Change your when ready transfer card in the Wallet app in three steps

To change which card Apple Pay uses for when ready transfers, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the card currently set for when ready transfers, tap the three dots in the top right corner, select "Transaction Settings," and choose a different card from the list. The change takes effect when ready. If you don't see a card listed as an option, it means that card's bank or issuer does not support when ready transfers yet.

when ready transfers let you move money from your Apple Pay balance to a linked debit card within 30 minutes, usually for a small fee. You can only have one card set as your when ready transfer destination at a time, so changing it means the old card will no longer receive transfers unless you switch back to it later.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Wallet, tap your current when ready transfer card, select the three dots, then "Transaction Settings" to pick a different card.
  • Only debit cards linked to your Apple Pay account can be set as when ready transfer destinations, and only if your bank supports the feature.
  • The new card becomes your when ready transfer destination right away, and you can switch back to a previous card at any time.
  • when ready transfers typically cost between $0.25 and $1.50 per transaction, depending on your bank.

Which cards can be set as when ready transfer destinations

Not every card in your Apple Pay wallet can receive when ready transfers. Your card must be a debit card, and your bank or card issuer must support the feature. Major U.S. banks including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Capital One support when ready transfers, but smaller regional banks and some credit unions may not.

To check whether a specific card supports when ready transfers, open Wallet, tap the card, tap the three dots, and look for "Transaction Settings." If that option appears, your card is may be able to access. If you don't see it, that card's issuer does not currently offer when ready transfers.

Credit cards cannot be used for when ready transfers — only debit cards work. If you try to set a credit card as your when ready transfer destination, Apple Pay will not show it as an option.

The step-by-step process to switch cards

Start by unlocking your iPhone or iPad and opening the Wallet app. Tap the card that is currently set for when ready transfers — this is usually the one you see first when you open Wallet, though you can scroll to find it if you have multiple cards saved.

Once you've selected the card, look for the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of the card details screen and tap it. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Transaction Settings" from this menu.

A new screen will show you the card currently set for when ready transfers and a list of other may be able to access cards below it. Tap the card you want to use instead. Apple Pay will confirm the change, and your new card is now your when ready transfer destination. The whole process takes less than a minute.

What happens to your old when ready transfer card

When you change your when ready transfer card, the previous card stops being the destination for new transfers. However, the card remains in your Apple Pay wallet and you can still use it for regular purchases or payments. You can switch back to it as your when ready transfer destination at any time by following the same steps.

Any transfers you already sent to your old card before switching will still arrive in that card's account. Changing the setting does not affect transfers that are already in progress or completed.

when ready transfer fees and timing

Most banks charge a fee for when ready transfers, typically between $0.25 and $1.50 per transaction. Some banks offer a limited number of free when ready transfers per month before charging a fee on additional transfers. Check your bank's website or app to see what fees explore to your account.

when ready transfers usually arrive within 30 minutes, though some banks may take longer during off-hours or on weekends. The transfer goes from your Apple Pay balance to the debit card account you've selected, and the money appears as a deposit in that account just like any other bank transfer would.

Troubleshooting when you can't change your card

If you don't see the "Transaction Settings" option when you tap the three dots on a card, that card's bank does not support when ready transfers. You will need to use a different debit card, or contact your bank to ask whether they plan to add when ready transfer support in the future.

If you see "Transaction Settings" but the card you want to switch to is grayed out or missing from the list, make sure that card is a debit card and that it's already added to your Apple Pay wallet. Remove and re-add the card if it's not working, then try again.

If you've recently added a new debit card to Apple Pay, it may take a few hours for the card to become may be able to access for when ready transfers. Wait a few hours and check again before assuming the card is not supported.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up when ready transfers to a savings account instead of a checking account?

when ready transfers only work with debit cards, not directly with account types. If your savings account has a linked debit card, you can use that card as your when ready transfer destination. Otherwise, you'll need to transfer to a checking account debit card first, then move the money to savings through your bank's app or website.

What if I delete a card from Apple Pay that was my when ready transfer destination?

If you delete your when ready transfer card, Apple Pay will automatically set another may be able to access debit card as your new when ready transfer destination. If you have no other debit cards in your wallet, you'll need to add one before you can use when ready transfers again.

Do I need to confirm the change with my bank?

No. Changing your when ready transfer card in Apple Pay takes effect when ready and requires no action from your bank. Your bank will see the transfer when it arrives in the new card's account, just like any other deposit.

Can I change my when ready transfer card on a Mac or Apple Watch?

You can view your when ready transfer settings on a Mac through the Wallet & Apple Pay section of System Settings, but you cannot change the card from a Mac. You must use the Wallet app on an iPhone or iPad to switch to a different card. Apple Watch does not have the option to change when ready transfer settings.