Can't add card to Apple pay

I have tried adding my cards back into Apple pay after transferring al my data to a new iphone 12 but am unable to add one of my debit cards. It keeps saying card cannot be added and to contact my card issuer for further details but my bank have said there is nothing wrong as I have previously used the same card in apple pay before.

I have also contacted apple support and they have said that apple pay is up and running and there should not be anything wrong on their end and to again contact my bank...

I'm at a loss here as I'm not sure what else there is to do - I have tried signing out and back into icloud, restarting my phone, checking all the regions etc are correct for apple pay but nothing seems to have worked. I feel like this might just be a new bug in the phone?? I wonder if anyone else has experienced this before

iPhone 12, iOS 14

Posted on Dec 29, 2020 6:27 AM

Reply
7 replies

Dec 29, 2020 6:51 AM in response to jchamberlainmain

  1. Sometimes if you sign out of your Apple ID and back in it resolves the problem.
  2. Make sure you are using the latest iOS/macOS update.
  3. Check your Apple ID region to make sure it is correct. If it is correct, you may need to select the same region again. (Change your Apple ID country or region - Apple Support)
  4. Check the region on your device to ensure it is correct (Settings>general>language & region - set to your region)
  5. A passcode is required to use the Wallet app. 
  6. You need to be in a region that supports Apple Pay - Countries and regions that support Apple Pay - Apple Support
  7. Your bank needs to support Apple Pay - Apple Pay participating banks - Apple Support
  8. If none of these suggestions are able to resolve your issue you can go here for further assistance - If you can't add cards to Wallet for Apple Pay - Apple Support
  • If you need to change your default payment in Wallet or have other issues such as the inability to add passes you can go to these links which covers managing Wallet and wallet use.
  • Add and manage passes in Wallet on iPhone - Apple Support, please note that passes cannot be directly added within wallet, except for QR code enabled passes. For everything else, its done either through the associated app, an email, airdrop or a link in a website.
  • If you get an error that you already have the maximum amount of cards in wallet with less than 22 cards signing out of your Apple ID and back in usually resolves this issue.
  • If you are getting a message to contact the card issuer, call the bank or credit card company who issued you the card to make sure there are no restrictions on the card. 
  • If you are getting a message that Apple Pay services are unavailable at this time, sign out of your Apple ID and back in.
  • How to use Wallet on your iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support,
  • Manage the cards that you use with Apple Pay - Apple Support


Dec 29, 2020 11:05 AM in response to jchamberlainmain

The problem with that is that taking a poll violates the terms of use for this forum. Those links are a starting point. There are more things you can try. Stop assuming that I am just trying to pass you off by posting links. I spent a long time compiling the initial troubleshooting steps you ignored. We are all volunteers here and fellow users like you please respond as such.


  1. go to settings>general>reset>reset all settings.
  2. go to settings>Wallet & Apple Pay>try to add card there.
  3. go to settings>general>reset>erase all content and set up as new (not from a back up since that could be corrupt)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can't add card to Apple pay

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.