Apple Pay not working in Messages

If you try to use Apple Cash to send or receive money and need help, try these steps.

What you need to send or receive money

To send and receive money using Apple Cash, you must be a resident of the United States and your device must be in the United States.1 If you're under 18 years old, your family organizer must set up Apple Cash for you as part of Apple Cash Family. Then, you can send and receive money in Messages or Wallet.

To make sure that you have everything you need, follow these steps: 

1. Check for iOS or watchOS updates.
2. Make sure that your device is eligible.
3. Make sure that you have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. 
4. Sign in to iCloud and iMessage with the same Apple ID on any device that you want to use to send or receive money:
   • iCloud: Tap Settings > [your name].
   • iMessage: Tap Settings > Messages > Send & Receive.

Try to send money

After each step, see if you can send money:

1. Restart your device.
   
2. See if you, or the recipient, need to verify your identity.
3. Make sure that the recipient is eligible to receive Apple Cash payments. The recipient must meet the requirements, and they need the latest versions of iOS or watchOS. If the recipient doesn't meet the requirements, you'll see a message that they aren't eligible in Messages. 
4. If you’re asked to choose a lower amount or try again later, you might have encountered a limit. Learn about the limits for sending and receiving money.
5. If you're trying to send money from your debit card in Wallet using Apple Cash, and you see a message that the payment couldn't be completed because it was declined by your bank, contact your bank or card issuer.

If you sent money to the wrong person, ask them to send the money back. If the other person hasn't accepted the payment, you can cancel the payment until they accept it. If the person doesn't accept the payment within 7 days, the money automatically returns to you.

If you're under 18 years old and part of Apple Cash Family

Try to receive money

After each step, see if you can receive money:

1. Restart your device.
2. See if you need to verify your identity.
3. Make sure that you meet the requirements. 
4. If you see Accept in the message, tap it. If this is the first payment that you’ve received or if you turned off the setting to automatically accept payments, then you need to tap to accept the money.
5. Tap Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, then make sure that you turned on Apple Cash.
6. If you’re asked to request a lower amount or try again later, you might have encountered a limit. Learn about the limits for sending and receiving money.

If you need help with an Apple Cash transaction

1. Apple Cash services are provided by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more about the Terms and Conditions.

Published Date: July 01, 2022

Last modified: Nov 2, 2022 4:00 PM

Rating: 5 out of 5

Problems with Apple Pay, Apple Card, Apple Cash and their solutions

on iPhone

1. Go to settings>Wallet & Apple Pay>transaction defaults>address - update as needed
2. Go to Wallet app>tap on any card>tap three dots in corner>tap address - edit as needed for all cards
3. Go to settings>Apple ID (your name at the top)>payment & shipping>address - edit as needed.

on Mac

open Music>select iTunes Store on the left menu>go to the bottom where it says account>sign in>address - change as needed.

on PC

open iTunes and the rest of the instructions should be the same as for Mac.

• There is a different User Tip which covers setting up your phone correctly and how to apply for Apple Card - Steps to take for applying to Apple Card - Apple Community
• Apple Card data can be exported to third party financial software. Manage your Apple Card account - Apple Support
• Statements for Apple Card can be downloaded to the iPhone by opening Wallet>tap on Apple Card>tap on Card Balance/Total Balance>Statements - select month>tap download PDF.
• Goldman Sachs will need your credit history with Apple Card to inform any request for credit limit increases on Apple Card. This can take six months or more. You must call (1-877-255-5923) or message Goldman Sachs to request a credit limit increase.
• Apple Card cannot be co-signed for.
• Apple Card is designed for one user and cannot be shared with different Apple IDs.
• Apple Card is reporting to multiple credit unions

• If you send someone money through Apple Cash and they do not accept it the payment will expire after several business days and then return to your Apple Cash several business days after that.
• If your Apple Cash is locked or restricted you must go here to start the lengthy process of getting it unlocked or the short process to get it unrestricted - If your Apple Cash account is restricted or locked - Apple Support

Go to your Apple Cash card

• iPhone: Open the Wallet app, then tap your Apple Cash card.
• iPad: Open the Settings app, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap your Apple Cash card.
• Apple Watch: Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap your Apple Cash card.

You'll see the option to Verify Identity or Contact Apple Support. Tap one, then follow the onscreen steps. Learn more about identity verification. 

1. If your account is restricted, you can still transfer your Apple Cash balance to your bank or use it to make purchases in stores, within apps, and on the web.1
2. If your account is locked, you can't use Apple Cash to make purchases; add, send and receive money; or transfer the money in your account.

• Apple Cash can be used overseas and as your default payment method for Apple Pay IF the store accepts Apple Pay and Discover Card. If a store does not accept Discover Card then you will have to use another payment method.
• If you were transferred money and it does not appear, sign out of your Apple ID and back in.
• You may not add or receive $500 or more in total without verifying your identity. Identity verification for Apple Card or Apple Cash - Apple Support
• Apple Cash cannot be refunded if you have been the victim of a scam. There is no buyer protection for Apple Cash. You must report it to the police and report it here - contact us to open a dispute
• If the scam happened on social media (Facebook/Instagram, etc.) you need to let them know as well.
• If you have a negative balance on your Apple Cash you need to transfer enough money from your bank account to cover the negative amount. You should also go here - Apple Pay Customers If you reported a scam to your bank they may have illegally initiated an Apple Cash transfer of the amount you were scammed. This is not a refund since it is your money they transferred. Do not report a scam to your bank because they have no authority to interact. Go to this link https://applecash.greendot.com/termsconditions/ and go to section 9 for a way to contact Green Dot.
• To transfer money from Apple Cash to your bank account using Instant Transfer you must use a Visa debit card.
• If you do not see the option to use the regular transfer you may need to reduce your text size.
• Here is the link for transferring money from Apple Cash to your Bank Transfer money in Apple Cash to your bank account or debit card - Apple Support
• To add money to Apple Cash you need a debit card or prepaid debit card Add money to Apple Cash - Apple Support
• You cannot transfer money from your Apple ID or iTunes pass to your Apple Cash. You have to meet certain criteria. Go here for assistance - iTunes - Official Apple Support

About unused Apple ID balance

You can't redeem or return Apple Gift Cards, App Store & iTunes Gift Cards, or unused Apple ID balance for cash, except as required by law. If your jurisdiction allows for refund of redeemed gift balances, you can contact Apple Support to request a refund. When you contact Apple, please include the following information:

Your Apple ID. The refund amount. Your current shipping address.

• If you can't send or receive money in messages If you can't send or receive money in Messages with Apple Cash
• To set up Apple Cash Family you must first close any accounts that children already had. Make sure that the balance is zero then go here - Manage your Apple Cash account - Apple Support next, go here - Set up and use Apple Cash Family. (Additional support links View and limit your child or teen's Apple Cash activity, Leave Apple Cash Family, Apple Cash and person to person payments limits)

• Go here - iTunes - Official Apple Support at the bottom select "get support" and then choose Apple ID. Next choose from the list of options. If you do not see the exact option select the one that is the closest match.

• Apple Pay is supported in the following regions - Countries and regions that support Apple Pay - Apple Support and none of the users of this website know when Apple Pay will become available in regions or countries that are not currently supported.
• Apple Cash and Apple Card are only available in the USA and none of the users of this website know when or if it will expand outside of the USA. (Apple Cash - https://applecash.greendot.com/termsconditions/, Apple Card - How to apply for Apple Card - Apple Support)

• To set up Apple Pay you must be at least 13 years of age to use Apple Pay (Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support see note 2).
• If your Apple ID was created before you were 13 and you are unable to sign up for Apple Pay try signing out of your Apple ID and back in.
• To set up Apple Cash you must be at least 18 years of age (https://applecash.greendot.com/termsconditions/)
• You can set up Apple Cash Family Set up and use Apple Cash Family - Apple Support
• To apply for Apple Card you must be at least 18 years of age (How to apply for Apple Card - Apple Support)

• Only Arizona and Maryland offer the ability to add your drivers license (https://learn.wallet.apple/id)

1. Activate any new card you are trying to add to Wallet app.
2. Make sure your card is not expired.

Perform all of these steps before attempting to add card to Wallet to save time.

1. Start by checking the region on your device to ensure it is correct (Settings>general>language & region - set to your region). If it is correct, you may need to select the same region again.
2. Check your Apple ID region to make sure it is correct. If it is correct, you may need to select the same region again. (Change your Apple ID country or region - Apple Support)
3. You need to be in a region that supports Apple Pay - Countries and regions that support Apple Pay - Apple Support
4. Turn off your device and turn it back on.
5. Your bank needs to support Apple Pay - Apple Pay participating banks - Apple Support
6. Force reboot your device (Force reboot device - Apple Support)
7. Sometimes if you sign out of your Apple ID and back in it resolves the problem.
8. Make sure you are using the latest iOS/macOS update.
9. Make sure that your date and time is correct under Settings > General > Date & Time.
10. Make sure that you are connected to a known-good network and are not connected to a VPN.
11. Make sure that push notifications are set up correctly: Use notifications on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
12. Make sure that your zip code is accurate under Settings > [your name] > Payment & Shipping.
13. A passcode is required to use the Wallet app. 
14. Go to settings>general>reset>and reset all settings.
15. If there are no error messages skip down to "Device procedures" below.

• If you get an error that your card is in the Wallet but does not appear go to icloud.com>sign in>go to account settings>select the device>remove Apple Pay from the device>Sign out of your Apple ID>restart the device>Sign back into Apple ID>set up Apple Pay again
• If you get an error that you already have the maximum amount of cards in wallet with less than 12-16 cards (iPhone 8 or later) 8 Cards (all models earlier than iPhone 8) signing out of your Apple ID and back in usually resolves this issue.
• If you are getting a message to contact the card issuer, call the bank or credit card company who issued you the card to make sure there are no restrictions on the card and have them reset the tokens/certificates/permissions as well.
• If you are getting a message that Apple Pay services are unavailable at this time, sign out of your Apple ID and back in.

1. Once all of that is completed go to these links - Adding credit or debit cards to Apple Pay - Apple Support, Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support
2. If none of these suggestions are able to resolve your issue you can go here for further assistance - If you can't add cards to Wallet for Apple Pay - Apple Support
3. Apple Pay support can be reached here - Apple Pay Customers

• Add, use, and share boarding passes, tickets, and other passes in Apple Wallet, please note that passes cannot be directly added within wallet, except for QR code enabled passes. For everything else, its done either through the associated app, an email, airdrop or a link in a website.
• If you need to change your default payment in Wallet or have other issues such as the inability to add passes you can go to these links which covers managing Wallet and wallet use.

• How to use Wallet on your iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support,
• Manage the cards that you use with Apple Pay - Apple Support
• Add an e-Money card in Apple Wallet to use with Apple Pay - Apple Support
• Set up a Suica or PASMO card in Apple Pay - Apple Support
• Add a Disney MagicMobile Pass to Apple Wallet on your iPhone - Apple Support
• Add a hotel room key to Apple Wallet on your iPhone
• Unlock your home, car, and hotel room with keys in Wallet on iPhone - Apple Support

• Although rare, adding payment cards to Macs can sometimes be an issue. If you are having trouble adding a card to your Mac - on the iPhone go to settings>Wallet & Apple Pay>allow payments on Mac. Your Mac must be signed into the same Apple ID as your iPhone. Your cards should already be added to your Mac if you are signed into both. If you still have issues you can sign out of your Apple ID and back in which usually resolves the issue. Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support
• To use Apple Card for online stores you need the entire card number. Once you use it once your keychain should remember the card number if you choose that option. To get the entire card number go to Wallet>Apple Card>tap the three dots in the circle>tap card information.
• If more troubleshooting needs to be done the following links could be helpful. (About Secure Boot, Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac, How to reset the SMC of your Mac)
• If you created a bootable clone of your device, and booted to it, and enabled FileVault, macOS (Big Sur) may move the Apple Pay authorization to that external drive and disable it on the internal one. The resolution may be to delete one card, which will then trigger a prompt about the disk authorization move, and ask you to reset Apple Pay. Reset Apple Pay, then re-enter the CCV's for all the cards and since you have not rebooted, the error may still be present. Reboot and the system should be fine. (information gathered from another thread update to Big Sur made Apple Pay stop wor… - Apple Community)
• If you are getting a message that "Apple Pay has been disabled because the security settings of this Mac were modified" - go to Software Update/Advanced and uncheck the recheck "Install system data files and security updates." to see if that resolves the issue.

Since we are all users here we cannot troubleshoot NFC issues. What you can do though is go to this link Contact Support and they can perform a hardware diagnostics while you chat with them or you can make an appointment at your nearest Apple Store Genius Bar for an evaluation.

PayPal cannot be used with Apple Pay but you can use it for a payment method for your Apple ID but you will have to verify each and every transaction. Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you see a transaction you do not recognize or have an issue with a transaction open Wallet>tap on the card used>tap on the transaction (photo 1)>tap on the amount (photo 2)>look for a report an issue link. (photo 3)

photo 1 - select the transaction

photo 2 - click the amount

photo 3 - click the link

• You cannot use gift cards to pay Apple Card
• You cannot use gift cards to add money to Apple Cash

If your Wallet app is frozen or blank you need to:

• Force close the app (How to force an app to close - Apple Support), 
• Sign out of your Apple ID
• Force reboot your device (Force reboot device - Apple Support)
• Sign back into your Apple ID

If double tapping the side button does not pull up Apple Pay:

• Check Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed > make sure there is nothing restricted.
• Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and make sure nothing is restricted.
• Reset the Watch
• Make sure you are using the latest watchOS update and iOS update
• Make sure your watch is set to mirror iPhone in the Watch app

Apple Platform Security - Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

Apple Pay & Privacy - Apple Pay & Privacy - Apple Support

Apple Pay Support - Apple Pay - Official Apple Support

Set Up Apple Pay - Set up Apple Pay - Apple Support

Use Apple Pay - Make purchases using Apple Pay - Apple Support

Set Up Apple Cash - Set up and use Apple Cash on iPhone (U.S. only) - Apple Support

Use Apple Cash - Send and receive money with Apple Pay - Apple Support

View Apple Cash Transactions - See your Apple Cash transactions - Apple Support

About Apple Cash & Privacy - Apple Cash and Apple Payments Inc. & Privacy - Apple Support

Why is my Apple Pay in Messages not working?

How do I get Apple Pay to work on Messages?