Why can't I add Citibank-issued credit cards to Apple Wallet?

Ever since I started using AppleWallet (three phones ago), I have been unable to add my Citibank Costco Visa and AAdvantage MasterCard to it. Just traded up (from a 12 ProMax) to a 15 Pro, and I still can't do it. I keep getting "contact your card issuer" error messages. What's wrong with Citibank anyway--is it because these cards are "affinity" cards rather than Citibank Visa or MasterCard issued directly by the bank rather than a "partner" business entity? I also have trouble trying to add my driver's license and transit pass. Any clues? (Please, no multi-paragraph lines of code like someone kept posting a year or two ago, thinking he was being helpful).

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Oct 9, 2023 7:32 PM

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Posted on Oct 10, 2023 5:14 AM

The way Apple Wallet works is, you enter the card data and Apple encrypts the data and sends it to the bank. The bank has the key to decrypt the data and they match what was sent to their records. Some of the data is your name, address, DOB and other identifying information. If the information matches they send back a message saying they’ll contact you. The bank decides if it’ll be text, email or phone call. You will see a partial phone number or email. You cannot pick method of contact. Once you receive the code, you enter numbers and agree to terms and conditions and card is added to iPhone.


When you see the message to contact bank, it’s almost certainly either information doesn’t match or you’ve tried to enter the card too many times within an unspecified period of time. You must contact the bank and verify the information. In most cases it’s an inaccurate phone number or email. Banks may have the correct number, but the cell phone is not marked as primary number.


Many banks use a third party service to do the verification. The third party can have wrong information. Once the bank updates their system to could be several days before the third party syncs data from the bank.


Generally, the bank support team is not well versed on how Apple Pay works. If you can get through to a higher level of support or a specialist in Apple Pay, things can be updated quickly.


Lastly, your card may need to be reprovisioned in order to add it to Apple Pay. The bank or third party provider may need to perform the reprovisioning.


If you’ve questions, please let me know.

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19 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 10, 2023 5:14 AM in response to Sandra Andina1

The way Apple Wallet works is, you enter the card data and Apple encrypts the data and sends it to the bank. The bank has the key to decrypt the data and they match what was sent to their records. Some of the data is your name, address, DOB and other identifying information. If the information matches they send back a message saying they’ll contact you. The bank decides if it’ll be text, email or phone call. You will see a partial phone number or email. You cannot pick method of contact. Once you receive the code, you enter numbers and agree to terms and conditions and card is added to iPhone.


When you see the message to contact bank, it’s almost certainly either information doesn’t match or you’ve tried to enter the card too many times within an unspecified period of time. You must contact the bank and verify the information. In most cases it’s an inaccurate phone number or email. Banks may have the correct number, but the cell phone is not marked as primary number.


Many banks use a third party service to do the verification. The third party can have wrong information. Once the bank updates their system to could be several days before the third party syncs data from the bank.


Generally, the bank support team is not well versed on how Apple Pay works. If you can get through to a higher level of support or a specialist in Apple Pay, things can be updated quickly.


Lastly, your card may need to be reprovisioned in order to add it to Apple Pay. The bank or third party provider may need to perform the reprovisioning.


If you’ve questions, please let me know.

May 12, 2024 2:35 AM in response to digjoe

I used the Citi app as outline here - https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/digital-wallet/apple-pay


That said, my first attempts did not work. It worked for me after doing these two things; not sure if I was just lucky, or if one of the two or both actually kicked it loose enough to work.


I locked and then unlocked my card within the Citi app. I also fully scrolled through the terms and conditions before accepting.


Best of luck and best regards

Mar 30, 2024 9:06 AM in response to digjoe

When the terms and conditions are sent, Apple also sends the CVV/CVC code to the bank. Some banks do their own verification, some use a third party merchant services company and some use the payment network (Visa, MasterCard etc.).


You could be having issues with the security code and failing the verification. It’s conceivable that the issue is with the terms and conditions. If both those are accepted, you’re sent the verification step, which you are not receiving.


You pay need to escalate your issue with the bank. The bank may also need to raise the issue with whoever they use for verification. Many tier 1 support team members at banks don’t know that many banks use a third party and just pass off the issue as Apple’s, when it’s more than likely a bank/verification issue.

Oct 9, 2023 7:55 PM in response to Sandra Andina1

Hi Sandra, I’m Jeff. I’ll be happy to try and help. I’m at the end of my day and I’m more than happy to work with you and try to help with your issue. But please understand this is not official Apple support. This is Apple Support Community and we’re all Apple users and enthusiasts like you.


When you try to add your Citibank issued card to the Wallet app, what is the specific error message you receive?

Mar 29, 2024 6:06 PM in response to Sandra Andina1

That is exactly my situation!! Costco card and AADVANTAGE card. AA card verified first time then Costco didn’t!! Reset passcode as some suggest and second time neither verified!! All other’s either pushed 6 digits (well Fargo, synchrony) or said call and displayed number (chase)! Chase then click verified my cards in their end and good to go! Citibank, I get error and they cannot explain why!!

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Why can't I add Citibank-issued credit cards to Apple Wallet?

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