Have you ever been standing at the checkout, feeling super confident, phone in hand… and then Apple Pay fails like it’s never met you before?
Yeah. Same. And let me tell you—there’s nothing more awkward than staring at the “Payment Not Completed” message while the cashier waits and the line behind you grows.
If you’re here because Apple Pay is not working and you need it fixed fast, you’re in the right place. I wrote this guide because I’ve personally dealt with Apple Pay randomly failing at the worst possible moments (grocery store, coffee run, even while trying to pay online in a hurry). And the good news? Most Apple Pay issues have a simple fix.
So take a deep breath—we’re going to troubleshoot this together, step by step, in the fastest way possible.
Why Apple Pay Stops Working (And Why It’s Usually Not Your Fault)
First, let’s get one thing straight: Apple Pay isn’t perfect. Even though it’s one of the easiest payment systems ever created, it still depends on a bunch of things working at the same time.
Apple Pay can fail because of:
- Your iPhone settings
- Network problems
- A temporary Apple Pay glitch
- Your bank blocking a transaction
- A card verification issue
- The store’s payment terminal acting up
So if you’re thinking, “Did I break something?” — nope. This happens to tons of people.
And honestly? Sometimes it’s the store’s machine, not you.
Quick Checklist: What to Do Immediately When Apple Pay Isn’t Working
Before we go deep into settings and fixes, try these quick troubleshooting steps first. These solve Apple Pay issues surprisingly often.
✅ Fast fixes you should try right now
- Lock and unlock your iPhone (sounds basic, works a lot)
- Turn Airplane Mode ON → wait 5 seconds → OFF
- Try using a different card in Apple Wallet
- Move your phone closer to the payment terminal
- Use Face ID or Touch ID again (don’t rush it)
- Restart your iPhone
If Apple Pay works after one of these, congrats—you just saved yourself 30 minutes of stress.
If not, keep going. We’ll fix it.
Check If Apple Pay Is Down (Yes, That Happens)
Before you assume your phone is the problem, it’s worth checking if Apple Pay services are having issues.
Sometimes Apple has system problems and Apple Pay is affected.
Signs Apple Pay might be down:
- Apple Pay fails on multiple cards
- You can’t add or verify a card
- Transactions fail online and in-store
- The issue started suddenly and nothing changed on your phone
Even if everything looks normal, don’t worry—most of the fixes below still apply.
Make Sure Apple Pay Is Set Up Correctly
This is one of the most overlooked issues: Apple Pay may be enabled, but not properly configured.
Check your Apple Pay setup
Go to:
Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay
Now confirm:
- Apple Pay is turned on
- You see your cards listed properly
- Your default card is selected correctly
If your card shows any warning like “Verification Required” or “Card Not Available,” that’s your clue.
Important: A card may appear in Wallet but still fail if the bank needs re-verification.
Fix 1: Restart Your iPhone (The Classic Fix That Works)
I know, I know… restarting sounds like the “IT support” answer. But it works because it refreshes:
- temporary system errors
- NFC services
- Wallet processes
- connectivity settings
How to restart your iPhone:
- iPhone with Face ID: Hold Side Button + Volume Up → Slide to power off
- iPhone with Home button: Hold Power Button → Slide to power off
Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on and try Apple Pay again.
FYI: This fixes Apple Pay issues more often than you’d expect.
Fix 2: Check Your Internet Connection
Apple Pay doesn’t always need internet for in-store tap payments, but many failures still happen because the iPhone needs to verify something in the background.
What to do:
- Switch from Wi-Fi to Mobile Data (or vice versa)
- Turn Wi-Fi off and back on
- Turn Mobile Data off and back on
- Try Apple Pay again
If you’re in a store with weak reception, that alone can cause problems.
Fix 3: Make Sure Face ID / Touch ID Is Working
Apple Pay relies on authentication. If Face ID is acting weird, Apple Pay can fail even if your card is fine.
Quick Face ID / Touch ID checks:
- Your face is clearly visible (no extreme angle)
- Your finger is clean and dry (for Touch ID)
- Your screen isn’t dirty (seriously, this matters)
Then go to:
Settings → Face ID & Passcode
or
Settings → Touch ID & Passcode
Make sure Wallet is enabled under “Use Face ID/Touch ID For.”
Key takeaway: If your phone can’t authenticate properly, Apple Pay won’t complete the payment.
Fix 4: Turn Apple Pay Off and Back On (Wallet Reset Trick)
This is one of those “weird but effective” tricks.
Do this:
- Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay
- Toggle Apple Pay off
- Restart your phone
- Toggle Apple Pay back on
- Try paying again
It refreshes how Wallet interacts with the system and can clear temporary glitches.
Fix 5: Remove the Card and Add It Again
If Apple Pay keeps declining even though your physical card works, the Apple Wallet card token may be corrupted or outdated.
Steps to remove and re-add your card:
- Open Wallet
- Tap the card that isn’t working
- Tap the three dots (•••) in the top right
- Tap Remove This Card
- Restart your iPhone
- Add the card again:
- Wallet → + Add Card → Follow the prompts
Important: Some cards require a bank app or SMS verification.
If your bank asks you to confirm, do it right away.
Fix 6: Check for iOS Updates (Apple Pay Breaks After Updates Sometimes)
Sometimes Apple Pay stops working after an iOS update—or the update includes a fix and you haven’t installed it yet.
Go to:
Settings → General → Software Update
If an update is available, install it.
Pro tip:
After updating iOS, restart your phone again.
Yes, really.
IMO, most Apple Pay glitches are just small software hiccups that Apple patches quickly.
Fix 7: Enable NFC (It’s Automatic… But Still Important)
Apple Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication). Apple controls NFC automatically, but if something interrupts it, tap-to-pay may stop working.
Things that can interfere with NFC:
- Thick phone cases (especially with metal parts)
- Magnetic wallets or PopSockets near the NFC area
- Damaged phone back glass
- Holding your phone too far away
Try this:
- Remove your case temporarily
- Tap the top of your phone closer to the terminal
- Hold it steady for 1–2 seconds longer
This sounds tiny, but it can be the difference between “Not Completed” and ✅ “Done.”
Fix 8: Check Your Region and Language Settings
This one surprises people.
If your region settings are mismatched, Apple Pay may fail, especially when adding cards or verifying.
Go to:
Settings → General → Language & Region
Confirm:
- Your region matches where you live
- Your date/time settings are correct
Also do this:
Enable Set Automatically in:
Settings → General → Date & Time
Wrong time settings can mess with verification.
Fix 9: Apple Pay Not Working at Checkout? It Might Be the Store Terminal
This is the most annoying situation because you feel like it’s your fault… but it usually isn’t.
Signs the terminal is the issue:
- Apple Pay doesn’t pop up when you double-click the side button
- The terminal says “Insert card” only
- The cashier says “Our tap isn’t working”
- Other people’s Apple Pay fails too
What you can do:
- Ask them to restart the terminal (some will)
- Try another register
- Use your physical card or cash (as a backup)
No shame. It happens.
Fix 10: Apple Pay Declined but Your Card Works? Call Your Bank
If Apple Pay says “Declined” but your card works normally, your bank may be blocking the Apple Pay token transaction.
This can happen because of:
- suspected fraud protection
- spending limits
- online transaction restrictions
- a temporary security lock
What to do:
- Open your banking app and check alerts
- Look for verification messages
- Call your bank and ask:
“Is Apple Pay blocked on my card?”
Sometimes they’ll reset it instantly.
Fix 11: Apple Pay Not Working on Apple Watch? Try These Fixes
If Apple Pay fails on your Apple Watch, it’s usually tied to the watch connection or Wallet sync.
Quick Apple Watch fixes:
- Restart your Apple Watch
- Restart your iPhone
- Make sure Bluetooth is on
- Check that your Watch is unlocked while paying
Re-add the card to Apple Watch:
- Open Watch app on iPhone
- Tap Wallet & Apple Pay
- Remove the card and add it again
If the card works on iPhone but not on Watch, this is usually the fix.
Fix 12: Apple Wallet Not Working? Reset Wallet Settings
Sometimes the issue is bigger than Apple Pay—it’s the Wallet app itself.
Try signing out of iCloud and back in (last resort)
This is more intense, but it can solve persistent Wallet syncing issues.
Go to:
Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out
Then restart your phone and sign back in.
Important: Do this only if nothing else works, because it can temporarily affect syncing.
Fix 13: Reset Network Settings (Only If Apple Pay Still Fails)
If Apple Pay is still not working and you’ve tried everything above, resetting network settings can fix hidden connection glitches.
How to reset network settings:
- Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
This will remove:
- saved Wi-Fi passwords
- VPN settings
- Bluetooth connections
So be prepared to reconnect.
But if Apple Pay was failing due to network conflicts, this can fix it instantly.
Bonus Tips So Apple Pay Doesn’t Fail Again (Because Nobody Wants That)
Once Apple Pay works again, here are a few habits that prevent repeat issues:
✅ Keep Apple Pay reliable
- Keep iOS updated
- Don’t use super thick or magnetic phone cases
- Always keep at least one backup card
- Make sure Face ID stays set up properly
- Enable notifications from your bank app for declines
Also, if you’re traveling, tell your bank ahead of time. Random declines abroad are common.
When You Should Contact Apple Support
If Apple Pay still won’t work after all these fixes, you might be dealing with:
- a hardware NFC issue
- iPhone damage (even small drops can affect NFC)
- Apple ID verification bugs
- device restrictions (like Screen Time limits or work profiles)
Contact Apple Support if:
- Apple Pay never works anywhere
- You can’t add cards at all
- Wallet crashes or freezes
- Face ID/Touch ID works, but Apple Pay won’t authenticate
If you can, test Apple Pay on another iPhone or Apple Watch too.
Conclusion: Apple Pay Not Working? You’ve Got Options
If Apple Pay isn’t working, don’t panic—you’re not stuck. Most problems come down to quick fixes like restarting your device, checking internet settings, re-verifying your card, or removing and re-adding it to Wallet.
Here’s the fast recap:
- Restart your iPhone first
- Check Wallet & Apple Pay settings
- Toggle Airplane Mode / switch Wi-Fi
- Remove and re-add your card
- Update iOS
- If it says Declined, contact your bank
And remember: sometimes it’s the store terminal, not you.
If you want, you can bookmark this guide so next time Apple Pay fails at the worst possible moment, you’ll know exactly what to do. 😉
Now go try the fixes—and enjoy that stress-free tap-to-pay life again!
