Update your card before it stops working

When your credit card expires, Apple Wallet will stop letting you use it for payments — but you do not have to delete it and start over. Apple sends you a notification when your card is about to expire, and you can update the expiration date and security code directly in the Wallet app without re-entering your full card number or going through verification again.

The update takes about two minutes on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Your bank may also push an updated card to Wallet automatically, in which case you will see a prompt to accept it. Either way, the process is straightforward and keeps your payment method active without interruption.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple notifies you before your card expires, and you can update it directly in Wallet without re-entering your full card number.
  • Some banks automatically send updated cards to Wallet, which you accept with a tap rather than entering details manually.
  • You update the expiration date and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back) in the card details screen.
  • If your bank does not push an update, you can manually edit your card information in Wallet settings at any time.
  • Updating your card in Wallet does not change anything at your bank — it only refreshes the information Wallet uses for payments.

How to manually update your card details in Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the card that is expiring. Tap the three dots (or the info icon, depending on your device) in the top right corner, then tap Edit. You will see fields for the expiration date and CVV. Tap each field and enter the new information from your physical card, then tap Done.

On a Mac, open Wallet in System Settings, select your card, and click the edit icon. The same fields appear — update the expiration date and CVV, then click Done. Your card is now refreshed in Wallet and ready to use for payments.

If you do not see an Edit option, your bank may not allow manual updates through Wallet. In that case, you will need to delete the old card and add the new one by entering your full card number again. This triggers a new verification process with your bank, which usually takes a few minutes.

When your bank sends an updated card automatically

Many banks — including Chase, Bank of America, American Express, and others — push updated card information to Wallet automatically when your card is about to expire. You will see a notification on your device asking you to accept the update. Tap the notification or open Wallet and look for a prompt at the top of your card.

Tap Update Card or Accept, and your card details refresh when ready. You do not need to enter anything — the bank has already sent the new expiration date and security code to Apple. This is the fastest route and requires no action beyond tapping yes.

If you do not see a notification after a few days, your bank may not support automatic updates. Check your bank's app or website to confirm your card is still active, then manually update Wallet using the steps above.

What happens if you do not update before the card expires

If your card expires and you have not updated Wallet, your card will stop working for Apple Pay, in-app purchases, and other Wallet payments. You will see an error message when you try to pay, and the transaction will not go through. Your physical card stops working at the same time, so this is expected — but it means you cannot use Wallet until you update the information.

The expired card stays in your Wallet but becomes inactive. You can update it at any time after expiration using the same Edit process. There is no penalty for updating late, and your payment history and rewards are not affected.

Updating Wallet on different devices

If you use Wallet on multiple devices — iPhone, iPad, and Mac — you only need to update the card once. Apple syncs your Wallet across all your devices using iCloud, so the updated expiration date and CVV appear everywhere automatically. Make sure you are signed into the same Apple ID on all devices for this to work.

If you use an Apple Watch, the card updates there as well. You do not need to do anything separately on the watch — the sync happens in the background. The first time you try to pay with your watch after updating, it will use the new card information.

Removing an expired card from Wallet

If you do not want to update an expired card — for example, if the card was closed or you switched banks — you can delete it from Wallet. Open Wallet, tap the card, tap the three dots or info icon, scroll down, and tap Remove Card. Confirm the deletion, and the card is gone.

Deleting a card from Wallet does not affect your bank account or your credit history. It only removes the card from your Wallet app. If you later want to use that card again, you can add it back by tapping the plus icon in Wallet and entering the card number.

Troubleshooting update problems

If you see an error when trying to update your card, first check that you have entered the expiration date and CVV correctly. The expiration date should be in MM/YY format (for example, 03/26), and the CVV is the three-digit code on the back of your card. If those are correct, try closing Wallet and opening it again.

If the Edit option does not appear, your bank may not support manual updates through Wallet. Delete the card and add it again using your full card number — this will trigger a verification process with your bank. If you still cannot add the card, contact your bank to confirm the card is active and that Wallet is supported for that card type.

If your bank sent an automatic update but you did not see a notification, check the top of your card in Wallet for a banner or prompt. You can also try signing out of iCloud and signing back in to refresh your Wallet sync, though this is rarely necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to update my card in Wallet if I still have the physical card?

Yes. Wallet stores a separate copy of your card information for payments, and it does not automatically sync with your bank. If you do not update Wallet, you will not be able to use Apple Pay even though your physical card still works. Updating Wallet does not change anything at your bank — it only refreshes the information Wallet uses.

Will updating my card in Wallet affect my rewards or payment history?

No. Updating your card in Wallet is purely a technical refresh. Your bank account, credit history, rewards balance, and payment record are not affected. The card is the same account — only the expiration date and security code change.

What if my bank does not support Wallet updates?

If your bank does not allow manual updates or automatic pushes, you will need to delete the old card from Wallet and add the new one by entering your full card number. This triggers a verification process with your bank, which usually takes a few minutes. Contact your bank if you are unsure whether they support Wallet.

Can I update my card in Wallet on my computer?

Yes, on a Mac. Open System Settings, go to Wallet and Apple Pay, select your card, and click the edit icon to update the expiration date and CVV. On Windows or other computers, you cannot manage Wallet directly — you will need to use your iPhone or iPad.

What happens to my old card number after I update?

Your old card number is replaced with the new one in Wallet. If your bank issued you a new card number (which happens sometimes), you will need to delete the old card and add the new one. If only the expiration date changed (which is more common), you just update those two fields and keep everything else the same.