Why does Apple Pay require credit cards?

Apple Pay does not hold any funds at all. It is a payment conduit, not an account. It uses payment methods added to the Wallet App to make payments in physical stores and websites that support Apple Pay.

You can use funds in the Apple Cash account in the Wallet app to pay through Apple Pay, by selecting that card during checkout at a store or website that supports Apple Pay.

You may be confusing Apple Pay, with your Apple ID account. Those are 2 separate and independent things. Not related to each other.

Your Apple ID account is different to Apple Pay, and the funds it holds can be used in the iTunes and App Stores. You don't need a card for that.

When making purchases in the iTunes, Books and App Stores, your Apple ID balance is automatically used to pay for purchases. You don't have to do anything.

Apple Pay is a secure conduit to make payments. It hides your actual card number from the merchant and only your bank or card issuer can see an encrypted account number when they approve the charge.

It's similar to using Pay Pal, or Samsung Pay or even Google Pay.

The cards are held on a secure platform and not shared with any one during payment.

click here ➜ Apple Pay - Apple

jwritty wrote:

Thank you! I'm still confused, though—why would I want to use Apple Pay to charge something to a credit card when I can just use the credit card itself?

Additionally, it can be very convenient to be able to make a payment with your iPhone or Watch if you've forgotten your wallet. I love being able to pay with my Apple Watch. I have my debit card, not a credit card, connected to Apple Pay.