You can disable Apple Pay in Settings on any device, but the steps differ slightly depending on what you own
Apple Pay is turned on by default when you add a card to your device, but you can turn it off entirely or disable it for specific situations. On an iPhone or iPad, you remove cards from the Wallet app or turn off contactless payments in Settings. On a Mac, you delete cards from System Settings. You can also disable Apple Pay for online shopping, in-app purchases, or just for a single card while keeping others active.
The fastest route depends on what you want to do: if you want to stop using Apple Pay altogether, remove all your cards. If you want to keep the cards but prevent accidental payments, you can require Face ID or Touch ID for every transaction. If you only want to disable it for a specific store or situation, you can turn off the card temporarily without deleting it.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, open Wallet, tap and hold a card, then tap the three dots and choose Remove Card to delete it from Apple Pay.
- You can require Face ID or Touch ID for every Apple Pay transaction by going to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and turning on transaction authentication.
- On a Mac, open System Settings, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, select a card, and click the minus button to remove it.
- Disabling a single card does not affect other cards in your Wallet — each one can be managed separately.
- If you disable Apple Pay on your device, you can still use it on other devices where you have cards saved.
How to remove cards from Wallet on iPhone and iPad
Open the Wallet app on your home screen. Find the card you want to remove and tap and hold it until a menu appears. Tap the three dots (or the info icon, depending on your iOS version), then scroll down and tap Remove Card. Confirm by tapping Remove again when prompted.
If you want to remove all your cards at once, repeat this step for each card in your Wallet. Once you have removed every card, Apple Pay will no longer work on your device for contactless payments, online shopping, or in-app purchases. You can add cards back at any time by opening Wallet, tapping the plus icon, and following the setup steps.
How to disable Apple Pay in Settings on iPhone and iPad
If you want to keep your cards saved but prevent Apple Pay from working, you can turn it off in Settings. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then toggle off the switch next to Apple Pay. This disables contactless payments and in-app purchases, but you can still view your cards in the Wallet app.
You can also require authentication for every transaction instead of disabling Apple Pay entirely. In the same Wallet & Apple Pay settings, toggle on Require Authentication and choose Face ID, Touch ID, or Passcode. This way, someone cannot use your phone to make a payment without your permission, but Apple Pay remains available when you want to use it.
How to remove cards from Apple Pay on Mac
On a Mac running macOS Monterey or later, open System Settings and click Wallet & Apple Pay in the sidebar. You will see a list of cards saved to your account. Select the card you want to remove and click the minus button below the list. Confirm the removal when prompted.
On older Macs running macOS Big Sur or earlier, open System Preferences instead of System Settings, then follow the same steps. Removing a card from your Mac does not affect Apple Pay on your iPhone or iPad — each device manages its own cards separately.
How to disable Apple Pay for online shopping and in-app purchases
If you want to use Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores but disable it for online shopping, open Settings on iPhone or iPad, go to Wallet & Apple Pay, and toggle off Allow Payments. This prevents Apple Pay from appearing as an option when you check out on websites or in apps, but you can still tap your phone at a store to pay.
You can also disable Apple Pay for a single app. Go to Settings > Privacy > Apple Pay, find the app in the list, and toggle it off. The next time you try to pay in that app, Apple Pay will not be available as an option.
How to temporarily disable a single card without removing it
You do not have to delete a card to stop using it. On iPhone or iPad, open Wallet, tap and hold the card, tap the three dots, and look for a Suspend Card or Deactivate option (the exact wording depends on your card issuer and iOS version). This temporarily disables the card for Apple Pay without removing it from your Wallet.
If your card issuer does not offer a suspend option in the Wallet app, you can contact them directly through their own app or website to disable the card. Once you disable it, you can re-enable it the same way without having to add it to Wallet again.
What happens when you disable Apple Pay
When you remove all cards from Apple Pay, your device can no longer make contactless payments at stores, online, or in apps. If you have disabled Apple Pay in Settings but kept your cards, the cards remain in your Wallet app and you can view them, but you cannot use them to pay.
Disabling Apple Pay on one device does not affect other devices. If you have an iPhone and an iPad, you can disable Apple Pay on your iPhone while keeping it active on your iPad. Your Apple ID remains the same across all devices, but each device manages its own payment settings independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable Apple Pay for just one card?
Yes. Open Wallet, tap and hold the card, tap the three dots, and look for a suspend or deactivate option. Not all card issuers offer this feature, so if you do not see it, you can remove the card instead and add it back later.
Will disabling Apple Pay on my iPhone affect my iPad?
No. Each device has its own Apple Pay settings and card list. You can disable it on your iPhone and keep it active on your iPad, or vice versa. Your cards are tied to your Apple ID, but the payment settings are device-specific.
What if I want to use Apple Pay again after disabling it?
Open Wallet or Settings and add your card back. If you removed the card, you will need to enter the card details again. If you only suspended it, you can reactivate it from the same menu where you disabled it.
Does disabling Apple Pay delete my card information?
Disabling Apple Pay in Settings keeps your card information on the device but prevents it from being used. Removing a card from Wallet deletes it from that device, but your card issuer still has your account information. You can add the card back at any time.
Can I require a password for Apple Pay without disabling it?
Yes. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle on Require Authentication. Choose Face ID, Touch ID, or Passcode. This keeps Apple Pay active but requires you to authenticate before every payment, which prevents accidental or unauthorized use.