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Can You Use An Apple Card Without An iPhone?

By: Author Jason Kendell

Can You Use An Apple Card Without An iPhone?

Released in 2019, the Apple Card is an Apple-branded Mastercard that you can use to make in-store and online purchases. It can also be linked to an Apple Pay account for contactless transactions. 

All kinds of purchases or transactions can be made using your Apple Card in the regions where Apple Pay is supported. You can also get a physical Apple Pay titanium credit card which can be used anywhere where Mastercard is accepted. 

But can you use an Apple Card without an iPhone? Is it possible to use an Apple Card with Android devices as well? 

Does an Apple Card only work with an iPhone?

An Apple Card doesn’t only work with an iPhone, it also works with other Apple devices such as iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs as well. You can apply for an Apple Card from any device or browser, but you must have an iPhone or an iPad with an active Apple ID to get it. 

If you don’t own an iPhone or iPad, you can’t get an Apple Card – although you can apply for a line of credit through Apple’s website, which can only be used to buy Apple products on the website or in their retail stores. 

An Apple Card  resides in the “Wallet” app and is used with an Apple device to make Apple Pay and Non-Apple Pay purchases. 

In stores or on websites that accept the Apple Pay payment method, you can directly pay with your Apple Card. For vendors that do not accept Apple Pay, you need to provide your Apple Card number and security code just like a regular credit card..

If you meet the requirements (see below), applying for an Apple Card will enable you to immediately start making digital payments using your Apple Card on your iPhone, even though the physical card will take some time to arrive.  The Apple Card requirements are: 

  • You must be a US citizen or resident having a genuine residential address (not just a P.O. box)
  • You must be 18 years or older
  • You must own an iPhone or an iPad with an active iCloud account
  • You must enable “two-factor authentication” on your Apple ID from your Apple device 

Both your virtual and physical Apple Card can be used to make online purchases from your iPhone, regardless of whether the store or website accepts Apple Pay or not. 

However, to purchase physically in a store that does not accept Apple Pay, you will need your physical Apple Card. 

An Apple Card doesn’t only work with an iPhone. It works with other Apple devices like iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs. You can apply for an Apple Card from any device or browser, but you must have an iPhone or an iPad with an active Apple ID to get it. 

To get an Apple Card, you must:

  • Be a US citizen or resident having a genuine residential address (not just a P.O. box)
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Own an iPhone or an iPad with an active iCloud account
  • Enable “two-factor authentication” on your Apple ID from your Apple device 

If you meet the above requirements, applying for an Apple Card will enable you to instantly start making digital payments through your Apple Card, even though the physical card may take some time to arrive. 

Apple Card is a credit card that resides in the “Wallet” app on your device. It is linked to Apple Pay but it also works as a traditional credit card and can be used for all your purchases. It comes in both virtual and physical versions.

You can use the virtual version for in-store purchases on an iPhone at stores that accept Apple Pay. You can use it for online purchases on Apple Watch, ‌iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

For purchases that can’t be made with ‌Apple Pay‌, you can use the physical version of the Apple Card. This card is an Apple-branded Mastercard, so it can also be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

If you don’t have an iPhone or iPad, instead of an Apple Card you can get a line of credit to be used only in the Apple Store.

How to add your Apple Card to your iPhone?

You can add an Apple Card to your iPhone directly from the “Wallet” app. Here’s how:

  1. Open the “Wallet” app on your iPhone 
  2. Tap on the “+” button at the top right corner
  3. Tap “Add Card” 
  4. Follow the prompts to select “Apple Card”
  5. Enter the card details to add the Apple Card

Can you use an Apple Card on an iPad?

Can you use an Apple Card on an iPad?

An Apple Card can be used on an iPad to make a purchase and view your Apple Card information.

On an iPad, you can apply for an Apple Card and add it to your “Wallet” app. Here’s how: 

  1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPad > Scroll down and tap “Wallet & Apple Pay” 
  2. Tap “Add Card” > Tap “Add Credit or Debit Card” if you already have an Apple Card and want to add your card details
  3. If you don’t have an Apple Card, choose “Apply for Apple Card” 
  4. Enter the required information like your first and last name, address, etc
  5. Submit the application after agreeing to the terms and conditions
  6. Review the Apple Card terms including the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) & credit limit and accept the offer of the Apple Card
  7. You are now able to use your Apple Card for digital purchases. You can also obtain a physical Apple Card to use in places where Apple Pay does not work

To make an online purchase on an iPad, you need to use your Apple Card details (your virtual card and CVV number). You can find these card details in the settings of your iPad or iPhone. Here’s how:

  1. Open “Settings” > Tap “Wallet & Apple Pay”
  2. Tap “Apple Card” > Tap “Card Number”
  3. You can see the card information required for making an online purchase

If you are in a retail store, restaurant, shopping center, or anywhere else, you can use your physical Apple Card to make a purchase. 

Note that your physical Apple Card number at the back of your card is different from your virtual Apple Card number that can be found in the “Wallet & Apple Pay” settings.

Can you use an Apple Card on a Mac?

You can use your Apple Card to make online purchases directly from your Mac. You need to first add your Apple Card to your Mac. Here’s how:

  1. Go to “System Preferences” on your Mac > Click “Wallet & Apple Pay”
  2. Click “Add Card” or the “+” button then select “Apple Card” (if you are signed out of your Apple ID, you will be required to sign in)
  3. Click “Next” and follow the instructions to add your Apple Card

Note that while making a purchase on a Mac, you will be required to use your touch ID. 

If your Mac model comes without a built-in touch ID, you can use your iPhone to enable the “Allow Payments on Mac” feature to complete purchases. Here’s how:

  1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone > Tap “Wallet & Apple Pay”
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and toggle on “Allow Payments on Mac”

How do I use my Apple Card online?

To use your Apple Card online, make sure it is added to the Apple device you are making the purchase from. See earlier sections “How to add your Apple Card to your iPhone”,  “Can you use Apple Card on iPad”, and “Can you use Apple Card on Mac”. 

After adding your Apple Card to your Apple device, you can make online purchases in two ways: 

  1. Using Apple Pay 
  2. Without Apple Pay

Using Apple Pay

You can use your Apple Card to shop online from stores or websites that support Apple Pay. Here’s how: 

  1. When checking out from an online store or website, select “Apple Pay” from the payment methods
  2. Select your Apple Card to make a purchase. Your Apple Card will be automatically selected if you have made it your default card in the “Wallet” app
  3. To verify the payment and complete the purchase:
    1. If using an iPhone with Face ID, tap twice on your iPhone’s lock button
    2. If using an iPhone with Touch ID, keep your finger on the home button for a couple of seconds 
    3. If using an Apple Watch, double-click the side button 
    4. If using a Mac with Touch ID, place your finger on Touch ID
    5. If using Mac without Touch ID, enable the “Payments on Mac” feature on your iPhone and confirm your payment via iPhone

Visit the section “Can you use Apple Card on Mac” to know how to turn on the “Payments on Mac” feature.

Without Apple Pay

If a store does not support the Apple Pay payment method, you can still pay with your Apple Card as follows:

  1. Go to “Settings” on your Apple device in which you have added your Apple Card. On a Mac, go to “System Preferences”
  2. Tap “Wallet & Apple Pay” > Select your Apple Card
  3. You can see details like your Apple Card’s number and security code
  4. Enter these details on the online store you are purchasing from
  5. For an online purchase, you alternatively also use your physical titanium Apple card details that you can find at the back of the card

Can you use an Apple Card on an Android?

You can’t use an Apple Card on an Android device as it is designed for Apple devices only. 

When you get a digital Apple Card, it needs a place to reside in. On Apple devices, it resides in the “Wallet” app. 

Apple’s “Wallet” app isn’t available on Android devices, making it impossible to use an Apple Card on Android. Adding an Apple Card to other ”Wallet” apps like Samsung or Google Wallet isn’t possible either. 

That said, if you don’t have an iPhone or iPad, you can still apply for an Apple line of credit for your Android.

You will need an iCloud account to get an Apple line of credit. If you don’t have an iCloud account, sign up for one on appleid.apple.com. 

The Apple line of credit can only be used for purchasing Apple products online through apple.com or in their retail stores.  

How do I manage my Apple Card without an iPhone?

As mentioned in previous sections, you need an iPhone or iPad to get an Apple Card. 

However, if you have an Apple Card but do not have your iPhone around, you can use other Apple devices like your Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch and manage your Apple Card by visiting the Apple Card website. 

On this website, you can make payments, manage your balance, see your statements and more.