Apple Pay payment declined randomly but same card physically works

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Level 1

52 points

Apple Pay payment declined randomly but same card physically works

Hi,

I have had my credit card set up on my Apple Pay for over a year.

I regularly make payments from this card using Apple Pay using my iphone and watch.

Occasionally, however, the Apple Pay payment will decline. There are always enough funds for the payment and using the physical credit card immediately on the same terminal that the Apple Pay was declined on always goes through.

Why do these random and occasional declines for Apple Pay happen? The random nature of it and the fact that there are no obvious reasons for the failure completely undermine the usefulness of Apple Pay. If I still have to carry a wallet with me because Apple Pay goes wrong, then why continue with it all?

Does anyone have any ideas?

My ios and watchos are all up to date, my balance is always far in excess of what is required and my expiration dates are far into the future.

Apple Watch Ultra 2, watchOS 10

Posted on Jun 12, 2024 4:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,466 points

Jun 12, 2024 5:39 AM in response to HearMyMoo

The green check mark, smiley face and audible sound means the data was successfully sent to the merchant. From there the data ultimately goes to the bank for approval or decline based on account information and then sent back to merchant.It could be the merchant causing the issue. The terminal may be having issues, the merchant may have turned off Apple Pay, or the merchant’s gateway provider is blocking it. It’s even possible it’s the Payment Network Operator (Visa, Mastercard etc.) that is blocking it.

If the issue persists, contact your bank and explain the issue. Your bank can contact the PNO and they can resolve it that way. Apple can’t pursue it because your information and transaction details are encrypted and anonymous. Apple doesn’t have the key to decrypt the data, your bank has the key.

Sorry I couldn’t help more, but hopefully the explanation helps. I’m always happy to explain how Apple Pay works.

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Answer 2

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,466 points

Jun 12, 2024 4:56 AM in response to HearMyMoo

Do you have a case on the iPhone? Which iPhone model do you have?

When attempting to use Apple Pay do you get the green check mark and smiley face? Where do you see decline or does the clerk tell you? What does the transaction terminal show?

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Answer 3

HearMyMoo Author

Level 1

52 points

Jun 12, 2024 5:01 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Hi,

My iphone is a 15 Pro Max, and it has a wood Maus case on it. When making the payments I do get the green check mark and the smiley face. It is the terminal that says ‘payment declined’. Immediately then using the physical credit card for the same account then works perfectly. I would say that Apple Pay works 99 times out of 100, but my card works 100 times out of 100 and so doesnt catch me out like Apple Pay does. It also isnt just my iphone this happens on, but also my Watch Ultra 2, and prior to that, my Watch SE - both of which have no cases or screen protectors.

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Apple Pay payment declined randomly but same card physically works

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