Fix Apple Pay Not Working on iPhone 2025

"Yesterday when I was trying to pay my bill through Apple Pay, it failed. It is really an annoying experience and I don't know what is wrong with my Apple Pay. Does anyone know why is my Apple Pay not working?"

Apple Pay is a convenient feature that users can use to make a purchase without using cash or a credit card. However, there is probably a time when Apple Pay not working properly on your phone which makes things worse if you don't have cash. If you encounter Apple Pay problems from time to time, this post is for you. In this post, you will learn why is Apple Pay not working on your iPhone and what are the best solutions to fix this annoying problem. Read it on.

Part 1: Why Is My Apple Pay Not Working on iPhone?

• Faulty digital payment terminal - Check if there is something wrong with the digital payment terminal. If yes, you will not be able to pay through Apple Pay.

• Apple Pay servers down - Sometimes the Apple Pay server may down and all the users will not be able to use the Apple Pay feature until the Apple Pay server is working well again.

• Check if the business supports Apple Pay - Not all the terminal supports Apple Pay. Before purchasing, ensure that the terminal supports Apple Pay.

Part 2: How to Set up Apple Pay on iPhone

To use Apple Pay without any problems, you should first make sure you've set it up properly on your iPhone. If there is a problem with the Apple Pay setup, check the following and double check.

Step 1: Make sure you have your Apple ID signed in on your iPhone.

Step 2: Open Wallet app and tap the Add button.

Step 3: Hit on Debit or Credit Card to add a new card or tap Previous Cards to add a card you've used before.

Step 4: Tap Continue and follow onscreen steps to successfully add a card.

Step 5: Complete verification of information related to your card issuer or bank.

Part 3: The Best Solution to Fix Apple Pay Not Working on iPhone

The first solution you can try to use to fix Apple Pay is not working problem on iPhone is to use a third-party tool. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is a multifunctional iOS unlocking tool that can help users fix more than 150 iOS problems including Apple Pay not working on iPhone.

When users encounter other iOS problems like Apple Pay won't add card, iPhone stuck on Apple logo, or iPhone black screen, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can always help you fix them without causing any data loss. Besides fixing iOS problems on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can also reset iOS device, upgrade/downgrade iOS system, and enter/exit Recovery Mode for free.

Now, let's see how to fix Apple Pay not working on iPhone by using TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1 Connect iPhone to PC

Download and install TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your iPhone. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer. When your iPhone is detected, click on the iOS System Repair and hit on the Start button.

Step 2 Select a Mode

There are two fixing modes in TunesKit iOS System Recovery. Please choose Standard Repair mode to fix the Apple Pay not working problem on your iPhone.

Step 3 Download Firmware Package

Check the onscreen information and download the firmware package to fix your iPhone. If you have a previously download package, you can click on the Next button to select from the file.

Step 4Fix Apple Pay Not Working

After downloading firmware package on your iPhone, you can click the Repair button and then TunesKit iOS System Recovery will start to fix Apple Pay not working on your iPhone.

Part 4: Common Solutions to Fix Apple Pay Not Working

Method 1. Take Off the Case

Though an iPhone case can protect your iPhone from accidental damage, it may too thick or bulky for Apple Pay. When you can't make a purchase by using Apple Pay, taking off the case may be a workable solution. You can remove the case and confirm if the Apple Pay feature is working well.

Method 2. Confirm that the Vendor Supports Apple Pay

Unfortunately, there are still many point-of-sale terminals that do not support Apple Pay. You should ask the cashier if the store supports Apple Pay. It is important to confirm this before you pay. If Apple Pay is not supported, you have to try another payment method to finish the transaction.

Method 3. Relaunch the Apple Wallet App

In general, some minor crash issues can be easily fixed by forcibly quiting and reopening the Apple Wallet app. Double press the Home button or swipe up from the bottom of device screen to the middle to bring up app switcher. Once you find the Apple Wallet app, swipe it up to end the app in the background. Then relaunch it and check whether you can use Apple Pay.

Method 4. Choose the Card Manually

Sometimes the default card in Apple Pay is not the card you thought it is. You can go Apple Pay and check which is the default card and set the card you want for Apple Pay. Just go click on the card and it will say CARD is ready for Apple Pay. Besides, a debit card will also cause the Apple Pay not working problem, try to use a credit card instead.

Step 1. When make a payment, your default card will appear on iPhone. Simply tap on it.

Step 2. Manually select another card that is available to use and finish authentication.

Step 3. Now hold the top of the iPhone to the terminal to initiate payment until you see "Done" on the device screen.

Method 5. Remove and Re-add the Card

Removing the card from your Apple Pay and re-adding it again can be a feasible trick to fix the problem you are now facing. Just follow the steps below to make it.

Step 1. Open the Settings app.

Step 2. Click on the Wallet & Apple Pay, then select the card you are now using.

Step 3. Hit on the Remove This Card option.

Step 4. After removing the card from your iPhone, hit on the Add Card option.

Step 5. Follow the onscreen instruction to add a new card.

Method 6. Enable Double-Click Side Button

Some iPhone users also reported that Apple Pay won't respond to a double-click. There is a great chance you turn off the Double-Click Side Button option unintentionally. Simply go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay. Locate "Double-Click Side Button" option and toggle it on. After that, there should be no problem with Apple Pay not working.

Method 7. Allow Passcode Access When Locked

You can use Apple Pay when you have Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or passcode set on your iPhone. Also, you should ensure that you have allowed access to Wallet app on your device when locked. To do this, simply open Settings → Face ID & Passcode. Then enable Wallet app under Allow Access When Locked.

Method 8. Check Apple Pay Status

In spite of the little possibility of errors caused by Apple Pay itself, you can attempt to visit Apple's System Status page. It may take effect to fix this issue. If the Apple Pay shows the green light, this service is in good condition. Otherwise, it means Apple service is unavailable to use and pending for maintainment. Then you don't have to do anything. Just wait for Apple to officially fix the problem.

Method 9. Charge iPhone

When your iPhone's battery level drops below 20%, it will enter Low Power Mode to save the battery. In this mode, you can't access many features of your device. And it may prevent Apple Pay from working properly. Therefore, it is vital to have a sufficient battery if you'd like to use Apple Pay to make payments.

Method 10. Re-login Apple ID

You can sign out of the Apple ID and then log into it again as the last resort to fix the Apple Pay problem. The following is the tutorial to set it.

Step 1. Open the Settings on iPhone.

Step 2. Tap on the Apple ID profile and scroll down to the Sign Out button.

Step 3. Sign out of your Apple ID.

Step 4. Log into Apple ID again.

Method 11. Check NFC Function

Since Apple Pay is a contactless payment service that uses NFC chip to connect your payment card with the point-of-sale terminal, it will influence your transaction and cause the error from the hardware level. The damaged NFC module can undoubtedly result in Apple Pay not working on your iPhone. You can try to remove your iPhone case to see if NFC function can work well or ask Apple support for further check.

Method 12. Check for Restrictions in Screen Time

If your iPhone is set with restrictions in Screen Time, Apple Pay may not be allowed to use. In this case, you should give permission to your iPhone in Screen Time.

Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone and go to Screen Time section.

Step 2. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions option.

Step 3. Head to Allowed Apps & Features and enable Wallet.

Method 13. Restart Your iPhone

While this is a cliche, as you must know from other similar posts, there's no doubt that restarting your iPhone can fix many basic issues, including Apple Pay stopped working on iPhone. It's worth noting that the operation to reboot iPhone can vary depending on the device model.

• For iPhone X, 11, or later:

Step 1. Press and hold the either Volume button and the Side button simultaneously until the power-off slider appears.
Step 2. Drag the slider and wait nearly 30 seconds.
Step 3. Press and hold the Side button to turn on your iPhone.

• For iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation), 8, 7, or 6:

Step 1. Press and hold the Side button. When the power-off slider appears, drag it to turn off your iPhone.
Step 2. Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

• For iPhone SE, 5, or earlier:

Step 1. Press and hold the Top button and drag the power-off slider after it appears.
Step 2. Then hold the Top button and release it when you see the Apple logo.

Method 14. Reset iPhone Settings

Sometimes overlapping or mismatched settings can cause various glitches in the iPhone. Your Apple Pay may be affected as a result. It is feasible to reset all the settings on your iPhone to get Apple Pay back to normal. This method does not erase the personal data, but all settings are restored to their original state.

Step 1. Go to Settings application on iPhone and tap General option.

Step 2. Scroll down your screen and choose Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.

Step 3. Tap Reset All Settings. After resetting, check your Apple Pay again.

Method 15. Contact Apple Customer Support

If none of the above methods works to fix Apple Pay not working on your device, the last resort is to ask Apple Customer Support for help. Since some hardware issues can't be fixed on your own, so, never hesitate to contact Apple support.

Part 5: FAQ about Apple Pay

Part 6: Conclusion

Hope that the above 6 solutions can help you fix the Apple Pay not working problem with ease. If you are still having other iOS problems on your iOS devices, please try using TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It is a powerful iOS fixing program that can fix 150+ iOS problems without causing any data loss.