How to Verify a Card for Apple Pay in 4 Steps, with Photos

Key Points

• Apple Pay allows users to add debit or credit cards to their wallet for convenient payments.
• Card verification for Apple Pay can be done on iOS devices or Mac computers by following simple steps.
• If verification errors occur, contacting the financial institution is essential.

Apple Pay is a convenient payment service that lets you add debit or credit cards to your wallet. It’s easy to set up, but you must complete a verification. So, how do you verify a card so you can use it with Apple Pay?

You can verify your identity in a few ways, and we’re about to show you how. But before that, you’ll want to know how Apple Pay works first, then come back. Otherwise, go ahead and learn how to verify cards for Apple Pay.

Card and Apple Pay Verification — Requirements

A good starting place is to know the essential Apple Pay requirements. No one wants to get halfway through a guide only to get sidetracked by information gaps or some vital updates. Here’s what you need to know before you verify your card for Apple Pay:

• Update your devices first. Whether using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, ensure your device runs the latest software, so you won’t run into errors later.
• Ensure your financial institution supports Apple Pay. Visit the company’s website or contact their support to determine whether your card will work with Apple Pay.
• Beware that not all Apple devices have Apple Pay capabilities. Check out this list of Apple Pay-compatible devices here.
• Have your financial institution’s contact number and your account number handy if you run into problems.

If your card fails to work with Apple Pay, the problem isn’t Apple. Instead, your card issuer controls whether you can or can’t use your card. If you run into verification errors, contact your financial institution for help.

How to Verify a Card for Apple Pay on iOS

You can use many devices with Apple Pay, but most prefer our iPhones or iPads. Assuming you have one of those handy, you can follow these quick and simple steps to verify your card for Apple Pay:

Step 1: Launch the Wallet App

Naturally, you’ll start by opening the Wallet App. Go to your device’s home screen or swipe to the right and type Wallet into the search bar at the top.

Step 2: Tap the Card

Scroll through the cards in your Wallet and tap the one you need to verify.

Step 3: Tap Complete Verification

A small hyperlink appears under your card. Tap Complete Verification to move forward.

Step 4: Follow the Instructions

Your iPhone or iPad will now give you instructions to verify your card. As you can see from the screenshot below, we must call our bank for more assistance. Our bank will authorize the card for Apple Pay, and we’re all set!

How to Verify a Card for Apple Pay on Mac

Mac users don’t have to run to the other room to get their iOS devices. Users can verify a card for Apple Pay on a Mac too.

Note: Based on our 2023 tests, after running into an error on a Mac, verification was completed on an iPhone. Although, the Mac also needed to perform a new update.

Step 1: Click the Apple Icon

Unlock your Mac and click the Apple icon in the far left corner.

Step 2: Click System Settings (Formerly System Preferences)

A small dropdown menu will appear, and you can select System Settings (on newer OSX platforms) or System Preferences (on older versions).

Step 3: Click Wallet and Apple Pay

Now, scroll through the menu and click on Wallet and Apple Pay. Those using older OSX versions will see categorized icons, while newer users can scroll down the left-side menu.

Helpful hint: Use the search bar at the top to go directly to the Wallet and Apple Pay option

Step 4: Follow the Steps

Similar to the instructions above, follow the instructions to verify your card. The steps will likely include calling your financial institution. But Apple provides the number, so that’s helpful.

Apple Pay Card Verification – Troubleshooting

If you’re reading this, you’ll probably have gone through the above steps but encountered problems. Try the following to rectify the hiccups.

Contact the Financial Institution

Talk to your bank’s reps if you receive a Could Not Add Card, Invalid Card, or Card Device Limit. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to contact your bank.

Ensure You Meet All Apple Pay Requirements

Apple is heavy on security and not the most user-friendly. Sometimes it isn’t easy to figure out how to do simple tasks. Start by adding a passcode to your device and enabling Touch ID/Face ID.

Ensure your card is eligible for Apple Pay by contacting your financial institution. Then, update your device’s software to the latest version. Software updates fix glitches and add security patches, so this will likely cause problems with card verification.

Lastly, check your Internet connection and ensure there aren’t any system outages. But sometimes, the only option is to change to another Wi-Fi network or wait for an update. This fix can help if your device won’t connect to the App Store.

Verify Your Card for Apple Pay – Wrap Up

While Apple Pay makes life simpler, verifying your card for Apple Pay isn’t always straightforward. Essentially, you’ll need the help of Apple and your card issuer to verify your identity. You must follow the same steps for every card you add.

Ensure your card issuer is compatible with Apple Pay and ready to help you. As a long-time Apple Pay user, the process seems a bit annoying. Anyway, it’s well worth the extra steps to get everything set up!

If, despite following the directions above, you experience issues verifying your card for Apple Pay, check out this video from The Mac Observer. This YouTuber provides expert troubleshooting techniques to help you resolve any issues you may have encountered.

Summary Table

The image featured at the top of this post is ©LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com.