Apple Wallet Not Working | How to Fix

If your Apple Wallet is not working, the issue is likely on your device or with your bank. Here is a step-by-step guide to fixing it, starting with the most common solutions.

1. The “Quick” Fixes

• Restart Your iPhone: This fixes 80% of Wallet glitches. Turn your phone fully off and on again.

• Check Your Case: If you have a thick, rugged, or magnetic case, remove it and try again. It might be blocking the NFC signal.

• Update iOS: Apple Wallet often breaks if your iOS is outdated. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure you are on the latest version.

2. If “Double-Click to Pay” Isn’t Working

If you press the side button twice but your cards don’t pop up:

1. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.

2. Ensure “Double-Click Side Button” is toggled ON.

3. Check Button Speed: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Side Button. If the click speed is set to “Fastest,” try changing it to “Default” or “Slow”. You might be clicking too slowly for the phone to register it as a “double click.”

3. If a Card Says “Unavailable” or “Invalid”

• Check Region: Go to Settings > General > Language & Region. Ensure the region matches where your bank account is located.

• Re-Add the Card:

  1. Open Wallet, tap the card, tap the three dots (…), and select Card Details > Remove Card.

  2. Restart your phone.

  3. Add the card again.

• Verify Date & Time: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and ensure “Set Automatically” is ON. If your clock is out of sync, security certificates will fail.

4. “Could Not Add Card” Error

If you cannot add a card at all, it is usually a security mismatch:

• Passcode Required: You must have a Passcode or FaceID/TouchID enabled to use Apple Wallet.

• Sign Out/In: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. Restart your phone, then sign back in. This refreshes the connection between your device and Apple’s servers.

5. Check Your Connection

• VPN: If you are using a VPN, turn it off. Financial apps often block connections from VPNs to prevent fraud.

• NFC Chip: To test if your phone’s NFC chip is physically broken, try using it with a different NFC app (like scanning an Amiibo or a transit tag). If it reads nothing, your phone needs hardware repair.