Adding your Mastercard gift card takes about two minutes

You can add a Mastercard gift card to Apple Wallet on your iPhone or iPad by opening Wallet, tapping the plus button, and scanning or manually entering your card details. Apple Wallet stores the card information securely on your device, and you can use it to pay in stores, online, or in apps without carrying the physical card. The process works the same way whether your Mastercard is a standard gift card or a reloadable prepaid card.

Before you start, make sure your device is running iOS 12.3 or later (or iPadOS 12.3 or later on a tablet). You'll also need the physical card in front of you, or you can use your camera to scan it instead of typing the numbers manually.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Wallet, tap the plus button, and choose to scan your card or enter details manually.
  • Apple Wallet securely stores your Mastercard gift card and works for in-store, online, and app payments.
  • You can add multiple gift cards to Wallet, and each one appears as a separate card you can swipe between.
  • If your card doesn't scan properly, you can type the card number, expiration date, and CVV by hand.
  • Some Mastercard gift cards may not work with Apple Wallet if they're not set up for contactless payments by the issuer.

Step-by-step: Adding the card to Wallet

Step 1: Open Wallet. Tap the Wallet app on your home screen. If you don't see it, swipe left through your app pages or search for "Wallet" in Spotlight.

Step 2: Tap the plus button. Look for the plus sign (+) in the top right corner of the screen. Tap it to start adding a new card.

Step 3: Choose your card type. A menu will appear asking what you want to add. Tap "Debit or Credit Card" — Mastercard gift cards are treated as debit cards in Wallet.

Step 4: Scan or enter manually. You'll see two options: "Use Camera" to scan your card, or "Enter Card Details" to type the information. If you choose to scan, hold your phone steady over the card and let the camera read the front. If you enter manually, type your card number, expiration date, and the three-digit CVV on the back.

Step 5: Confirm the card details. After scanning or typing, Wallet will show you what it found. Check that the card number, expiration date, and cardholder name are correct. Tap "Next" to continue.

Step 6: Agree to terms and verify. You may see a terms screen from Mastercard or your card issuer. Read it and tap "Agree" if you accept. Some cards require you to verify your identity by text message or email — follow those prompts if they appear.

Step 7: Add to Wallet. Once verification is complete, tap "Done" or "Add" (the exact wording varies). Your card is now in Wallet and ready to use.

Using your Mastercard gift card in Wallet

Once your card is added, you can pay with it in three ways. For in-store purchases, hold your iPhone or iPad near the contactless reader (the symbol usually looks like a sideways WiFi icon) and wait for the checkmark or vibration. For online shopping, select Apple Pay as your payment method and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. For apps, open the app, go to checkout, and tap the Apple Pay button.

To switch between multiple cards in Wallet, open the app and swipe left or right to find the card you want. You can also press and hold on a card to set it as your default, so it appears first when you pay.

Keep in mind that your Mastercard gift card balance is not shown in Wallet — you'll need to check your balance on the issuer's website or by calling the number on the back of the physical card. Some issuers have their own app where you can track the balance in real time.

What to do if your card won't scan

If the camera won't read your card, try cleaning the lens on your phone and making sure you're in good lighting. Hold the card flat and steady, with the numbers facing up and clearly visible. If scanning still doesn't work, switch to manual entry — tap "Enter Card Details" and type the information by hand.

Make sure you're entering the long card number on the front (usually 16 digits for Mastercard), the expiration date in MM/YY format, and the three-digit CVV from the back. Double-check each digit before tapping "Next" to avoid typos that could block the card from being added.

Why your Mastercard gift card might not work with Wallet

Not every Mastercard gift card works with Apple Wallet. The card issuer has to enable contactless payment support, and some older or regional gift cards don't have this feature turned on. If you try to add your card and Wallet rejects it, this is usually why.

You can still use the physical card to pay, or contact the issuer to ask if they can enable contactless payments on your specific card. Some issuers allow you to turn this on through their website or app. If the card truly cannot be added to Wallet, you'll need to carry the physical card or use it for online purchases by entering the details manually.

Removing or managing your gift card in Wallet

If you want to remove a card from Wallet, open the app, find the card, and tap it to open the details screen. Scroll down and tap "Remove This Card" at the bottom. The card is deleted from Wallet but the physical card still works — you can add it back anytime.

To see all your cards at once, open Wallet and look at the stack. You can rearrange them by pressing and holding a card, then dragging it to a new position. This changes the order they appear in when you're paying, but doesn't affect which card is your default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a Mastercard gift card if I don't have the physical card with me?

No, you need either the physical card to scan or the card details (number, expiration date, and CVV) to enter manually. If you have the card information written down or saved in a note, you can use that instead of the physical card itself.

Is it safe to store my gift card in Apple Wallet?

Yes. Apple Wallet encrypts your card information and stores it separately from your device's main storage. When you pay, your actual card number is never shared with the store — Apple uses a unique transaction code instead. Your card details are as secure in Wallet as they are on the physical card.

What happens if I lose my phone after adding my gift card?

Your gift card is tied to your Apple ID, not just your phone. If you lose your device, you can sign into Apple ID on a new phone and your cards will reappear in Wallet. You can also remove cards remotely through iCloud.com if needed. The physical card still works independently.

Can I use my Mastercard gift card in Apple Wallet internationally?

It depends on the card issuer and the country you're visiting. Most Mastercard gift cards work internationally where contactless payments are accepted, but some issuers restrict use outside the United States. Check with your card issuer before traveling, or use the physical card as a backup.

Why does Wallet say my card is not supported?

The most common reason is that your card issuer hasn't enabled contactless payment support for that particular card. Some older gift cards or cards from smaller issuers don't have this feature. Contact the issuer to ask if they can turn it on, or use the physical card instead.