How to change your default Apple Pay card
Your default Apple Pay card is the one that charges automatically when you tap your phone or watch to pay. To change it, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the card you want to use as your default, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Make This My Default Card." On an Apple Watch, open the Wallet app, swipe left on your current default, tap the three dots, and select "Make Default." The change takes effect immediately.
You can set a different default card for your iPhone and your Apple Watch — they don't have to match. You can also set a default for contactless payments and a separate default for online purchases, though most people use the same card for both.
Key Takeaways
- Your default card charges automatically when you pay without selecting a specific card, so changing it prevents accidental charges to the wrong account.
- On iPhone or iPad, open Wallet, tap the card you want, scroll down, and tap "Make This My Default Card."
- On Apple Watch, open Wallet, swipe left on the current default card, tap the menu button, and select "Make Default."
- You can set different defaults for your phone and watch, and you can change your default card as often as you need to.
Changing your default on iPhone or iPad
Open the Wallet app and look at the cards displayed. The card shown first or with a checkmark is your current default. Tap the card you want to make your default — it will open to show the full card details and expiration date.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of that card's screen. You will see a button that says "Make This My Default Card." Tap it. The app will confirm the change, and that card is now your default for all contactless payments on that device.
If you have multiple cards in Wallet, you can repeat this process to change your default whenever you want. The previous default card stays in your Wallet — you are only changing which one charges first.
Changing your default on Apple Watch
Open the Wallet app on your watch. You will see your cards listed. Swipe left on the card that is currently your default — the one you want to replace.
Three dots (the menu button) will appear. Tap them. A menu will pop up with several options, including "Make Default." Tap that option. Your new default card is now active on your watch.
The Wallet app on your watch works independently from your iPhone's Wallet. You can have a different default card on each device, which is useful if you prefer to use one card on your phone and another on your watch.
Why you might want to change your default card
Your default card is the one that charges if you don't select a specific card before you tap to pay. If you have multiple cards — a debit card, a credit card, and a rewards card, for example — your default determines which one gets used by accident.
You might change your default if you want to use a rewards card for most purchases, or if you want to use a debit card to control spending. Some people set their default to a card with fraud protection they trust, or to a card they monitor closely.
Changing your default does not remove any cards from Wallet. All your cards stay available; you are just choosing which one charges when you do not specify one.
Selecting a specific card instead of using your default
You do not have to use your default card every time. When you tap to pay, your default card will appear on the screen for a moment. If you want to use a different card instead, tap the screen or press the side button (on iPhone) or the side button (on Apple Watch) to see your other cards, then tap the one you want.
This override works every time you pay. Your default stays the same — you are just choosing a different card for that single transaction. This is useful if you want your rewards card as your default but occasionally need to use a different card.
Troubleshooting if you cannot change your default
If the "Make This My Default Card" button does not appear, make sure you are scrolled all the way to the bottom of the card details screen. On some older iPhone models, you may need to scroll further than expected.
If the button still does not appear, the card may not support being a default. Most major credit and debit cards work, but some prepaid cards or store cards do not. Try removing and re-adding the card to Wallet, or contact your card issuer to confirm the card is compatible with Apple Pay.
On Apple Watch, if you cannot swipe left on a card, make sure you are swiping from right to left across the card itself, not across the screen. If the menu does not appear, try again with a slower, more deliberate swipe.
Setting defaults for different payment types
Apple Pay lets you set a default for contactless payments (tapping your phone or watch to pay in stores) separately from your default for online purchases. When you buy something on a website or in an app, you can choose which card to use, and Apple Pay will remember your preference for that merchant.
You cannot set a universal default for online purchases the way you can for contactless payments. Instead, the first time you pay with a card on a website, Apple Pay may ask if you want to use that card again for that site. If you do, it becomes the default for that specific merchant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a different default card on my iPhone and Apple Watch?
Yes. Your iPhone and Apple Watch have separate Wallet apps, so you can set different default cards on each device. This is useful if you prefer to use one card on your phone and a different card on your watch.
Does changing my default card remove the old one from Wallet?
No. Changing your default only changes which card charges when you do not select one. All your other cards stay in Wallet and remain available to use whenever you want.
What if I want to use a different card for one payment?
When you tap to pay, your default card appears on the screen. Tap the screen or press the side button to see your other cards, then tap the one you want to use for that transaction. Your default stays the same.
Why does my card not have a "Make This My Default Card" button?
Some prepaid cards and store cards do not support being a default card in Apple Pay. If the button does not appear after scrolling to the bottom, your card issuer may not support this feature. Contact them to confirm.
Can I set a default card for online purchases separately from contactless payments?
Apple Pay does not let you set a universal default for online purchases. Instead, you choose a card each time you buy online, and Apple Pay may remember your choice for that specific website or app.