You can delete a credit card from PayPal in your account settings in about two minutes
Removing a credit card from PayPal is straightforward: log into your account, go to your wallet or payment methods, find the card you want to remove, and select the delete option. PayPal will ask you to confirm. The card is then disconnected from your account and cannot be used for future payments.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using PayPal on a computer or phone, and whether the card is your primary payment method. If the card you want to delete is set as your default, PayPal will prompt you to choose a replacement before completing the deletion.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete a credit card from PayPal through your account settings on either a computer or mobile app in under five minutes.
- If the card is your primary payment method, you must select a different card or payment source before PayPal will let you delete it.
- Deleting a card from PayPal does not affect your credit score or credit history — it only removes the card from that one account.
- You can add the same card back to PayPal later if you change your mind, though you may need to verify it again.
How to delete a credit card on a computer
Open PayPal in your web browser and log in with your email and password. Click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, then select "Wallet" from the menu on the left side.
In the Wallet section, you'll see all your linked payment methods — credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. Find the card you want to remove and hover over it. A menu will appear with options including "Edit" and "Remove." Click "Remove."
PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. If this card is your primary payment method (the one PayPal uses by default), you'll see a message asking you to choose a different card or payment source first. Select a replacement from the list, then confirm the removal of the original card.
How to delete a credit card on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Wallet" to see your payment methods.
Find the card you want to delete and tap it to open its details. Look for a menu icon (three dots) or a "Remove" button — the exact location varies slightly between iPhone and Android versions. Tap it and select "Remove" or "Delete."
Confirm the deletion when prompted. If the card is set as your default payment method, the app will ask you to choose a replacement before completing the removal.
What happens if the card is your primary payment method
PayPal requires you to have at least one active payment method on file. If you try to delete your only card or your primary card, PayPal will not let you complete the deletion until you've selected a different payment source.
You can choose another credit card, a debit card, or a linked bank account as your replacement. Once you've selected the new primary method, you can then delete the original card. The new method will be used automatically for any future PayPal payments unless you change it again.
Deleting a card does not affect your credit
Removing a credit card from PayPal has no impact on your credit score or credit report. PayPal is not a lender — it's a payment platform. Deleting the card from PayPal straightforward disconnects it from that account; it does not close the card itself or change anything with your bank or credit card issuer.
Your credit card remains open and active with your bank. You can still use it anywhere else, and your credit history with that card continues unchanged. The only thing that changes is that PayPal can no longer charge that particular card.
Can you add the card back later
Yes. If you delete a card and later decide you want to use it with PayPal again, you can add it back by going to your Wallet and selecting "Add a Card" or "Link a New Card." You'll need to enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV again.
PayPal may ask you to verify the card again, depending on how long it's been since you removed it and your account history. Verification usually involves confirming a small charge or code sent to your email. Once verified, the card works the same way it did before.
What to do if you can't find the delete option
If you're looking at a card in your Wallet but don't see a "Remove" or "Delete" option, the card may be locked to your account for a specific reason. Some cards cannot be deleted if they're tied to an active PayPal Credit account or if there's a pending transaction involving that card.
Wait for any pending transactions to complete, then try again. If the option still doesn't appear, contact PayPal Support through the Help Center. You can reach them by logging into your account, clicking the Help icon, and selecting "Contact Us." Explain that you want to remove a specific card and ask why the delete option isn't available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a card from PayPal close the credit card itself?
No. Deleting a card from PayPal only removes it from your PayPal account. The credit card itself remains open with your bank and can still be used anywhere else. To close the card, you would need to contact your bank or credit card issuer directly.
What if I delete a card and then need to look up an old PayPal transaction that used it?
You can still view your transaction history even after deleting the card. Log into PayPal, go to your Activity or Transaction History, and search for the transaction by date or amount. The transaction record will show which card was used, even if that card is no longer linked to your account.
Can I delete a card if I have an outstanding balance or pending refund?
If there's a pending refund to that card, PayPal may prevent you from deleting it until the refund completes. Wait for the refund to process, then try deleting the card again. If you have a PayPal Credit balance, you'll need to pay that off or switch the payment method for that account before removing the card.
Will PayPal let me delete my last payment method?
No. PayPal requires at least one active payment method on your account at all times. If you try to delete your only card or payment source, PayPal will show an error message and ask you to add a replacement first. You can add a bank account, debit card, or another credit card as a backup.