Have you ever gone to buy an app, movie, or subscription through the App Store only to find your credit card was declined? An expired or invalid payment method is one of the most frustrating roadblocks when trying to make purchases on your Apple device.
Thankfully, it’s easy to update your payment information. Whether you got a new debit card or want to switch from credit card to PayPal, you can change your App Store payment method in just a few minutes.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process for updating your payment info on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows. With helpful screenshots and troubleshooting tips, you’ll be able to seamlessly manage your App Store payments.
Why You Might Need to Change Your Payment Method
Before we dive in, let’s look at some of the most common reasons people need to update their payment information for the App Store:
- Your credit card expired or was lost/stolen
- You received a new card after your old one was compromised
- You prefer to use a different payment method like PayPal or Apple Cash
- Your payment information is invalid and gets declined
- You moved to a new country and need to update location/currency
According to Apple, the most common cause of failed App Store purchases is an expired credit card that was not updated. They recommend regularly reviewing your account and payment info to ensure it‘s current.
So don‘t get caught off guard when your annual app subscriptions try to renew! By taking a few proactive minutes to update your payment details, you can avoid headaches down the road.
Next, let‘s look at how to change your payment method right from your Apple device or desktop.
Updating Payment Info on iPhone or iPad
Thanks to Apple Pay and stored payment methods, changing your payment info on iPhone or iPad takes just a few taps:
Step 1: Open the Settings App
From your home screen, tap the Settings icon to launch the app.
Step 2: Tap Your Name
At the very top of Settings, you‘ll see your name and Apple ID listed. Tap your name to open your Apple account details.
Step 3: Choose Payment & Shipping
Scroll down until you see the Payment & Shipping option. Tap it to manage payment methods.
Step 4: Select Payment Information
You may need to use Face ID or Touch ID at this point. Once authenticated, select Payment Information.
Step 5: Tap Add Payment Method
To add a new credit/debit card, Apple Cash, or PayPal, tap the + icon in the top-right corner.
Step 6: Enter Your New Payment Details
Carefully enter all the details for your new payment method, including:
- Card number
- Expiration date
- Security code
- Billing address
Once everything is filled in, tap Done to finish adding your new payment information. It now becomes the default payment method.
That‘s all there is to it! Updating your payment method takes less than a minute on iOS. Just repeat these steps whenever you receive a new credit card or want to switch payment types.
Changing Payment Method on Mac
If you prefer managing App Store payments on your Mac or MacBook, here are the steps:
Step 1: Launch the App Store
Click the App Store icon in your dock or select it from your Applications folder.
Step 2: Click Your Account
At the bottom of the App Store window, click on your name or account icon.
Step 3: Choose View Information
In the dropdown menu, click on View Information.
Step 4: Click Payment Information
Along the top row of options, select Payment Information.
Step 5: Click the Plus (+) Icon to Add Payment Method
To add a new credit card, PayPal, or other payment method, click the + button.
Step 6: Enter Your New Payment Details
Carefully fill in the card number, expiration date, CVV code, and billing details for your new payment method. Click Done when finished.
And that‘s all it takes! Your selected payment method instantly becomes the new default for App Store purchases and subscriptions.
Updating Payment Method on Windows PC
You don‘t need a Mac to manage App Store payments. As long as you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your Windows 10 PC, you can easily edit payment information by following these steps:
Step 1: Launch iTunes
Open the iTunes app on your computer. You can search for it or find it in your Start menu.
Step 2: Click Account
At the top of the iTunes window, click on Account to access your account options.
Step 3: Choose View My Account
In the dropdown menu, select View My Account to see your Apple ID and payment details.
Step 4: Click Manage Payments
Along the right side, click the Manage Payments option.
Step 5: Click Add Payment Method
To add new payment information, click the Add Payment Method button at the bottom.
Step 6: Enter Your New Payment Details
Carefully fill in your new card details including number, expiration, CVV code, and billing info. Click Done when finished to save changes.
And that‘s all there is to it! With just six quick steps, you can seamlessly update your payment method on Windows PC.
Changing App Store Country or Region
What if you move to a new country and need to not only update your payment details, but also change your App Store country?
Don‘t worry – it‘s easy to do right from your device or computer:
On iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings > [Your Name] > Country/Region
- Select your new country from the list
- Agree to the Terms & Conditions
On Mac
- Open App Store > Click Account > Change Country or Region
- Choose your new country
- Confirm the country change
Once you complete the region change, you can go back and add new payment information from that country. This is handy if you move overseas or switch to a different App Store.
Removing Old Payment Methods
After several years of App Store purchases, you may have old expired cards or unused payment methods on your account. Here‘s how to tidy up your payment info by removing them:
On iPhone/iPad
- Open Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping
- Tap outdated payment method > Scroll down > Tap Remove
On Mac
- Open App Store > Click Account > View Information > Payment Information
- Click Edit next to old payment method > Click Remove
On Windows
- Open iTunes > Account > View My Account > Manage Payments
- Click Edit next to old method > Click Remove Payment Method
I recommend keeping an old payment source on your account in case you ever need to verify identity and recover access. But removing unused cards helps keep your App Store payment info clean and secure.
Troubleshooting Payment Method Updates
Sometimes you may run into issues while trying to update your payment information. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Authentication failed – Double check you‘re using the correct Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password when prompted.
- Can‘t add new payment – Make sure you entered all fields – card number, expiration, CVV, and zip code.
- Payment declined error – Contact your card issuer to confirm your card is active and no fraud alerts are blocking transactions.
- Account locked – If your account is completely locked, you‘ll need to contact Apple Support to regain access before updating payments.
- Removed wrong card – You can always add back the payment method again from scratch following the steps above.
As long as you carefully enter the complete card details, changing your payment method is quick and hassle-free. But if issues pop up, these troubleshooting tips should help get things working smoothly again.
FAQs About Updating Payment Methods
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about changing your payment info on the App Store:
Does Apple update my card if it expires?
No. Apple does not automatically fetch new expiration dates or details for expired cards. You need to manually enter updated card info.
Can I have multiple payment methods?
Yes, you can have several active payment methods on your App Store account and easily switch between them.
How do I change from credit card to PayPal?
Simply add your PayPal account as a new payment method. Log into your PayPal when prompted during setup.
What if my card is lost, stolen, or compromised?
Contact your bank to cancel your old card and issue a new one. Then update your payment method with the new card‘s number and details.
What‘s the easiest device to update payments?
Payment updates are quickest on iPhone/iPad since you can use fingerprint/Face ID. But it‘s nearly as easy on Mac and Windows by following the steps outlined.
Seamlessly Update Your Payment Info
Nobody wants to deal with declined payments and errors when trying to download apps or re-subscribe to services. By taking a quick minute to update your payment method right from your Apple device, you can avoid unnecessary headaches.
Whether you switch credit cards, move to a new country, or want to change to PayPal, following this simple guide makes it easy. Keep your payment method current so you can seamlessly purchase apps, games, music, movies, iCloud storage, and other Apple services year-round.
