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Apple Card for iPhone: Available now, sign-up, credit rewards

Everything you need to know about the Apple's new payment card.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
7 min read

Apple Card is a bold effort to disrupt mobile payments.

Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Apple Card is available to everyone now. Here's how you can apply for Apple Card today. Taking on its own credit card, rather than piggybacking on your bank card, is a bold move for Apple that no other media giant has sought, even  Google  and  Samsung , two companies that also have robust mobile payment systems may not follow Apple's footsteps.  

Backed by  Mastercard  and Goldman Sachs, Apple's brand-new credit card lets you pay for goods and services online and in stores. Apple Card is different from Apple Pay but builds on that feature, it's a mobile payment system based on your existing credit card that Apple has had in place since 2014.

Read: Apple Card vs. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa  

You're brimming with questions, and so are we. Will a digital Apple Credit card finally make mobile payments ubiquitous? What kinds of perks will owners be able to get? How will it affect their credit if they switch phones ? Unfortunately, we don't have all the information yet, but Apple will release more before the Apple Card's official launch.

Here's everything we know about Apple Card so far, including the fine print.

A closer look at the Apple Card credit card

See all photos

What is Apple Card anyway?

Apple Card is a new branded credit card for iPhone users. It's both a digital card that lives on your iPhone, with a traditional credit card backup that you can use where Apple Pay isn't available. (It seems like everyone gets this when they sign up.) However, Apple believes you'll predominantly use the digital version.

The physical Apple Card is made out of titanium and has your name etched on it, for a little drama, and so you can show off by clinking it loudly against a glass. 

Can I use Apple Card with an Android phone?

No, Apple Card is for iPhone users only. You sign up for the credit card using your phone and make payments from the iPhone as well. All digital card transactions take place locally on your phone as well -- you won't be able to do any of these from a separate browser or app. 

What do I do if I lose my Apple Card?

If you lose your physical card, you can easily request a new one from Apple, while your virtual card remains in use. Find out more details in our guide on using your Apple Card.

If I lose my iPhone, can I still pay my bills?

Losing your iPhone is much more frightening than losing your titanium Apple Card, but you can still pay your bills while you search for your phone. Here are all the ways you can protect your Apple Card information if you lose your iPhone.

Where can I use Apple Card?

You'll be able to use Apple Card in apps, online (e.g., web stores) and in physical stores, anywhere in the world where MasterCard is accepted. (More on the banking aspect further below.)

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The titanium Apple Card in real life.

James Martin/CNET

How do I sign up for Apple Card?

Apple Card will live in the Wallet app on your iPhone, and you'll sign up for it by tapping on the Apple Card prompt within the Wallet. Here's how the Apple Card application process works. You can also sign up on Apple's site if you're interested in more details. Keep in mind that you'll need to receive an invitation from Apple before you can begin. Here are more details on how to sign up for Apple Card from your iPhone.

Do I have to wait for a credit check?

You do need to be a well-qualified customer, though Apple doesn't share details on what that means. Apple says that if you are approved, you'll be eligible to use your Apple Card within minutes.

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Spend your Apple Card Daily Cash rewards right from the Wallet app.

Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

Is Apple Card coming to other countries, too?

Apple Card is available in the US, but Goldman Sachs thinks Apple Card will roll out internationally. Apple might be using the US as a testbed before expanding into other countries. It's also possible that Apple is already negotiating with other banks and global institutions.

Which bank backs Apple Card?

Apple is working with Goldman Sachs as its bank to issue Apple Card, a Mastercard.

How will Apple Card help me track my finances?

If you've ever used a service like Mint or other financial apps before, you might be able to get a sense of Apple's vision with your finances. 

You'll be able to see visuals clearly depicting how much you spent on what, when it's due, and how much you owe. Apple also uses its Maps engine to link a purchase with a business, so it's clear what your payment goes toward (these things tend to be cryptic, like: "New York LLC" when you've taken a cab ride. Apple says it uses machine learning to connect the dots.

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Apple Card has all sorts of tracking charts in place.

Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

You'll also be able to see how much you've spent so far in a given week or month, and track purchases by category, like meals and transportation. There's a view to show how long will it take for you to pay back what you owe. 

What if I need help using my Apple Card?

Apple says if you run into trouble, you can send a text straight from the app.

What are Apple Card rewards like? 

Apple doesn't opt for a points structure. It gives you cash back on every dollar you spend, through a program called Daily Cash. 

Here's how much you get when you make a purchase:

  • 1% when you use the titanium Apple Card (physical card) 
  • 2% when you use the Apple Card (digital) on any purchase
  • 3% when you use the Apple Card (digital) on purchases you make directly from Apple

There's no cap to daily earning...as long as you're within your credit limit. For example, if your spending can't exceed $3,000, then your earnings can't either. You'll be able to keep track of your Daily Cash through a card in your Wallet app. 

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You can use Apple Card for mobile payments.

Apple

How does Apple Card compare to Chase Sapphire and Amazon Prime Rewards Visa?

We broke that down for you:

What's the difference between Apple Card, Apple Pay, and Apple Cash?

It's confusing, we know. We broke that down for you, too: Apple Card versus Apple Pay versus Apple Cash.

Is Daily Cash real cash? Where can I spend it?

Yes, this is real cash you can use right away. You can spend in stores, send to friends, use in apps or on the web, or use to pay down your balance.

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Spend Daily Cash like cash.

Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

What about paying interest rates and fees?

Apple Card will let you pay more often than once a month. For example, you can pay every week or every other week. It isn't clear if you can pay daily if you want or if there's more of a structure.

There are no late fees, annual fees, international fees or fees for going over your limit. But you will pay interest rates. Apple says that variable APRs will range from 13.24 percent to 24.24 percent "based on creditworthiness." Rates are susceptible to change.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Apple won't slap you with a penalty on top of your missed payment (e.g. it won't cost $25 in addition to what you already owe). However, you will accumulate more interest on top of your existing balance. More here.

Is Apple Card secure?

Apple highlighted four main ways it's keeping Apple Card secure.

  • The card number: Apple will create a unique card number for each device, which is stored in the Security Element, a security chip on your iPhone. You get a one-time dynamic security code each time you make a purchase, and authenticate each purchase biometrically, through either Touch ID or Face ID. Even if someone steals your phone, Apple says they can't use your Apple Card.
  • Device, not cloud: Apple doesn't track what you bought or where and how much you spent. All the tracking happens on the device, not on Apple's servers.
  • Your data isn't for sale: "Goldman Sachs will never share or sell your data for marketing or advertising," Apple's Bailey said.
  • An almost-blank physical card: If you're using the physical Apple Card, you'll notice that your name is on it, but there's no card number, no CVV, no expiration date and no signature. If you need the details, it's in the Wallet app. This is presumably so that others can't swipe these essential details for security fraud by either stealing a glance or stealing the entire card.

Is it bad that the physical Apple Card has no signature field?

Not necessarily. In late 2018, Mastercard became the first payment network to make signatures optional on cards and at payment terminals.

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This minimalist card doesn't have your signature on it.

Apple

If I lose my physical Apple Card, can I order a new one?

 Yes. If your card is lost or stolen, you can use the Wallet app to freeze your card and order a new one.

Does the physical Apple Card have a magnetic stripe?

Yes, and it also has a chip you can insert into a chip reader as well.

Will it work with my iPad and Apple Watch

Yes, Apple says you'll be able to make payments from all your iOS devices. We'll need to confirm if it will work with MacOS as well as the iPhone, iPad and Apple watch.