How to add your Discover card to Apple Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign in the top right corner, and select "Credit or Debit Card". You can photograph your card or enter the details manually. Apple will verify your card with Discover, usually within minutes. Once verified, your card appears in Wallet and you can use it to pay at stores, online, and in apps.
The process works the same whether you have an iPhone 6s or newer, or an iPad Air 2 or newer. You need iOS 15.1 or later, or iPadOS 15.1 or later. If your device is older or runs an earlier operating system, you cannot add cards to Wallet.
Key Takeaways
- You add your Discover card through the Wallet app, not through your bank's app or the Discover website.
- Apple verifies your card with Discover before it becomes active in Wallet, a process that usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
- Your card must be a physical Discover card in your name; you cannot add a virtual card number or a card issued to someone else.
- Once added, you can pay in stores by holding your phone near the contactless reader, or online by selecting Wallet as your payment method.
What information you need before you start
Have your physical Discover card in front of you. You will need the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back. If you photograph the card instead of typing the details, the Wallet app will read this information automatically.
You also need the billing zip code associated with your Discover account. Apple asks for this during verification to confirm the card belongs to you. If the zip code you enter does not match Discover's records, the verification will fail and you will need to try again.
Step-by-step: adding the card
Step 1: Open Wallet and start adding a card. Tap the Wallet app icon on your home screen. In the top right corner, tap the plus sign (+). A menu appears with options including "Credit or Debit Card". Tap that option.
Step 2: Enter or photograph your card details. You see two choices: "Use Camera" or "Enter Card Details Manually". If you choose "Use Camera", hold your phone over your Discover card so the camera can read the number and expiration date. The app will fill in these fields automatically. If you choose to enter details manually, type the card number, expiration date, and security code into the fields that appear.
Step 3: Confirm your billing information. After you enter or photograph the card details, Apple asks for your name, billing address, and billing zip code. The name must match the name on your Discover card. The zip code must match the zip code Discover has on file for your account. If either does not match, verification will fail.
Step 4: Wait for verification. Tap "Next" or "Add" (the button label varies by iOS version). Apple sends your information to Discover to verify that the card is real and belongs to you. This usually takes a few minutes. You may see a message saying "Verifying" or "Pending". Once Discover confirms the card, it moves to your Wallet and shows a checkmark. You can then use it to pay.
What happens if verification fails
If Apple cannot verify your card, you see an error message. The most common reasons are a mismatch between the zip code you entered and the zip code on your Discover account, or a typo in the card number or expiration date. Check all three pieces of information and try again.
If you keep getting an error after three attempts, contact Discover directly. Your card may have a security flag, or there may be a problem with your account that only Discover can resolve. You can reach Discover through the phone number on the back of your card or through their website.
Using your Discover card in Wallet to pay
Once your card is verified and appears in Wallet, you can use it to pay at any store that accepts contactless payments. Hold the top of your iPhone or iPad near the contactless reader (usually marked with a wave symbol) until you see "Done" and a checkmark on your screen. You do not need to open the Wallet app first; just hold your phone near the reader.
For online purchases, select Wallet as your payment method when you check out. Your browser or the store's app will prompt you to confirm the payment using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. Discover card payments through Wallet work the same way as payments with any other card.
Removing or replacing your Discover card in Wallet
To remove your card from Wallet, open the app, tap and hold your Discover card, and select "Remove Card". The card stays on your Discover account; it only leaves Wallet. You can add it back later by following the same steps above.
To replace your card — for example, if you received a new card with a different number — add the new card to Wallet using the same process. You can keep both the old and new card in Wallet until you are ready to delete the old one. Discover will deactivate the old card number on their end, so payments will not go through even if the old card remains in Wallet.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Wallet does not open or crashes when you try to add a card, restart your iPhone or iPad. Press and hold the power button and one volume button, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. Try adding your card again.
If your device does not have a Wallet app, your device may be too old or running an older operating system. Wallet requires iOS 15.1 or later on iPhone, or iPadOS 15.1 or later on iPad. Go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update to check your current version and install any available updates.
If you added your card but it disappeared from Wallet, Discover may have deactivated it. This can happen if you reported the card lost or stolen, or if Discover detected unusual activity. Contact Discover to confirm the card is still active on your account. If it is, you can add it to Wallet again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a virtual Discover card number to Apple Wallet?
No. Wallet only accepts physical card numbers. If Discover issued you a virtual card number for online shopping, you cannot add it to Wallet. You can use the virtual number to shop online by entering it manually at checkout, but not through Wallet.
What if I have multiple Discover cards?
You can add more than one Discover card to Wallet. Follow the same steps for each card. In Wallet, you can swipe left or right to switch between cards before you pay. You can also set one card as your default so it appears first.
Do I need a PIN to pay with my Discover card in Wallet?
No. You confirm payment using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. You do not enter a PIN at the store or online. Contactless payments through Wallet do not require a signature or PIN.
Will adding my card to Wallet affect my Discover account or credit score?
No. Adding your card to Wallet is just a way to store and use your existing card. It does not change your account, create a new account, or affect your credit score. Discover still reports all purchases to the credit bureaus the same way.
What if my iPhone is lost or stolen after I add my Discover card?
You can remove your card from Wallet remotely using Find My iPhone. Go to iCloud.com, select Find My, choose your device, and select "Erase iPhone". This removes all data from your phone, including your Discover card from Wallet. You can also contact Discover directly to report the card lost or stolen, and they will deactivate the card number.