How to delete Apple Pay

You can remove Apple Pay from your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch in a few steps. The process differs slightly depending on whether you want to remove a single card, all cards, or disable Apple Pay entirely on a device.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Wallet app, tap and hold the card you want to remove, then tap the trash icon or swipe left and select delete. To turn off Apple Pay completely, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle it off. On an Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, select the card, and tap Remove Card.

Removing a card from Apple Pay does not delete it from your bank or card issuer — it only removes it from this device. If you remove Apple Pay from your iPhone but keep it on your Apple Watch, you can still use the watch to pay. Deleting the card from Wallet does not affect your actual bank account or credit card.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, open Wallet, tap and hold the card, then tap the trash icon to remove it.
  • To disable Apple Pay entirely on a device, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and turn it off.
  • Removing a card from Apple Pay does not close the card or affect your bank account.
  • If you have multiple devices, you must remove the card from each one separately — removing it from your iPhone does not remove it from your Apple Watch.
  • You can re-add a card to Apple Pay at any time by opening Wallet and tapping the plus icon.

Removing a single card from iPhone or iPad

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Find the card you want to remove and tap and hold it until a menu appears. Tap the trash icon or the option to delete the card. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

If you do not see a trash icon, try swiping left on the card. A red delete button should appear on the right side. Tap it and confirm. After deletion, the card no longer appears in your Wallet, but you can add it back later using the same card details.

Removing Apple Pay from an Apple Watch

Apple Watch stores its own copy of your payment cards, so removing a card from your iPhone does not remove it from your watch. To delete a card from your watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, not on the watch itself.

In the Watch app, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, select the card you want to remove, and tap Remove Card. Confirm the removal. The card will no longer be available for payments on your watch, though it remains on your iPhone if you have not deleted it there as well.

Turning off Apple Pay completely

If you want to disable Apple Pay on a device rather than remove individual cards, go to Settings, scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then toggle the switch to off. This disables Apple Pay on that device but does not delete your cards — they remain stored and can be re-enabled later.

Turning off Apple Pay prevents anyone with access to your device from using it to make payments. Your cards are still linked to your Apple ID and can be restored if you turn Apple Pay back on.

What happens to your card information

Removing a card from Apple Pay removes it only from that device. Your actual credit card or debit card continues to work normally. Your bank has no record that you deleted it from Apple Pay — the deletion is local to your device only.

If you have the same card on multiple devices — iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — you must remove it from each device separately. Deleting it from your iPhone does not affect your iPad or watch.

Re-adding a card you deleted

You can add a card back to Apple Pay at any time. Open Wallet, tap the plus icon in the top right corner, and follow the prompts to add a card. You can use the same card number you deleted before, or add a different card.

If you deleted a card and want to add it back quickly, you may be able to use the same card details without re-entering everything — your bank may have it on file. If you no longer have the card, you will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV to add it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting Apple Pay close my credit card?

No. Deleting Apple Pay only removes the card from your device. Your credit card account remains open and active with your bank. You can still use the physical card or add it back to Apple Pay later.

If I remove Apple Pay from my iPhone, does it get removed from my iPad too?

No. Each device stores its own copy of your cards. You must remove the card from each device separately. Removing it from your iPhone does not affect your iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac.

Can I turn Apple Pay back on after I turn it off?

Yes. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle it back on. Your cards will still be there. If you deleted individual cards before turning it off, those cards will not reappear — you would need to add them again.

What if I lost my iPhone and want to remove Apple Pay from it?

Use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com or another Apple device to remotely erase your iPhone. This removes all data, including Apple Pay cards. You can also contact your bank to report the card as lost and request a replacement.

Does removing a card from Apple Pay stop it from being charged?

Removing a card from Apple Pay stops it from being used for contactless payments on that device. It does not affect recurring subscriptions or online purchases you set up with that card — those are managed by your bank and the merchant, not by Apple Pay.