How to Fix Apple Pay Not Working on iOS 15

Is your Apple Pay not working on iOS 15? 

With Apple Pay, it’s easy for iPhone users to pay for apps and even make digital payments at physical stores through the wallet app or an NFC scan. Unfortunately, some users reported issues with the service after they updated their phones to iOS 15. 

Apple Pay is highly secure, so it has several background services that verify and preserve your identity as you make digital payments. However, after an iOS update, these services might face some issues due to older caches and security tokens. 

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to resolve this issue. We’ve listed them here, along with easy-to-follow instructions. Here’s how to fix an Apple Pay that’s not working on iOS 15.

Let’s jump right in!

1. Check If Apple Pay Is Down.

Before you reset any Apple ID or security settings, check if Apple Pay is down. Most digital payment apps work via powerful servers and Cloud. In rare instances, the servers of the web background services that Apple Pay use momentarily crash.

Apple server status

Visit the official Apple System Status page to check if Apple Pay is working and online. If it’s working, you’ll see a green dot beside Apple Pay. Otherwise, it’s unavailable.

2. Force Restart Your iPhone to Fix Apple Pay That’s Not Working on iOS 15. 

A hard restart is another way to fix your unresponsive Apple Pay. It helps your iPhone clear old caches and retrieves new security tokens for the password manager, security apps, and, of course, Apple Pay. Check out our guide on how to force restart your iPhone and follow the steps unique to your device model. 

restart iPhone

Once your device is back on, make a dummy payment using Apple Pay to test it. If it still doesn’t work, we have a few more potential solutions for you below. 

3. Re-Add Cards or Bank Accounts.

If Apple Pay is up and running worldwide, then the problem could be on your account. One fix you can do is remove and then re-add your card details or bank accounts on the app. It might help Apple Pay recognize your digital payment methods again. 

Here’s how to perform this fix:

  1. First, go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Select Wallet and Apple Pay.
Apple Pay not working on iOS 15
  1. Tap the payment method or bank account you want to remove. Then, scroll down and hit the Remove This Card button.
  2. Enter your passcode to confirm the action.
  3. Now, restart your phone.
  4. Once your phone is back on, open the Wallet app. 
  5. Tap the + button on the upper-right corner of the screen to re-add your card or bank account. When prompted, enter your Apple ID login credentials.
  6. Now, use the app to scan the card. Alternatively, you can enter the bank or card details manually.
  7. The card issuer verifies whether your card is eligible to use for Apple Pay. Follow any on-screen instructions from your bank to link your account to Apple Pay. 
  8. Once you’ve done all that, try to use your Apple Pay again and see if it works now.

4. Re-Sign into Your Apple ID to Fix Apple Pay That’s Not Working on iOS 15. 

After the iOS 15 update, you might have to re-confirm your Apple ID account to make some apps work again. If you’re still facing issues with Apple Pay at this point, try to sign out and back into your Apple ID on your iPhone.

Here’s how to do it: 

  1. First, navigate your way to your iPhone’s Settings
  2. Tap your name or profile at the top of the screen.
  3. On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom and tap the Sign Out button. 
Apple Pay not working on iOS 15
  1. Enter your Apple ID password and then, tap the Turn Off button.
  2. Tap Sign Out.
  3. Hit the Sign Out button again to confirm your choice.
  4. Restart your iPhone. 
  5. Lastly, once the device is back on, go to the Settings app and log in to your Apple ID again.

Now, see if your Apple Pay works as intended. If not, check out the other fixes below.

5. Check Face ID or Touch ID Settings.

As mentioned, Apple Pay is a highly encrypted app. If your iPhone uses Touch ID or Face ID, it helps verify your identity when using Apple Pay. Ensure that your Face IDs and fingerprints are set up correctly so that Apple Pay can work properly on iOS 15. 

Face ID & Passcode settings

During the pandemic, unlocking your iPhone with a face mask on is a huge help. That’s especially true if you need to use Apple Pay and make digital payments in person. Check out our Saintlad guide on how to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask.

6. Reset All Settings to Fix Apple Pay That’s Not Working on iOS 15. 

If nothing has worked yet, try resetting all your iPhone settings. The culprit could be mismatched settings caused by a bug during the iOS 15 update, so resetting all settings can resolve the issue. This fix can lead to security tokens functioning again as Apple Pay’s background services work on new caches.

Keep in mind that this solution involves restoring all your settings to their defaults. These settings include Apple Pay cards, network settings, location settings, and more. No data or media are deleted, but any customized phone settings will be removed. 

Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone:

  1. Start by opening Settings.
  2. Then, select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  3. Now, tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings from the options.
reset all settings on iPhone
  1. Lastly, enter your passcode to confirm the action. 

Once you’ve done all that, your phone will automatically restart. You should be able to use your Apple Pay again at this point.

7. Select a Card Manually for Digital Payments in Person.

If you’ve figured out that Apple Pay is not working right as you are paying at a physical store with no cash on hand, you need a quick fix. One workaround is to select a debit or credit card manually.

This will not return the regular functionalities of Apple Pay, but it should get you out of a sticky situation. Just perform the other fixes we’ve mentioned above as soon as you can.

Here’s how to select a card manually on Apple Pay:

  1. First, go to the Wallet app.
  2. Select the card you want to use.
  3. Then, hold your iPhone near the payment reader.
  4. When prompted, verify your identity using Face ID or Touch ID.
Apple Pay not working on iOS 15

That wraps up the guide. Let us know which fix has worked for you. And if you experience more issues after you update your phone to iOS 15, leave a comment below. Our team is always happy to create more tech guides for iPhone users like you.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • Mako Young

    Mako is a staff writer at Saint. He's been writing about tech for more than a decade. When he isn't reading about the latest news on Apple, he's busy studying cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, and other IT-related sectors. His exceptional work graces technology and Apple-related blogs like How-To Geek, VEED.io, Macgasm, onMac, PhotoWorkout, GameRant, and many more. He also has a Bachelors in Computer Science and has been writing since 2018, with over 400 posts published. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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