Apple Card: All the Details on Apple's Credit Card

[MacRumors]

The Apple Card is a credit card that's linked to Apple Pay and built right into the Wallet app. Apple partnered with Goldman Sachs for the card, which is optimized for Apple Pay but will still works like a traditional credit card for all of your transactions.

There's a lot of fine print associated with the Apple Card, so we've created this guide to provide details on what you can expect when signing up for the card. Apple Card has been available since 2019, and Apple is continuing to add new features. Apple says that more than 12 million people now use the Apple Card in the United States.

You'll find everything that you need to know about Apple Card below.

How do you get the Apple Card?

Signing up for Apple Card is as simple as opening up the Wallet app, tapping on the Apple Card interface, and walking through the activation steps. Much of the information you need is pulled from your Apple ID, which means Apple Card setup takes just a couple of minutes to set up. You can also apply on Apple's website when making a device purchase that uses the Monthly Installment Plan or through the Apple Card website.

Information required includes first and last name, date of birth, phone number, home address, country of citizenship, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your annual income. Some users may also be asked to scan their driver's license or state ID.

Once you've signed up for Apple Card, it will be available for use immediately for digital purchases. Availability is subject to credit approval, so you need to qualify for Apple Card just like you do with any other kind of credit card. While digital payments are available immediately, Apple will also ship out a physical Apple Card that can be used like a traditional credit card.

Who Qualifies for the Apple Card?

To get an Apple Card, you need to be 18 years or older and be a U.S. citizen or a lawful U.S. resident with a U.S. residential address (no P.O. Box). The Apple Card is not available outside of the United States, and there is no word on if or when it will expand to additional countries.

An iPhone running iOS 12.4 or later is required to use the Apple Card, and it will not be available if you do not have an iPhone. Two-factor authentication must be turned on, and you must be signed in to iCloud on your iPhone with your Apple ID.

Using Apple Card with Apple Pay

Apple Card is designed to work with any other credit or debit card stored in the Wallet app for use with Apple Pay. You can set it as the default card and use it for in store purchases on iPhone and online purchases on Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

• How to Use Apple Card
• How to Make Apple Card the Default Card on Your iPhone
• How to Make Apple Card the Default Card on Your Apple Watch
• How to Add Apple Card to Your Mac
• How to Make Apple Card the Default Card on Your Mac

Using Apple Card for Non-Apple Pay Purchases

If you need to pay for purchases that can't be made with Apple Pay, you can use the physical version of the Apple Card that Apple sends once you sign up. In addition to Goldman Sachs, Apple is partnering with Mastercard, so the physical Apple Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted.

When your physical card comes in the mail, setting it is simple. On a modern iPhone, all you need to do is hold your device near the envelope that it came in for an NFC scan and then tap the "Activate" button on your iPhone when it pops up.

On the iPhone X and earlier, you need to open up the Apple Card, open the Wallet app, tap the "Activate" button in the Wallet app and then hold your iPhone near the packaging that the Apple Card came in. Unlike traditional cards, you do not need to place a phone call for activation purposes.

The Titanium Apple Card

With Apple Card you can make digital Apple Pay payments, but Apple is also providing a physical card. Since this is a credit card designed by Apple, it is, of course, unique among credit cards.

It's made entirely from titanium, which is laser etched with your name. The front of the card does not have a card number or an expiration date listed, and on the back, there's no CVV and no signature. If someone finds or steals your card, there's no real way for them to use it, at least for online purchases.

There's still a traditional magstripe on the back, along with a built-in chip. While the card number and CVV are not on the card itself, you can find them in the Wallet app if you need them.

The physical Apple Card does not support contactless payments itself -- you need to use your iPhone for Apple Pay payments. There is no cost for the card and there is no fee associated with replacing it if you lose it.

The titanium Apple Card weighs in at 14.7 grams, which is heavier than the Chase Sapphire Preferred and lighter than the AMEX Platinum, both of which are also considered heavier weight cards... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Apple Card: All the Details on Apple's Credit Card

 

[cppguy]

The 3% cashback seems to be only for purchasing Apple products and services. It's 2% for Apple Pay (NFC) purchases, and 1% for using the chip on the card.

 

[first-to-tea]

The Apple Card is my favourite product launch since Apple Watch. If they drop the interest rate to a simple flat 10%, Apple will attract a whole new generation of customers. 13-24% is a ridiculous cash grab.

 

[AngerDanger]

The Titanium Apple Card

With Apple Card you can make digital Apple Pay payments, but Apple is also providing a physical card. Since this is a credit card designed by Apple, it is, of course, unique among credit cards.

It's made entirely from titanium, which is laser etched with your name. The front of the card does not have a card number or an expiration date listed, and on the back, there's no CVV and no signature. If someone finds or steals your card, there's going to be no real way for them to use it, at least for online purchases.

There's still a traditional magstripe on the back, along with a built-in chip for chip and pin purchases. While the card number and CVV are not on the card itself, you can find them in the Wallet app if you need them.

Apple has designed an incredibly thin titanium… credit card. This is like something I'd come up with!

Then I'd say something like, "Only the Apple Card is guaranteed to be the sharpest knife in your kitchen," and post a GIF I spent too much time on.

 

[fumi2014]

Apple getting into credit cards. I feel deeply uneasy about this but I don't know exactly why. I think it's an uncomfortable look for them but hey, it's yet another potential revenue stream and money is what matters - don't let Apple ever convince you of anything else - despite all the empty platitudes and virtue-signalling at their events. Also don't be fooled by the Apple privacy hype. Goldman Sachs are apparently being trusted with all the information.

The Verge:

"Similarly, Apple’s approach to data privacy differs from other credit card companies: Apple is banking on Goldman Sachs to secure users’ credit card data, which also means that Apple won’t be the one held responsible in the event of a breach. Again, Goldman Sachs declined to comment."

I don't think this is going to be anywhere near as exclusive as all the Apple fans would like. American Express and Chase Sapphire(among others) are where the (relative) exclusivity lies with ownership fees as much as $550 just to own the card for one year. This is more like a tier 2 card rather than 4 or 5.

In addition, metal cards are very much as USA/Canada thing. Europe not so much. Amex in the UK don't offer any cards in metal despite the sky-high ownership fees. I would not be surprised to see this launch in the UK as a plastic version. Hope I'm wrong as it will probably force Amex to up its game.

 

[IIGS User]

Hey, just re charge it with AirPower

 

[bbednarz]

I wonder if they’ll have an interest free financing option like Best Buy does. I typically make big purchases through Best Buy for this reason.

 

[yossi]

Should have made it 3% for all purchases and they would have taken the entire CC market.

 

[blacktape242]

those interest rates tho~! wow

 

[Kaibelf]

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... 13-24% APR.

Because Apple was always known as a budget buyer option? Either way, the interest rate is set by the Fed and the bank that ties their APR to that rate. There's not much (if anything) they can do. I'm curious about why people can't figure out that Apple is not a bank, and that yes, BORROWING MONEY (which is what a credit purchase is) draws interest. I get that these days people want everything for free, but now it seems they even want money for free despite risk.

 

[sir1963nz]

I pay less than 6% on my MasterCard , I pay no annual fees, no late fees.
I only put something on credit when its interest free AND I get a good deal. Last MBP I bought was during a sale and I got 10% off AND interest free for 36 months, bugger Apples deal, too expensive.

 

[slicktor]

They should tie this in with Apple Care. Like get some sort of warranty reward or extended coverage. Especially with longer life spans of phones, Apple Care + Just doesn't cut it if you plan on using your phone for 2+ years.

 

[Kaibelf]

those interest rates tho~! wow

Those are in line with other cards that are considered low rate. Discover is in the same range, but without the same buying network.

 

[bbednarz]

those interest rates tho~! wow

I could be off, but aren't these pretty standard interest rates across the board?

 

[moabal]

Wake me up when Apple offers real credit card rewards. I understand they are not initially targeting people who like to maximize rewards. Hopefully, their wide user base will get novice people to use this card. Then eventually, they can expand reward options. Otherwise, this card does not make sense for me.

 

[Bin Cook]

Complaining about the interest rates? This is a Cook release; you seriously didn't think he wouldn't want your children in exchange?

 

[alexandr]

that card looks slick af

 

[JPack]

So the Apple Card is just another credit card with 2% cash back.

It's nice to have in my wallet, but I'll stick to my cards with 3-4% cash back.

 

[Mykbibby]

I know this forum will just trash it because it’s not an updated Mac computer, but this really solves a lot of needs for me personally. I am incredibly excited to have my process of payment and tracking of spending be totally within the Apple ecosystem.

 

[alexandr]

rewards are lame tho

 

[Jeffgtx]

Source that it has a mag strip?

 

[DotCom2]

So is the deal with Barclay's 0% financing if paid within a certain time done with? Or is this a sep deal?

 

[fishbert]

I’m waiting to see how easy or difficult will it be to pull transactions into financial management software (like Quicken or Banktivity).

 

[Jim Higgins]

rewards are lame tho

Tim "Me Too" Cook's great innovative product innovation-another credit card. Another raging dud.

 

[weup togo]

Gruber was right to rake Apple over the coals for lying about these usurious interest rates. They're no lower than anyone else's.