Will my Apple Pay work if I order a new card?

Smooth Sailing with Apple Pay: What Happens When You Get a New Card?

Switching to a new credit or debit card can feel like a chore, but what about your beloved Apple Pay? Will you have to painstakingly re-register all your cards? The short answer is: no. Apple Pay is designed to handle card replacements without a hitch.

The magic lies in the way Apple Pay handles your card information. Instead of storing your actual card number, Apple Pay assigns a unique Device Account Number (DAN) to each card added to your device. This DAN acts as a proxy, shielding your real card details from potential vulnerabilities. Think of it as a digital clone of your card, specifically created for use within the Apple Pay ecosystem.

Crucially, this DAN, along with its associated expiration date, updates automatically when you receive a replacement or new card from your bank. This automatic update happens seamlessly in the background, so you generally won’t even notice the transition. Once your bank updates your information, your Apple Pay will reflect the change, ready for your next contactless payment.

What you should (and shouldn’t) do:

• No action usually needed: In most cases, you don’t need to take any action to update Apple Pay when you get a new card. The system is designed to handle the update automatically.

• Check for updates: While automatic updates are the norm, it’s a good idea to briefly check your Apple Pay wallet after receiving a new card. Ensure the card details (number, expiry date) match your physical card.

• Don’t delete your card: Resist the urge to delete your old card information from Apple Pay before your new card information is updated. This could temporarily disrupt your ability to use Apple Pay.

• Contact your bank (if problems arise): If, after a reasonable time (usually a day or two), your Apple Pay isn’t reflecting the new card details, contacting your bank is the best course of action. They can confirm that your card information has been successfully updated with them.

In short, upgrading your card shouldn’t disrupt your Apple Pay experience. Apple’s clever use of DANs ensures that your contactless payments remain uninterrupted, providing a smooth and secure transition to your new card. So, rest assured: your digital wallet will keep up with your physical one.