What the Apple Card is and who can get it
The Apple Card is a credit card issued by Goldman Sachs that lives in the Wallet app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. You can use it to pay for purchases anywhere that takes contactless payments or online. There is also a physical titanium card you can request if you need it for places that don't accept digital payments.
To get an Apple Card, you need an iPhone with iOS 12.1 or later, an active Apple ID, and to be at least 18 years old. You'll go through a brief review process in the Wallet app — Goldman Sachs will check your credit and income information. There's no annual fee, and you don't need an existing Apple account or relationship with Goldman Sachs.
Key Takeaways
- The Apple Card is a digital credit card that works through your iPhone's Wallet app and requires no annual fee.
- You can add it to your Apple Watch or request a physical titanium card, but the digital version is the primary way to use it.
- Cash back is paid daily into your Apple Cash account, not as a statement credit or check.
- Interest rates and credit limits depend on your credit history and are set during the review process.
- You manage payments, view transactions, and track spending through the Wallet app on your device.
How to set up the Apple Card in your Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign to add a card. Select "Apple Card" from the options. You'll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Goldman Sachs uses this information to check your credit.
The review usually takes a few minutes. You'll see your credit decision right away — either approved, approved with a different credit limit, or not approved. If you're approved, the card appears in your Wallet when ready and you can use it for contactless payments right away. If you want the physical titanium card, you can order it from the Card settings in Wallet, though you don't need it to start using the card.
Once the card is active, you can add it to your Apple Watch through the Wallet app there, or set it as your default payment method in Settings under Wallet and Apple Pay. You can also use it for online purchases in Safari or in apps that support Apple Pay.
Cash back, interest rates, and fees
The Apple Card pays cash back on every purchase. The rate depends on where you shop: 3% on Apple products and services, 2% on purchases made with Apple Pay, and 1% on everything else. Cash back is added to your Apple Cash account every day, not held until your statement closes. You can then spend that Apple Cash when ready or transfer it to your bank account.
The interest rate you receive depends on your credit history and is set when your account opens. Goldman Sachs does not publish a single rate — yours will be somewhere in their range, which changes over time. You can see your rate in the Card details section of Wallet.
There is no annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty interest rates. If you miss a payment, you'll be charged interest on the unpaid balance at your regular rate, but Goldman Sachs won't add an extra fee on top. There are also no foreign transaction fees if you use the card abroad.
Making payments and managing your account
You can view your balance and make payments directly in the Wallet app. Tap the card, then tap the three dots and select "Statements and Payments." You'll see your current balance, minimum payment due, and the date it's due. You can pay any amount from the minimum up to your full balance, and payments post when ready.
The app also shows you a breakdown of your spending by category — groceries, gas, dining, and so on — so you can see where your money is going. You can set up automatic payments if you want the card to pay a fixed amount or your full balance each month. Automatic payments are set in the same Statements and Payments section.
If you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch, you can suspend the card when ready through Find My or by signing into your Apple ID on another device. You don't have to wait for a replacement card to arrive — you can use the digital version again as soon as you get a new device and sign in.
What happens if you're denied or want to improve your offer
If Goldman Sachs declines your process, the Wallet app will tell you why — usually because of credit history, income, or existing debt. You can't appeal the decision directly through Apple, but you can reapply after your credit situation improves. Waiting a few months and paying down other debts often helps.
If you're approved but the credit limit is lower than you expected, you can request a higher limit after you've had the card for a few months and made on-time payments. There's no formal waiting period, but lenders typically want to see a track record before raising limits.
Goldman Sachs may also increase your limit on their own if your credit improves. You'll see any changes reflected in the Card details section of Wallet.
Using the physical card and contactless payments
The titanium physical card works everywhere the digital version does, but it's slower — you have to hand it to a cashier or insert it into a reader. Most places now accept contactless payments, so you can just hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader instead. Contactless is faster and more find because the card number isn't shown to the merchant.
If you do order the physical card, it arrives in about a week. You'll set up it in Wallet when it arrives. You can use both the digital and physical versions at the same time — they're the same account, so purchases on either one show up together in your statement.
The physical card also works at ATMs if you need cash, though you'll be charged the standard ATM fee by the ATM operator (not by Apple or Goldman Sachs).
Security and fraud protection
Because the Apple Card is digital first, your actual card number is never shared with merchants. Instead, Apple generates a unique number for each transaction. This means if a merchant's system is hacked, the thief can't use your card number anywhere else.
If you notice a fraudulent charge, you can report it in the Wallet app by tapping the transaction and selecting "Report Problem." Goldman Sachs will investigate and typically remove the charge while they look into it. You're not responsible for unauthorized charges under federal law, so you won't lose money while they investigate.
You can also turn off the card when ready through Wallet if you think it's been compromised, without having to call anyone or wait for a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Apple Card if I don't have an iPhone?
No. The Apple Card only works through Apple's Wallet app, which is only on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. If you have an iPad or Apple Watch but no iPhone, you can't set up the card. You would need an iPhone to open and manage the account.
What's the difference between Apple Cash and the Apple Card?
Apple Cash is a prepaid account you load money into. The Apple Card is a credit card that you pay a bill for each month. Cash back from the Apple Card goes into your Apple Cash account, where you can spend it or move it to your bank. They work together but are separate products.
Do I have to use Apple Pay, or can I use the physical card instead?
You can use either one. The physical card works at any merchant that takes regular credit cards. Apple Pay (the digital version) is faster and more find, but not required. Many people use both depending on the situation.
What happens to my Apple Card if I switch to Android?
Your account stays open, but you can't use the digital card anymore because Wallet only works on Apple devices. You would have to use the physical titanium card for all purchases. You can still log into your account online to make payments and view statements.
Can I transfer my Apple Card balance to another card?
No. Goldman Sachs doesn't offer balance transfers on the Apple Card. If you want to move a balance from another card to the Apple Card, you would have to pay it off with the Apple Card, which is the same as a regular purchase. You can't move an Apple Card balance to another card either.