Apple Pay setup errors on iPhone 15

Faced the exact same symptoms as ptueminh on an iPhone 15 Pro. In my case, there was a hardware failure with the NFC chip, which surfaced the confusing "Could not set up Apple Pay" message. Apple replaced the phone under warranty.

If there is a hardware fault with NFC, Apple MRI diagnostics should show faults with Apple Pay and Magsafe.

Unforunately the NFC hardware seems to be a weak point for the iPhone 15 line. Ref: https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/01/bmw-charging-may-break-iphone-15-nfc-chip/

That’s possibly the issue. You will need to try resetting network settings on your iPhone.

If you're using iOS or iPadOS 15 or later, tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

If you're using iOS or iPadOS 14 or earlier, tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

What do you see when you follow the path below,

iPhone > Settings app > General > VPN & Device Management > delete any VPN associated files.

There may not be any be any files there but it needs to be checked.

That’s not a button or link. Some VPNs have profiles that need to be deleted. Deleting the app sometimes leaves the profile. Yours seems to be gone, which is good.

How many times, approximately, have you tried adding the same card?

It may be a bank issue. The test is to create a second Apple ID.

Once the second ID is created log into the account on your iPhone.

Add one card to the Wallet app. If it works, it’s not an iPhone or Apple hardware or software issue. If it works, it’s the bank and/or Payment Network (Mastercard, Visa etc.)

Banks and Payment Networks have to pass adding the card to the Wallet. The two most common blocks are fraud alert on the account and token blocks. Card accounts have a limited number of tokens permitted to be assigned to the device. The bank and/or Payment Network need to remove some tokens. If it’s a fraud alert, it needs to be removed.

Token removal is instant. Fraud alert removal can take several days in my experience. You need to work with the bank that issued the card to remove tokens and fraud alerts. The bank in turn will need to work with the Payment Network to also remove tokens and fraud alerts.

Apple can do remote diagnostics and detect NFC module issues. Just call 1-800–MY-APPLE.

If you choose to go directly to an Apple Store you’ll have to book an appointment at the Genius Bar to have diagnostics performed on your iPhone. You can call the same number to schedule an appointment.

This comment helped me massively! I had this issue and called apple support as don’t have a local Apple Store, showed them your comment, they ran a diagnostic straight away and confirmed there was an issue with the NFC chip and also the Mag Safe, I then had to visit store and gave my phone replaced as only had it 4 weeks.

Where do you live? Are your regions/countries set correctly?

Confirm your region is set correctly.

Change the language and region on iPhone - Apple Support

Change your Apple ID country or region

Have you resolved this issue yet?