Quick Scoop

Changing the default card on Apple Pay is a straightforward process that takes just a few taps in your iPhone settings. The default card is automatically selected when you hold your phone near a card reader or open the Wallet app for payments.

How to Change Default Card via Settings

The primary method involves accessing your iPhone's settings menu. Open the Settings app from your home screen and scroll down until you find "Wallet & Apple Pay". Inside this menu, scroll down to the "Transaction Defaults" section where you'll see "Default Card" along with the currently selected card. Tap on "Default Card" to view all available payment cards in your wallet. Select the card you want to set as your new default, whether it's a credit card, debit card, or even Apple Cash. After making your selection, you can close Settings and your new default card will be active.

Alternative Method Using Wallet App

There's also a quicker visual method that doesn't require diving into Settings. Simply open the Wallet app directly on your iPhone. Press and hold your finger on the card you want to make the default, then drag it to the front position of your card stack. This physical rearrangement instantly sets that card as your new default for Apple Pay transactions.

Important Details

  • The first card you add to Apple Wallet automatically becomes your default card
  • You can store up to 8 different cards on any device
  • Even with a default card set, you can still choose a different card at the point of sale by selecting it before completing the transaction
  • For Apple Watch users, the process differs slightly: open the Watch app, go to the My Watch tab, tap "Wallet & Apple Pay," then "Default Card" to choose a new one

TLDR

To change your default Apple Pay card on iPhone: Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Default Card, then select your preferred card. Alternatively, open the Wallet app and drag your desired card to the front of the stack. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.