Personal Finance

PayPal Apple Pay - Can I use it?

Wise
22.05.20 (updated more than 1 year ago)
Read time 2 minutes

Apple’s digital wallet - Apple Pay¹ - is a handy way to make purchases in person and online. Unfortunately at the moment, you can’t use Apple Pay and PayPal together - although you can link your Apple ID to PayPal for some in app purchases. This guide will tell you how.

We’ll also take a look at the Wise multi-currency Mastercard as an alternative to use with your Apple Pay account, to cut costs and spend conveniently. It could end up being a cheap option for spending abroad.

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We'll cover:

Apple Pay and PayPal - the basics

As we have noted, you can’t use your PayPal account with Apple Pay. That means you can’t use PayPal to fund contactless purchases on the iPhone or Apple Watch. It’s also worth noting that you can’t use a PayPal Cash Card with Apple Pay.²

It is, however, possible to add PayPal to your Apple ID to make in app purchases. That means you can use PayPal to buy from the App Store, Apple Books or iTunes, or to buy Apple iCloud storage.

Try Wise instead

You can’t link your PayPal account or card to Apple Pay. But you can access simple, low cost payments using Apple Pay, if you use a Wise multi-currency account and Mastercard instead. If you’re spending overseas, or shopping online with retailers based abroad, this may also save you money compared to PayPal.

Get a Wise multi-currency account online to hold dozens of currencies and access currency conversion at the mid-market rate. Simply switch to the currency you need for a low, upfront charge, and you can spend using the card, with no additional foreign transaction fees. Link to Apple Pay for convenience, and you’re all set.

Spend online without a foreign transaction fee using the Wise Mastercard

See if you can save

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How to add PayPal to your Apple ID

You can use PayPal for purchases using Apple ID. Here’s how to link your PayPal account and Apple ID.⁴

On an iPhone or iPad:

  1. Click Settings followed by your name
  2. Select iTunes & App Store
  3. Choose Apple ID, then View Apple ID
  4. Tap Payment Information, select PayPal and add the required information

On Mac and PC:

  1. Open iTunes and hit Account at the top of the screen
  2. Select View My Account
  3. Add your Apple ID password, then hit Edit, to the right of Payment Type
  4. Choose PayPal and click Done in the bottom right corner

On the web:

  1. Log into the Apple website⁵ and select Payments & Shipping
  2. Click Edit, Select Payment Method and then PayPal
  3. Hit Save and you’re done

So there you have it. You can’t use PayPal with Apple Pay - but you can make a limited number of purchases by linking PayPal to your Apple ID. For Apple Pay, why not link to a Wise multi-currency account and Mastercard instead, to save money when you shop.

Sources:

  1. Apple - Apple Pay
  2. PayPal Support Center Can I add my PayPal Cashback Mastercard or PayPal Extras Mastercard to Apple Pay?
  3. Apple Support Center Payment methods that you can use with your Apple ID
  4. 9to5mac How to use PayPal for your Apple ID payment method
  5. Apple - AppleID

All sources checked on 19 May 2020

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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