. It replaces your card details with a unique device account number, encrypts all transactions, and requires Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to authorize payments.

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.

Is Apple Pay a credit card?

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.

Does Walmart take Apple Pay?

No, Walmart does not directly accept Apple Cash. However, there is a workaround. You can transfer your Apple Cash balance to a debit card linked to your Apple Wallet and then use that debit card as a payment method through Walmart Pay.

Can you access Apple Pay without a phone?

Once you set up Apple Pay in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you're ready to make store purchases—even when you don't have your iPhone with you. (Apple Pay isn't available in all countries and regions.)

What are the downsides of Apple Pay?

While these may not be reasons to completely avoid using this payment method, it's still wise to consider the downsides Apple Pay has.
  • Potential for Fraudulent Contactless Charges. Image Credit: Apple. ...
  • Apple Pay Only Works on Apple Devices. ...
  • Apple Pay Isn't Universally Accepted. ...
  • You Can't Pay if Your Device's Battery Is Dead.

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.

Can someone steal your card info from Apple Pay?

But just because scammers can't steal your credit card numbers using Apple Pay doesn't mean they can't steal your money. Apple Cash is a feature that allows you to send money to other Apple Pay users. Criminals target Apple Cash because it's a peer-to-peer digital wallet that doesn't offer buyer protection.

Is Apple Pay the same as Apple Wallet?

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.

Can someone use my debit card without my PIN?

Fraudsters can still use your debit card even if they don't have the card itself. They don't even need your PIN—just your card number. If you've used your debit card for an off-line transaction (a transaction without your PIN), your receipt will show your full debit card number.

Which is better, Zelle or Apple Pay?

Clark's Take on Whether Apple Pay Is a Safe Alternative to Zelle. Clark says: “It's a different kind of tool, but Apple Pay is a well-thought-out safe alternative.” It's no wonder that a user may be “freaked out” using Zelle. Inside the Zelle app, there is no way to request a refund.

Why can't I add my debit card to Apple Pay?

Contact your card issuer to see if they support Apple Pay. Update to the latest version of iOS, watchOS, macOS, or visionOS. Confirm that you have Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID, or a passcode set on your device. Make sure that you are in a supported country or region.

Is it free to use Apple wallet?

Does it cost extra to use Apple Pay? No. Apple does not charge any fees when you use Apple Pay — in stores, online, or in apps.

Is Apple Cash the same as Apple Pay?

The biggest difference between Apple Pay and Apple Cash is in funding sources. Apple Cash transactions employ the Apple Cash card's balance or funds from a connected banking account. In turn, the credit or debit cards linked to the Wallet app are used for Apple Pay transactions.