Where to find your payment settings on MyHeritage
To change your payment method on MyHeritage, log into your account and go to your account settings. Click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. From there, look for a section labeled "Billing," "Payment Method," or "Subscription" — the exact name varies depending on whether you're on desktop or mobile.
Once you're in the billing section, you'll see your current payment method displayed. MyHeritage shows the last four digits of your card, the card type (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), and the expiration date. Next to this information, you should see an option to edit or change your payment method. Click that button to proceed.
Key Takeaways
- Access your payment settings by clicking your profile icon, selecting Account Settings, and navigating to the Billing section.
- You can add a new payment method or update an existing one without canceling your subscription.
- MyHeritage accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal as payment options.
- Changes to your payment method take effect on your next billing date, not immediately.
- If your payment fails, MyHeritage will attempt to charge your card again before suspending your account.
Adding a new credit or debit card
When you click to change your payment method, MyHeritage opens a form where you can enter new card details. You'll need to provide your full name as it appears on the card, the 16-digit card number, the expiration date (month and year), and the three-digit security code on the back. Fill in all fields completely before proceeding.
After entering your card information, you'll also need to confirm your billing address. Make sure the address matches what your bank has on file — mismatches can cause payment failures later. Once you've entered everything, click the button to save your new payment method. MyHeritage will verify the card by processing a small temporary charge (usually under $1) that will be reversed within a few days.
Using PayPal instead of a card
MyHeritage also accepts PayPal as a payment method. If you prefer not to enter your card details directly on the site, you can choose PayPal during the payment method update. Click the PayPal option, and you'll be redirected to PayPal's login page to authorize MyHeritage to charge your PayPal account.
Once you authorize the connection, your PayPal account becomes your primary payment method for MyHeritage. You can switch back to a card at any time using the same billing settings page. PayPal charges process on the same schedule as card payments — on your subscription renewal date.
What happens when you update your payment method
Changing your payment method does not interrupt your subscription or restart your billing cycle. If your current subscription renews on the 15th of each month, it will still renew on the 15th — your new payment method will simply be charged on that date instead of your old one. You don't need to cancel and restart anything.
MyHeritage will send you a confirmation email after you update your payment method. Keep this email for your records. If you don't receive a confirmation within a few minutes, check your spam folder or log back into your account to verify the change went through.
Fixing failed payments and declined cards
If MyHeritage attempts to charge your payment method and the charge fails — because the card is expired, the account is closed, or there are insufficient funds — you'll receive an email notification. The email will explain why the charge failed and give you a deadline to update your payment method, usually 7 to 10 days.
Log into your account and update your payment method as described above. MyHeritage will attempt to process the charge again, usually within 24 hours. If the second attempt succeeds, your subscription continues without interruption. If it fails a second time, your account may be suspended until you provide a working payment method.
Removing a payment method or canceling your subscription
You cannot delete your payment method while your subscription is active — MyHeritage needs a way to charge you on your renewal date. However, you can cancel your subscription from the same Account Settings page. Look for a "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Subscription" button in the Billing section.
When you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing period. After that date, your account reverts to the free version and no further charges will be made. If you want to reactivate a paid subscription later, you'll need to provide a payment method again at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my payment method affect my DNA results or family tree?
No. Your DNA results, family tree, and all other account data remain exactly the same. Changing your payment method only affects how MyHeritage charges you for your subscription — it doesn't touch any of your genealogy information or test results.
Can I use the same payment method for multiple MyHeritage accounts?
Yes. One card or PayPal account can be linked to multiple MyHeritage accounts if you manage more than one. Each account will be billed separately on its own renewal date. Log into each account individually to set up or update the payment method for that specific account.
How long does it take for a new payment method to start working?
Your new payment method becomes active immediately after you save it. However, it won't actually be charged until your next subscription renewal date. If your renewal is coming up soon, you may see the charge within hours or days. If your renewal is weeks away, the new method will sit on file until then.
What if I see a charge from MyHeritage but I don't remember authorizing it?
Check your Account Settings to confirm whether you have an active subscription. If you do, the charge is your regular renewal fee. If you don't have an active subscription, contact MyHeritage support with your receipt or bank statement — they can investigate unauthorized charges and process refunds if needed.
Can I update my payment method on the MyHeritage mobile app?
Yes. Open the app, tap your profile icon, go to Account Settings, and navigate to Billing. The process is the same as on desktop, though the layout may look slightly different. If you have trouble finding the billing section on mobile, try accessing your account through a web browser instead.