Can't Remove Payment Method on Apple Device? Try the 8 Fixes

I can't delete my one payment method on Apple ID? I try to remove it but doesn't let me? I have one payment saved payment method! And I want to remove it but it won't let me remove or won't let me add a new payment method?

—— Kristiangallares from Apple Support Community

When it comes to buying things online, be it in-app purchases or a new Spotify subscription, Apple Pay has been leading the way for fast digital transactions. But, what do you do if you can't remove the payment method on Apple?

Perhaps you're trying to add a new card, and the default one won't budge. Or, you've given your child a tablet linked to your account, and you want to avoid any accidental purchases. In this guide, you will learn why you're not able to remove a payment method from your Apple device and explore different ways to fix the issue.

Why You Can't Remove Payment Method on iPhone

If you're having trouble removing a payment method from your iPhone or other Apple device, there could be a few reasons for it. Let's break it down:

Ongoing Subscriptions

If you've got an ongoing subscription linked to that payment method, you'll need to cancel the subscription first, and then you can remove the payment method.

Family Sharing Setting  

If you're part of Family Sharing and someone in your family is using the same payment method, you can't remove it. Ask that family member to switch to a different payment method.

Unpaid Balance

If there's any remaining unpaid balance in your Apple ID account, you won't be able to remove the payment method. Spend or use up the balance first.

Other Reasons

Ensure your iPhone has the latest iOS version. Sometimes, outdated software can cause problems with managing payment methods. Update your iPhone and then try removing the payment method again.

However, sometimes the issue may be much more than this. We'll move to look into the methods to fix the unable to remove your payment method issue.

How to Fix Can't Remove Payment Method on Apple Issue

Check You Unpaid Balance

The first thing you need to do is check your unpaid account balance. Apple doesn't allow you to remove the payment method in this case so that you pay your remaining dues and don't cheat your way out of it. Here's what to do:

1. Open your iPhone settings.
2. Tap on your name.
3. In the Account Settings, tap "Subscriptions."
4. Look through the list for any item with an unpaid balance; that's what you need to pay before changing your payment info.
5. Once you've paid off the balance, wait for 2-3 working days. After that, you can update your payment information.

Cancel Any Active Subscriptions

Another issue arises if you have an active subscription on your Apple ID and no alternate payment method in place to pay for it.

Unless you cancel the active subscription or give an alternative payment source, you won't be able to remove the payment method. Here's how to cancel an active subscription:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on your name.
2. Look for "Subscriptions" and tap on it. This will show you a list of your active subscriptions.
3. If you want to end a subscription, simply tap on "Cancel Subscription."

Turn Off Purchase Sharing

If you are a family organizer with purchase sharing enabled for your family members, you must keep at least one payment method on file and cannot remove it from your Apple ID. To do so, turn off purchase sharing first.

When you turn off purchase sharing, you won't be sharing your purchases anymore, and you won't have access to what your family members buy. Keep in mind that you can still share subscriptions like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade, but everyone needs to use their own payment method for individual purchases.

To turn off purchase sharing, follow these steps:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings.
2. Tap Family. If you don't see Family, tap on your name, then Family Sharing.
3. Find and open your Purchase Sharing settings.
4. Turn off purchase sharing by tapping 'Stop Purchase Sharing.'

Consider Adding a New Payment Method First

Another thing that you can do is consider adding a new payment method, then deleting the old one. Here's how you can do this:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap on your name.
3. Look for "Payment & Shipping." If prompted, enter your Apple ID password.
4. Tap on "Add Payment Method," enter the new details, and then tap "Done."
5. Then tap "Edit" to delete the old payment method.
6. Find it from the list and tap the red delete button next to it. Confirm by tapping "Delete."

Update Payment Method from Website

If you still fail to remove the payment method from your device after trying the above methods, consider changing your credit card details through this link instead: https://appleid.apple.com/.

1. Log into the appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID.
2. Tap on Payment Methods from your account settings.
3. If you want to update the payment method, tap on "Manage payment method." enter the new details, and then tap "Update."
4. If you there are multiple methods, find the one that you want to delete and tap the red delete button next to it. Confirm by tapping "Delete."

Just make sure you have a secure and active internet connection, along with access to your credit card details on hand.

Change Country/Region in Apple Store

If you have traveled to a new country and your payment method isn't supported there, you may be unable to edit the payment method as well.

In this situation, you need to update your device to the new country and region you're in so that it is up to date with your location information.

Just follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Tap on your name, and then select "Media & Purchases."
3. Tap on "View Account." You might need to sign in.
4. Look for "Country/Region" and tap on it.
5. Choose "Change Country or Region."
6. Pick your new country or region and take a moment to read through the Terms & Conditions.
7. Tap "Agree" in the upper-right corner, and then tap "Agree" again to confirm.

Log Out of your Apple ID and Then Log Back In

Try to sign out of your Apple ID and then sign back in if you are still unable to remove the payment method on your iPhone, even after trying all the mentioned above.

To do this, navigate to the Settings app, select your profile, scroll down, and tap on "Sign Out." Follow the provided instructions to complete the process.

Contact Apple Support

When all else fails, you always have the option of contacting Apple Support. Sometimes, it's the best option when you've tried everything else. You can either look for assistance on Apple's online platforms, like their customer support or take your device to the nearest Apple Store. Either way, they're sure to find a solution for your issue.

If the payment method and Apple ID of the device are in your name, you should consider taking proof of identification with you. If it belongs to someone else, then you should take them along or bring proof of purchase/ownership to avoid any issues.

To Conclude

That's all there was to find out why you can't remove your payment method on your Apple device and what to do about it. It's important to understand that any restrictions that Apple may have had were in place solely to protect against theft or card fraud.

If you follow the steps mentioned in the different solutions above, you're bound to find something that makes the problem go away.

However, if you feel like the payment method is under threat of being shut down or locked, consider asking Apple Support for help. It's a safer method than going on your own and trying things you're unsure about.