How to Pay with Apple Pay on an Apple Watch and Other Tips!

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We’ve covered the Apple Watch before as well as the more recent watchOS update. We’ve even given advice on which one to buy, comparing them to outsiders like the Garmin MARQ Commander.

But there are so many more ways to squeeze every inch of usefulness out of your Apple Watch. One of those is utilising their Near-Field Communication capabilities to enable Apple Pay.

So without any further ado, here is how you can pay with Apple Pay on an Apple Watch. 

Starting with the set-up…

Setting up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch

You can set up Apple Pay from your iPhone or directly from your Apple Watch. Here’s how to do both…

Set up Apple Pay directly from your Apple Watch: 

1. Open the Wallet app. 
2. Tap ‘Add Card’.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

How to set up Apple Pay on your Apple Watch using iPhone:

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
2. Tap ‘My Watch’.
3. Head over to ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’. 
4. Tap ‘Add Card’ Or ‘Add’ depending on whether you are adding a card already used on your iPhone.
5. Scan or manually enter your card details or use your iPhone’s camera to scan the card. 
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Once you’ve done this you might want to set up your default card…

Setting up/changing your default card on your Apple Pay using your Apple Watch

To use Apple Pay you have to set up a card, otherwise, well…what’s the point?

Here’s how to set up a default card on your Apple Watch:

To set or change your default card:

1. Open the Wallet app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap ‘Default Card’ and select your choice.
3. Reorder or remove cards

Extra Tip

You can even find the account number for a card using the Wallet app on your Apple Watch or the Apple Watch app on your iPhone to

And there you have it! Your Apple Watch is now equipped with Apple Pay, allowing you to make tap-and-go payments.

Making in-store purchases with Apple Pay on your Apple Watch

So now you’ve set up Apple Pay, here’s how to actually use it for in-store purchases…

How to make in-store payments using Apple Pay on an Apple Watch

1. Initiate Payment: Double-click the side button on your Apple Watch to bring up your default payment card. OR simply scroll to find your preferred card.
2. The Gesture: With your card selected, bring your Apple Watch close to the contactless reader. Ensure the display faces the reader at a few centimetres distance.
3. Confirmation: You’ll know your payment spell has worked when your Apple Watch beeps and you feel a gentle tap – look for the green check mark on the reader or your Apple Watch screen as a sign of a successful transaction

 In some places, you might need to enter a PIN or sign a receipt.

Remember, this only works where you see the Apple Pay or contactless payment symbols on the card reader in-store.

Using Apple Pay in apps and online (and how to disable it)

When it comes to using Apple Pay with your Apple Watch for online shopping or in-app purchases, the process is pretty easy. 

How to make in-app purchases using Apple Pay on your Apple Watch

1. Spot the Apple Pay option at checkout.
2. Review your payment info (are you happy with the default payment card?).
3. Double-click the side button on your Apple Watch to seal the deal 

How to online shop with Apple Watch and Mac

1. Ensure your Apple Watch and Mac are near each other, connected to Wi-Fi, and logged into iCloud with the same Apple ID.
2. At checkout on a website supporting Apple Pay, pick the Apple Pay option 12.
3. Review your payment, shipping, and billing info on your Mac. If it doesn’t automatically show up, choose a card from your Apple Watch to confirm the payment.

How to disable Apple Pay payments for Apple Watch on Mac

1. Dive into the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap ‘My Watch’ > ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’.
3. Toggle off ‘Allow Payments on Mac’.

Managing cards and transactions on Apple Watch

Managing your cards and transactions on your Apple Watch is akin to having a financial command centre right on your wrist. Here’s how to keep everything in check:

What to do if your Apple Watch that has Apple Pay is lost or stolen?

1. Immediately put your Apple Watch in Lost Mode via appleid.apple.com using your Apple ID.
2. Remove the ability to make payments using your credit and debit cards in Wallet.
3. Call your card issuers to inform them about the situation.

How to customize notifications & transaction history on Apple Watch

You can turn off notifications and history for individual cards by: 

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Select a card, and toggle Show History and Allow Notifications according to your preference 

Extra tips: 

1. You can even add Transit cards to your Apple Watch to make commuting easier. 
2. If you own an Apple Watch Ultra in the U.S. you can manage your Apple Cash too!

Did that help?

What’s the point of owning an Apple Watch if you don’t know how to use the more useful everyday features? 

Hopefully, the above blog helped bring you and your Apple Watch closer. Especially because now it can buy you things…

FAQs

Q: What are the steps to use Apple Pay on my Apple Watch?

A: To use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the display of your Apple Watch within a few centimetres of the contactless reader. Wait for a gentle tap to confirm that your payment was sent.

Q: Can you describe different methods for using Apple Pay?

A: Apple Pay can be used wherever contactless payments are accepted, such as vending machines, grocery stores, taxis, and subway stations. Additionally, you can use Apple Pay for online purchases in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Q: How do I make a payment using the tap-and-pay feature with Apple Pay?

A: To tap and pay with Apple Pay, bring your device near a contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID or use Face ID, and wait for the checkmark to appear, indicating your payment has been processed.

Q: What is the procedure for using Apple Pay for the very first time?

A: When using Apple Pay for the first time, add your credit, debit, or store card to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. To do this, you’ll need to open the Wallet app or the Apple Pay section in your device’s settings, follow the prompts to add a new card and verify it with your bank. Once your card is added, you can start using Apple Pay.