How to fix Apple Pay not working issue on your iPhone

Apple Pay is a fast, secure, and super-convenient way to pay using your iPhone. So when Apple Pay suddenly stops working, it can be frustrating, especially if you’re standing at a checkout counter or trying to complete an urgent payment.

The good news? Most Apple Pay issues are easy to fix. In this guide, you’ll learn why Apple Pay may not be working on your iPhone and exactly how to fix it, step by step, using simple and practical solutions.

Common Reasons Why Apple Pay Is Not Working

Apple Pay can fail for several reasons, and it’s not always obvious which one is causing the problem.

Here are the most common causes:

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• Device compatibility issues: Older iPhone models do not support Apple Pay as they lack NFC and secure authentication.
• Internet or network problems: Apple Pay requires an internet connection to make online or in-app purchases.
• Card or bank-related restrictions: Your bank can prevent you from making transactions, suspend the card, or not support Apple Pay fully.
• Software glitches or outdated iOS: Bugs or old iOS versions can break Apple Pay functionality.
• Incorrect settings: If Apple Pay is not set up properly, it may cause problems.
• Region, merchant, or payment terminal issues: Not all countries, stores, or terminals support Apple Pay, even if the logo is displayed.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before diving into fixes, it’s smart to rule out basic limitations.

• Confirm Apple Pay is supported in your country or region: Apple Pay is not available everywhere. Some regions also limit certain card types. Check if your location is supported.
• Check if the merchant accepts Apple Pay: Look for the Apple Pay or contactless payment symbol at checkout.
• Make sure your device supports Apple Pay: iPhones with Face ID or Touch ID (except iPhone 5s) are required.
• Verify your card is eligible and active: Expired, suspended, or unsupported cards won’t work.
• Enable security features: To use Apple Pay, you need to have Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode, and two-factor authentication for your Apple Account set.

Basic Fixes to Try First

Before changing advanced settings or contacting your bank, it’s always a good idea to start with the simplest fixes. These quick methods solve a surprising number of Apple Pay problems.

Restart Your Device

A simple restart clears temporary system glitches that may interfere with Apple Pay.

1. Long press the Side and Volume button of your iPhone.
2. You will see a power off slider. Drag it to the right.
3. Wait for a few seconds and turn on your iPhone.
4. After the phone boots up, try using Apple Pay again.

Check Internet Connection

Apple Pay needs an active and stable internet connection, especially for online and in-app purchases. Even for in-store payments, your iPhone may still need to communicate with Apple servers or your bank.

If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data. If you’re already on mobile data, turn on Airplane Mode for a few seconds and then turn it off to refresh the connection.

Also make sure you’re not on a weak or restricted network, such as public Wi-Fi that blocks secure transactions. A poor connection can cause Apple Pay to fail without showing a clear error message.

Check Apple System Status

Sometimes Apple Pay doesn’t work because Apple’s services are temporarily down. This isn’t very common, but it does happen during server maintenance or unexpected outages.

Apple Pay relies on Apple’s backend systems to process payments, verify cards, and authenticate transactions. If these services are experiencing issues, Apple Pay may decline payments or not respond at all.

You can check Apple’s official System Status page to see if Apple Pay, iCloud, or Wallet services are marked as unavailable. If there’s an outage, the only solution is to wait until Apple resolves it. No settings change on your iPhone will fix it during that time.

Apple Pay Settings You Should Check

If Apple Pay is still not working after basic fixes, the next step is to review your Apple Pay and security settings. Even a small misconfiguration can prevent payments from going through, especially after an iOS update or device change.

Verify Default Card

Apple Pay automatically uses your default card unless you manually select a different one. If your default card has been declined, temporarily blocked, or exhausted daily limit, Apple Pay may fail even though other cards are still valid.

1. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Select Apple Pay Defaults.
3. Here, verify all the details and settings.
   

Re-authenticate Face ID / Touch ID

Apple Pay requires Face ID or Touch ID to confirm your identity. If biometric authentication isn’t working correctly, Apple Pay won’t complete the payment.

1. Open Settings and select Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
2. Enter your device passcode.
3. Make sure the Contactless & Payments toggle is enabled.
   

If Face ID or Touch ID has been failing recently, turn it off, restart your iPhone, and then set it up again. This refreshes biometric data and often fixes authentication-related Apple Pay issues.

Fix Card-Related Issues on Apple Pay

If Apple Pay opens normally but payments keep getting declined, the issue is very often related to the card itself rather than your iPhone. Banks apply extra security rules to Apple Pay transactions, and even small issues can cause payments to fail.

Here’s how to fix the most common card-related Apple Pay problems.

Choose a Card Manually When Paying

By default, Apple Pay uses your selected default card. If it’s declining repeatedly, try choosing another one.

When making a contactless payment,

1. Double-click the side button of your iPhone and authenticate your Face ID to open the Wallet interface.
2. Tap your default card. It will show you other saved card.
3. Choose a different card and again verify your identity.
4. Finally, hold your iPhone near the payment terminal.

Tip: Try using a credit card instead of a debit card for Apple Pay transactions, especially for online or international payments. Debit cards are more likely to be blocked due to bank security rules.

Remove and Re-Add Your Card

If a card suddenly stops working, removing and re-adding it can fix hidden verification or token issues. This method also works when your current card is expired and you have received a new card.

1. Open the Wallet app and choose the card that’s causing problems.
2. Tap the the three-dot icon and select Card Details.
3. Scroll down and tap Remove Card. Verify your Face ID to confirm.
4. Go back to Wallet app homepage and tap the plus icon.
5. Select your card type and follow the on-screen instructions to verify and add the card.

This process refreshes the secure payment token Apple Pay uses and often resolves issues caused by expired authorizations or software updates.

If you are facing issues when adding cards, go through this guide for card-related fixes.

Contact Your Bank or Card Issuer

Sometimes Apple Pay fails because the bank blocks the transaction, not because anything is wrong with your iPhone.

Banks may block Apple Pay payments due to:

• Suspected fraud or unusual spending patterns
• Travel or international transactions
• Large or repeated payments
• Apple Pay being disabled on your account

Calling or chatting with your bank’s support team can quickly confirm whether the issue is on their end. In many cases, they can unblock Apple Pay within minutes.

Fix Software and System Issues

If your cards and settings look fine but Apple Pay still isn’t working, the problem is likely related to iOS or system-level features on your iPhone.

Update iOS to the Latest Version

Running an outdated version of iOS is one of the biggest reasons Apple Pay stops working. Apple regularly releases updates that fix bugs, improve security, and resolve Wallet or Apple Pay issues.

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
2. After updating, restart your iPhone before trying Apple Pay again.

If Apple Pay stopped working after a recent update, installing the next minor update often fixes newly introduced bugs.

Tip: Check Date & Time settings to ensure your iPhone syncs correctly with Apple Pay servers.

Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode helps save battery, but it can limit background processes and system features that Apple Pay depends on.

1. Open Settings, select Battery, scroll down, and toggle off Low Power Mode.
2. Once disabled, lock your iPhone, unlock it again, and try making a payment.
   

Many users notice Apple Pay starts working immediately after turning this off.

Sign Out and Sign Back Into Apple ID

Apple Pay is tied closely to your Apple ID. If there’s a syncing or authentication issue with your account, Apple Pay may fail silently.

To refresh your Apple ID connection:

1. Go to Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
   
3. It will show you a prompt. Select Sign Out But Don’t Erase > Continue.
4. Follow the instructions to sign out of your Apple Account safely.
5. Restart your iPhone.
   
6. Now, sign back in using the same Apple ID email address and password.

After signing in, open the Wallet app and confirm your cards are still available.

Reset Network Settings

Network-related issues can interfere with Apple Pay, especially if you’ve recently changed carriers, used VPNs, or connected to unstable Wi-Fi networks.

Resetting network settings clears saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, and cellular configurations—but it won’t delete your personal data.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   
2. Tap Reset and Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your passcode.
   
4. Once the reset is complete, reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile data and test Apple Pay again.

Apple Pay Not Working in Stores vs Online

Apple Pay issues often depend on where you’re trying to pay.

Apple Pay Not Working at POS Terminals

• NFC issues: Make sure NFC is working properly.
• Phone positioning tips: Hold the top of your iPhone close to the payment terminal for a few seconds.
• Remove phone case: Thick or metal cases can interfere with NFC signals.
• Traveling abroad? Currency rules or international transaction blocks may stop Apple Pay from working.

Check out our guide to learn which stores accept Apple Pay.

Apple Pay Not Working in Apps or Websites

• App compatibility issues: Some apps don’t fully support Apple Pay or need updates.
• Safari vs third-party browsers: Apple Pay works best in Safari. Many third-party browsers don’t support it.

Advanced Troubleshooting (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, try these only as a last step.

• Reset All Settings: This resets system preferences without deleting data.
• Erase and Restore iPhone: Always back up your iPhone first. This completely refreshes the system.
• Contact Apple Support: If Apple Pay still doesn’t work, official support can check hardware or account-level issues.

Final Thoughts

Apple Pay not working on your iPhone can be annoying. However, generally, there is an easy way to get Apple Pay back on your iPhone.

If issues persist, do not hesitate to contact your bank or Apple Support. This is actually a security restriction issue instead of a device-related issue.

Which method resolved your issue? Let others know in the comments below!

You might also like to read…

• Send-receive Apple Pay Cash using iMessage on iPhone and iPad
• How to set up and use Apple Pay on Apple Watch
• Transfer Apple Cash to bank account or debit card
• How to use Tap to Pay on iPhone
• What stores take Apple Pay?