The Complete Guide: How to Update Your Credit Card in Apple Wallet & Apple ID

Picture this common scenario: you’re buying coffee, you tap your iPhone to pay, and the payment gets rejected. Or you receive a message saying your iCloud storage is full because your monthly payment didn’t work. Usually, the problem is an old credit card. When your card expires or you get a new one, you need to update your payment details to keep everything working smoothly. This guide will show you exactly how to do it, step by step.

The Simple Answer
For most people, updating an expired card happens automatically. If your bank supports it, your new card details—like when it expires and the security code—will update in Apple Wallet by itself. You’ll just get a message telling you the card was updated. But what if this doesn’t happen? Or if you need to change your address, manage your Apple subscriptions, or fix a payment problem? This guide explains every situation.

We will explain not just how to update a card in the Wallet app, but also:
* The important difference between Apple Wallet and your Apple ID payment method.
* How to completely manage payments and billing details on your iPhone.
* What to do when you run into problems and can’t update payment methods.

Updating Cards in Apple Wallet

This is the main task for anyone using Apple Pay to buy things in stores or online. Let’s explain exactly how to manage the cards saved in your Wallet app.

What You Can Change

It’s important to know what you can and can’t edit directly. This is for security, not because the software can’t do it.

• Can Change: Billing Address. You can update the address connected to your card anytime.
• Cannot Change Directly: Card Number, When It Expires, Security Code.

For safety reasons, banks require complete verification when important card details change. Think of it like activating a new physical card; you can’t just write the new expiration date on your old card. You must go through a secure setup process. The same rule applies here, which is why you usually need to remove the old card and add the new one.

Updating an Expired Card

When your new card arrives, the automatic update feature might not work. Here’s how to do it manually.

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your expired card. You will often see a notification or an “Update” button right on the card’s screen if your bank supports this partial update feature.
3. If an update option appears, tap it and follow the instructions on screen. This usually means entering the new expiration date and the 3- or 4-digit security code.
4. If you don’t see an “Update” button, it means your bank requires a complete replacement. In this case, you must first remove the old card and then add the new one as if it were completely new. We explain how to do this in detail later in the guide. This is what happens most of the time.

Updating Billing Information

If you’ve moved or need to change your billing address for a card in Apple Wallet, the process is easy.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Tap the card you want to update.
3. Scroll down and tap on Billing Address.
4. You can either select “Enter New Billing Address” to type it in yourself or choose an existing address from your contacts.

On Mac with Touch ID

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Mac versions).
2. Click on Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Select the card you want to manage.
4. Click the Billing Address menu and choose a new address or add one.

Updating on Apple Watch

Managing cards on your Apple Watch is just as easy, but it’s all handled through your connected iPhone. We’ve found the easiest way to manage your Apple Watch cards is directly from your connected iPhone, since it has a bigger, easier-to-use screen.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Make sure you are on the “My Watch” tab, then scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Tap on the card you need to manage.
4. From here, the process is the same as on iPhone. You can tap “Billing Address” to update it. If you need to update when the card expires and there’s no update button, you will need to tap “Remove This Card” from this screen and add it again.

Wallet vs. Apple ID Payments

This is the biggest source of confusion for many users and an important concept to understand. Successfully learning how to update card in apple wallet and payment method in your Apple ID requires understanding that they are two separate systems that do different things. Getting this right prevents failed subscriptions and frustrating payment errors.

What’s The Difference?

Let’s use a comparison. Think of your Apple Wallet as your physical wallet, and your Apple ID payment method as the credit card you have saved at your favorite online store.

• Apple Pay (in your Wallet app) is what you use for active purchases. You tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at a payment terminal in a store, or you use it to check out quickly on a website or in an app. It’s your digital wallet for making real-time purchases.

• Your Apple ID Payment Method is the card saved with Apple itself. This is what Apple uses to charge you for its own services. This includes your iCloud+ storage plan, Apple Music or Apple TV+ subscriptions, App Store purchases, and subscriptions from other app developers.

Updating a card in your Wallet for Apple Pay does not automatically update the card used for your Apple ID subscriptions. You must do this separately.

Updating Your Apple ID Payment

When your Apple Music subscription fails, this is the section you need. These steps follow Apple’s recommended process for making sure your billing information for all Apple services is secure and current.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name, [Your Name], at the very top of the screen.
3. Tap on Payment & Shipping. You may need to sign in with your Apple ID password or use Face ID/Touch ID for verification.
4. On this screen, you have several options:
   • Add Payment Method: Tap this to add your new credit or debit card.
   • Tap an existing card: This will let you see more details, but you generally cannot edit the number or expiration date here.
   • Tap Edit in the top right corner: This lets you reorder your payment methods or remove old ones.
5. Important Tip: To avoid any interruption in your subscriptions, always add your new card first. Once it’s added, tap “Edit” and drag the new card to the top of the list to make it the main payment method. Only after the new card is set as main should you swipe to remove the old, expired card.

Quick Comparison

This table shows the key differences between the two systems.

Managing iPhone Payments

To become an expert, you need to know more than just how to update a card. Here’s a complete overview of how to manage payments and billing information on your iPhone, giving you full control over your digital wallet.

Adding a New Card

Whether you’re replacing an old card or adding a new one to your collection, the process is quick and secure.

1. Open the Wallet app.
2. Tap the plus (+) icon in the top-right corner.
3. Choose “Debit or Credit Card” and tap Continue.
4. You can either position your card in the frame to let your iPhone’s camera scan the details automatically or choose “Enter Card Details Manually” at the bottom.
5. After entering the information, you will need to verify the card with your bank. This is an important security step. It usually involves receiving a text message with a code, a push notification to your banking app, or a short automated phone call. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete verification.

Removing an Old Card

Once your new card is added and working, it’s good practice to remove the old or expired one to keep your Wallet organized and secure.

1. Open the Wallet app and tap on the old card you want to remove.
2. Tap the “More” button, which looks like three dots (…) in a circle, in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the details screen.
4. Tap “Remove This Card” and confirm your choice.

Pro Tip: Always add your new card and set it as the default before you remove the old one. This ensures a smooth transition and prevents any accidental payment failures if you use Apple Pay before you’ve had a chance to remove the old card.

Setting Your Default Card

If you have multiple cards in Apple Wallet, you can choose which one is used automatically for transactions. This is your default card.

1. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Scroll down to the section labeled “Transaction Defaults.”
3. Tap on Default Card.
4. Select the card you want to use for most of your purchases. This card will be shown first when you double-click the side button or Home button to activate Apple Pay.

Troubleshooting Update Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. If you run into a problem, don’t worry. Here’s how to troubleshoot can’t update payment method issues, with explanations for why they happen and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Verification Failed

You’ve entered your new card details, but you get an error message like “Verification Failed” or “Could Not Add Card.”

• Why it happens: This is a common issue with several possible causes. It could be a simple mistake in the security code or expiration date, a temporary block from your bank’s fraud prevention system, interference from a VPN, or a poor network connection. We’ve seen this error appear frequently when connected to public Wi-Fi. Always try on a trusted cellular or home Wi-Fi network first.

• How to Fix:

  • Slow down and carefully double-check every number you entered, especially the expiration date and the security code on the back.
  • If you are using a VPN, temporarily turn it off during the card-adding process.
  • Open your mobile banking app. Sometimes, a security alert is waiting for your approval there.
  • Restart your iPhone. This can clear temporary network or software problems.
  • If nothing else works, call the customer service number on the back of your physical card. Tell the representative you are trying to add the card to Apple Pay and ask if they see a block on their end. They can often approve the transaction manually.

Problem 2: Subscription Still Fails

You successfully added your new card to the Wallet app, but you still get an email from Apple saying your iCloud or Apple Music payment failed.

• Why it happens: This is the classic “Wallet vs. Apple ID” problem in action. You updated the card for Apple Pay (your digital wallet), but you forgot to update the card on file for your Apple ID, which handles all of your Apple subscriptions.

• How to Fix:

  • You must update the payment method linked directly to your Apple ID.
  • Go back to the section in this guide titled “How to Update Your Apple ID Payment” and follow those steps carefully.
  • Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping. Add your new card here and set it as the main method before removing the old one. This will solve the subscription issue.

Problem 3: Update Button Missing

You have an expired card in your Wallet, but you don’t see an “Update” button, and the app won’t let you edit the expiration date.

• Why it happens: This is not an error. It simply means that your specific bank or financial institution does not support Apple’s system for in-app card detail updates. For security and technical reasons, they require a full re-addition of the card. This is what happens for most users.

• How to Fix:

  • Know that this is normal behavior.
  • You must manually remove the old card and add the new one from scratch.
  • Follow the steps outlined in “The Right Way to Remove an Old or Expired Card” and then “Adding a Brand New Card to Apple Wallet.” This two-step process effectively replaces the card and ensures it is properly verified and activated.

Smart Card Management

The best way to handle payment issues is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Following a few simple habits will keep your digital wallet secure and working well, saving you from future problems.

The 30-Day Checklist

When you know a card is about to expire, use this checklist about a month beforehand.

• [ ] Set a Calendar Reminder: As soon as you get a notification from your bank that a new card is coming, or a month before your current card’s expiration date, set a calendar event. This reminds you to watch for the new card in the mail and to set aside a few minutes to update it across your services.
• [ ] Identify Connected Subscriptions: Take a quick look at your Apple ID subscriptions by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions. This reminds you of all the services that will be affected and reinforces the need to update your Apple ID payment method, not just your Apple Wallet.
• [ ] Tell Family Sharing Members: If you are the Family Sharing organizer, all purchases and subscriptions for the group are charged to your main payment method. Give your family members a heads-up that you’ll be updating the payment card to avoid any confusion if one of their downloads or subscriptions is briefly interrupted during the change.

Removing Old Cards Quickly

It can be tempting to leave old, expired cards in your digital wallet, but it’s a practice we advise against. Quickly removing old cards reduces clutter, making it faster to find the card you want to use. More importantly, it prevents the accidental selection of an invalid card at checkout, which can be embarrassing and time-consuming. Finally, it’s good security practice. It ensures that any card linked to a closed or compromised account is fully disconnected from your payment services.

A Note on Virtual Cards

For better digital security, some banks and credit card companies (like Capital One and Citi) offer virtual card numbers. These are unique, randomly created card numbers that are linked to your actual account but hide your physical card details from merchants. Their main benefit is security; if a merchant you used a virtual number with suffers a data breach, you only need to cancel that specific virtual number, not your entire physical card. You can add these virtual cards to Apple Wallet just like a physical card, providing an extra layer of protection for your online Apple Pay transactions.

Conclusion: Complete Control

Keeping your payment methods up to date in the Apple ecosystem might seem complex at first, but it’s built on a few simple, logical principles. By understanding the process, you can ensure your digital transactions are always smooth and secure.

Remember the key points: updating how to update expired credit card in apple wallet for Apple Pay is simple, but it often requires you to remove the old card and add the new one. Your Apple ID payment method is a separate system that must be updated independently for all your subscriptions and App Store purchases. Finally, knowing how to troubleshoot common verification errors and actively manage your cards puts you in control. By following this guide, you can confidently manage payments and billing information on your iPhone, ensuring your digital wallet works for you, not against you.