Does Apple Pay change the card number?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

Apple Pay does not change the card number associated with a payment card when it is added to the device. Instead, Apple Pay uses a feature called the Device Account Number (DAN) to securely handle transactions.

The DAN is a unique number assigned to each payment card that is added to Apple Pay on a specific device. It is generated and stored securely within the device’s Secure Element, which is a dedicated chip designed to protect sensitive information.

When you add a payment card to Apple Pay, the DAN is created and associated with that card on the specific device. This DAN is used for all transactions made using that card through Apple Pay on that device. It acts as a substitute for the actual card number, providing an additional layer of security.

The DAN is different from the primary account number (PAN) associated with the payment card. The PAN is the actual card number printed on the physical card. Apple Pay does not change the PAN or the card number in any way. The DAN simply acts as a unique identifier for the card on the specific device.

By using the DAN, Apple Pay enhances security during transactions. When you make a purchase using Apple Pay, the DAN is transmitted to the payment terminal or online merchant instead of the actual card number. This helps protect your sensitive card information, as the DAN cannot be used to make transactions without the specific device and proper authorization.

It’s important to note that the DAN remains the same until the payment card is removed from the device. If you decide to remove a card from Apple Pay or switch to a different device, a new DAN will be generated for any cards added to the new device.

In my personal experience, I have found Apple Pay to be a convenient and secure way to make payments. The use of the DAN provides me with peace of mind knowing that my actual card number is not being transmitted during transactions. Additionally, the fact that the DAN remains consistent on a specific device allows for a seamless payment experience across various merchants and apps that support Apple Pay.

Apple Pay does not change the card number associated with a payment card. Instead, it generates a unique Device Account Number (DAN) for each card added to a specific device. The DAN is used as a substitute for the actual card number during transactions, offering enhanced security. The DAN remains the same until the card is removed from the device.