Can I use Apple Pay without a card?

Answered by James Kissner

You can use Apple Pay without a physical debit or credit card by setting up and using Apple Cash. Apple Cash is a feature that allows you to make payments and send money to others using your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.

To use Apple Cash, you will need to set it up first. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
2. Tap on the “+” button to add a new card.
3. Select “Apple Cash” from the list of available options.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Apple Cash. This may include verifying your identity and agreeing to the terms and conditions.

Once you have set up Apple Cash, you can add money to it in a few different ways:

1. Transfer from your bank account: If you have a bank account linked to Apple Pay, you can transfer money from your bank account to your Apple Cash balance. To do this, open the Wallet app, tap on your Apple Cash card, and then tap on the “…” button. From there, select “Transfer to Bank” and follow the prompts to transfer money to your Apple Cash balance.

2. Receive money from others: If someone sends you money using Apple Pay, it will be added to your Apple Cash balance automatically. You can request money from others by using the Messages app and the Apple Pay Cash app. Simply open a conversation in Messages, tap on the App Store icon, and then select the Apple Pay Cash app. From there, you can enter the amount you want to request and send the request to the person you want to receive money from.

3. Add money at retail stores: Some retail stores allow you to add money to your Apple Cash balance at the cash register. Simply ask the cashier if you can add money to your Apple Cash balance, and they will guide you through the process.

It’s important to note that while you can use Apple Pay without a physical debit or credit card by using Apple Cash, you will still need a bank account to transfer money to and from your Apple Cash balance. However, you do not necessarily need a debit or credit card linked to your Apple Pay account.

Using Apple Cash can be a convenient way to make payments and send money to others without the need for physical cards. It’s a secure and easy-to-use feature that can simplify your financial transactions.