Whether you’re shopping at your favorite online store or buying items at a brick-and-mortar merchant like Target or McDonald’s, paying with your phone is often easier and quicker than digging around for a credit card or the right amount of cash. That’s why mobile payment apps have increasingly caught on with consumers.
Apple Pay is the default payment method for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac owners. By connecting a credit or debit card through the app, your iPhone or Apple Watch can be used to pay for items at physical stores and at online retailers. You can also use your iPad or Mac to buy items at supported websites. Authenticate the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN, and the funds are taken from your account.
To use Apple Pay, you will need a compatible device(Opens in a new window) and operating system version. For instance, you only need iOS 8.1 to use the app, but if you also want Apple Cash to send and receive money from people, you need iOS 15.5 or higher. Here’s how to set up Apple Pay on all your devices.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad
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On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the plus (+) sign in the upper-right corner, then choose Debit or Credit Card and tap Continue. You can now add your credit or debit card one of two ways. You can have your phone scan it with the camera in order to capture your name, number, and expiration date.
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Alternatively, tap Enter Card Details Manually to type the number and expiration date. With either method, you must also manually enter the security code on the back of the card. Tap Next, then type the expiration date and agree to the terms and conditions.
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You must then validate your card through email, text, or a phone call to the bank. Once the code is entered, your card will be approved and added to the Wallet app for later use via Apple Pay.
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If you want to set up Apple Pay on your iPad to purchase items online (or in physical stores), you will find that there is no Wallet app. Instead, you must add a card under Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap Add Card.
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Select Debit or Credit Card to add a new card, then enter the card information, like you would do on an iPhone. Tap Previous Cards to add a payment option that you previously added to your iPhone. You will see a list of the cards you added to your iPhone.
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Uncheck any that you don’t want to add to the iPad, then tap Continue. You will then need to verify the card through text, email, or a phone call to the card issuer.
Add an Apple Pay Card
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Apple Card, the company’s own credit card, can also be added to Apple Pay and shared with your Family Sharing group. From the Wallet app, tap the plus (+) button, then choose Apply for Apple Card and tap Continue. Confirm your name and phone number, then enter your date of birth and confirm your address.
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You must then verify your identity by typing the last four digits of your Social Security number. Tap Next, then enter your yearly income. Tap Next, review the terms and conditions for the Apple Card, and tap Agree.
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If you’re approved, you should see a screen with your credit limit, APR, and fees. To get the card, tap Accept Apple Card. If you want to set Apple Card as your default payment option for your Wallet, Apple Watch, Safari, Apple ID, and Apple Pay tap Set as Preferred Card.
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You are also given the option to receive the physical titanium Apple Card to use at merchants that don’t accept Apple Pay. Tap Continue to get the card, then review your address and tap Confirm.
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You should then see the activity screen for your Apple Card, which will be populated with a balance and activity after you start using the card.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on Your Apple Watch
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You can add a card for Apple Pay to an Apple Watch. Toward the end of the setup process when you add a card to your iPhone, you’re asked if you’d like to add it to your Apple Watch. To do so, tap Add Now and enter the security code. The card is then made available from your watch.
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However, if you did not do this during the initial setup, you can manually add a card from the Watch app on your iPhone. Open Wallet & Apple Pay and tap Add Card to add a new card. For a card you already added on your iPhone, scroll to the section called Other Cards On Your Phone and click Add next to any card you wish to use from your watch.
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To view the cards on your Apple Watch, open the Wallet app on the watch. Swipe down to view the cards that have been added. You can also add a card from the watch itself if you swipe to the bottom of the screen and tap Add Card. You can then add a new card or one from your iPhone.
How to Set Up Apple Pay on Your Mac
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To access your cards from a Mac, go to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay and click the Add Card button. The next screen shows you the cards that have already been added to Apple Pay.
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Uncheck any you don’t want to add and click Next. You must then enter the security code for any card to be made available on your Mac. You can add a new card if you click Add a Different Credit or Debit Card.
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The card can be entered by scanning it or entering the information manually. Accept the terms and conditions, then verify the card through email, text, or a phone call to the issuer.
Customize Apple Pay Settings
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After adding multiple cards to Apple Pay, there are several settings that can be tweaked to improve your experience with the app. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay or head to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay from a Mac.
From your iPhone, you can change the following:
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Enable or disable the the need to double-click the Side button to view your cards.
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Enable or disable the ability to use Apple Pay in Safari AutoFill on compatible websites.
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Allow your phone to confirm payments on a nearby Mac.
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Add orders directly to the Wallet app.
How to Change Your Default Card
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You can change your default card on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This is the card that automatically appears when you submit payment for an item. To do this, open to the Wallet & Apple Pay settings screen and tap Default Card under the Transaction Defaults section. Check the card you wish to use.
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On a Mac, click the Default Card drop-down menu at the bottom of the window and change it to your preferred card.
How to Use Apple Pay
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Now that Apple Pay is set up on all your devices, it’s time to use the app. If you want to pay for an item at a physical retailer using your iPhone (or iPad), place your device near the terminal or payment reader. Once it’s in the right spot, Apple Pay should appear with your default card visible.
You can switch to a different card by swiping up on your list of cards. Tap the one you want to use. When you’re ready to make the payment, double-tap and then click the Side button on your device and verify the purchase via Face ID, Touch ID, or a PIN.
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To pay for an item online with your iPhone or iPad, initiate the purchase, then double-tap the side button when prompted. You must then verify the payment with Face ID, Touch ID, or your PIN.
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To pay for an item in a physical store or a website with your Apple Watch, double-tap the Side button on the watch to display your debit and credit cards. Tap the card you wish to use, then double-tap the Side button to purchase the item.
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To pay for an item online with your Mac, browse to a website or app that accepts Apple Pay. Click the price or purchase button for the item you wish to buy, then authenticate the transaction using Touch ID. The item is then purchased.
