How to Set Up Apple Pay on Apple Devices

Setting up Apple Pay on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch is a convenient and secure way to make quick contactless payments without carrying physical cards or cash.

Apple Pay allows you to make contactless transactions by adding your credit, debit, or prepaid cards to your Apple devices.

On this page, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up Apple Pay (on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac) and getting started with your digital wallet.

To begin with, you’ll need to have a compatible Apple device and a supported credit, debit, or prepaid card from a participating bank or institution.

Once you’ve ensured that your device and card meet these requirements, the setup process is quite simple. The Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Macintosh computer is where you’ll go to add your eligible cards.

We’ll guide you through the steps to set up Apple Pay on your Apple device, including adding and verifying your cards, so you can start enjoying the convenience of tap-and-go payments.

During this process, keep in mind that your chosen bank or card issuer may have additional verification steps!

To set up Apple Pay, you only need to add a debit, credit, or prepaid card to the Wallet app on your compatible Apple device.

Setting Up Apple Pay on iPhone

How to Add Card to Apple Pay on iPhone

To set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, first, make sure you have a compatible iPhone with the iOS version needed for Apple Pay. You will also need a supported debit or credit card from a participating bank or card issuer.

  1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the + symbol in the upper right corner.
  3. Under Available Cards, tap on “Debit or Credit Card”.
  4. Tap on the “Continue” button.
  5. You have two options to add a new card:
    • Scan your card by positioning it within the frame shown on the screen.
    • Enter your card details manually by tapping “Enter Card Details Manually” and provide the necessary information like your card number, your name, expiration date, and the security code.

Your card issuer or bank might require more verification steps for security reasons. Follow the instructions provided to confirm your card, which may include providing additional personal information or installing a specific app.

Once your card is approved, it will be added to your Wallet app, and you’ll be able to use Apple Pay for contactless payments.

Setting Up Apple Pay on Apple Watch

How to Add Card to Apple Pay on Apple Watch

To set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, you will need to have a paired iPhone.

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. In the app, navigate to the “My Watch” tab, and scroll down until you find the “Wallet & Apple Pay” option.
  3. Tap on “Wallet & Apple Pay” to proceed.
  4. Here, you will see options to add cards to your Apple Watch. If you have previously set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, you might see some of your cards already listed here.
  5. To add any of these cards to your Apple Watch, simply tap the “Add” button next to the card and enter your passcode on your Apple Watch to continue.
  6. To verify your card’s information, you need to enter the card’s CVV when prompted.
  7. Tap on “Next”. Read the “Terms and Conditions” and agree.

NB: To add a card that is already added to your iPhone to your Apple Watch, you need to first set up a Passcode on your Apple Watch.

If you need to add a new card, follow these steps:

  1. Tap “Add Card” and tap on the “Continue” button.
  2. Choose between “Apple Account”, “Debit or Credit Card”, or “Transit Card”
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to provide card details. You can scan the card or enter the card details manually.
  4. Verify your information with the bank or card issuer

Once you have successfully added the necessary cards to your Apple Watch, they can be used for contactless payments using Apple Pay.

To manage your card settings or choose a default card, navigate to the Wallet & Apple Pay menu in the Watch app. Tap on “Default Card” and select the card you want to set as default for your contactless payments.

With your Apple Pay now set up on your Apple Watch, you are ready to make easy and secure contactless payments using your device.

Setting Up Apple Pay on Mac or iPad

How to Add Card to Apple Pay on iPad or Mac

Adding a Card on iPad

To set up Apple Pay on your iPad, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure your iPad is compatible with Apple Pay. Compatible models include iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and later, and iPad mini 3 and later.
  2. Go to “Settings” on your iPad.
  3. Scroll down and tap on “Wallet & Apple Pay”.
  4. Tap “Add Card” and tap on the “Continue” button.
  5. If you have cards already added to your iPhone, select them to add them to your iPad. If you want to add a different card, choose “Add a Different Card”, and enter card details (either manually or by scanning the card).
  6. Tap on the “Continue” button. Agree to the “Terms and Conditions”.
  7. Verify your information with your bank or card issuer if needed. They might ask you to provide additional information.

Adding a Card on Mac

To set up Apple Pay on your Mac, check if your Mac has Touch ID. If it does, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
  2. Choose “System Preferences”.
  3. Scroll down if needed and click on “Wallet & Apple Pay”.
  4. Click “Add Card” or “+” to add a new card.
  5. Sign in with your Apple ID and password if you’re not already signed in.
  6. Enter the card’s information. This can be done by either positioning your card in front of your Mac’s camera to automatically read its number or manually entering your card details.

Once your cards are added to the Wallet app, you can use Apple Pay for transactions in various apps, as well as in restaurants and stores.

With Apple Pay set up on your iPad or Mac, you can enjoy a secure and convenient way to make online payments without needing to carry physical cards.

FAQs   

Is Apple Pay safe?

Apple Pay is a safer and more secure way to complete online transactions as it uses Face ID, Touch ID, or a Passcode for authentication. Furthermore, your card’s security code is never stored on your device or Apple’s servers, so your transactions remain as safe as possible.
To enable Touch ID or Face ID for more security during transactions, navigate to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay on your iPhone. Turn on the desired authentication method, either Touch ID or Face ID. This feature improves the safety of your contactless payments, as it requires identity confirmation before processing any transaction.

Is Apple Pay free?

Yes, Apple Pay is free for you to use. There are no additional fees for using Apple Pay to make purchases in stores, within apps, or on the web. However, any standard fees or charges associated with your eligible credit or debit cards will still apply.

Is Apple Pay the same as Apple Wallet?

No, Apple Pay and Apple Wallet are not the same. Apple Wallet (or Wallet app) is an application on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch that stores your credit, debit, and prepaid cards, as well as other items like boarding passes and event tickets. Apple Pay is the actual payment service that allows you to make transactions using the cards stored in your Wallet app.

Do you need a bank account to set up Apple Pay?

Yes, you need a bank account tied to an eligible credit or debit card to set up Apple Pay. When setting up Apple Pay on your device, you need to add an eligible card to your Wallet app.
Make sure your bank supports Apple Pay, as not all banks and card issuers are supported.

Can I use Apple Pay on Android?

No, Apple Pay is exclusive to Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and some Mac models. It is not available on Android devices or other non-Apple devices.

Is Apple Pay different from Apple Cash?

Yes, Apple Cash is different from Apple Pay, even though both are related to the Wallet app. Apple Cash lets you send and receive money via iMessage, while Apple Pay is a contactless payment method that works with a variety of physical cards.

Conclusion

Setting up Apple Pay on your iPhone is a straightforward process. Once your card is added, you’re ready to start using Apple Pay for quick and secure transactions.

Remember to always have your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch handy, as you’ll need it to complete payments at participating retailers.

By using Apple Pay, you’re taking advantage of a convenient and secure payment option that simplifies your digital wallet experience.

NB: Not all stores accept Apple Pay yet, so it’s a great idea to carry a backup payment method like cash or credit/debit card.