Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, add an eligible card in Wallet on the Watch or in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then double-click the Watch side button and hold its display near a contactless reader. To add a card to Apple Wallet on Apple Watch, open Wallet on the Watch and choose Add Card, or use My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card in the iPhone app. Issuer, card, transit-system, device, software, and regional support vary, so check that your card or pass works where you plan to use it.
How do I add a card to Apple Wallet on Apple Watch?
You can add a payment card from the Watch itself or from its paired iPhone. Your card issuer may ask you to verify the card before it can be used.
- On Apple Watch: Open Wallet, tap the more-options control, choose Add Card, select a category, and follow the prompts.
- On iPhone: Open the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch, choose Wallet & Apple Pay, then Add Card and follow the prompts.
- Complete issuer verification: Depending on the issuer, this may involve a text message, security questions, or confirmation in the issuer’s app.
Some items in iPhone Wallet may also be available on Apple Watch, but not every card or pass transfers or is eligible. To change the default payment card, reorder your cards so the preferred card is at the top of the stack.
How do I use Apple Pay on my Apple Watch in a store?
- Double-click the Watch side button.
- If needed, scroll to choose the card you want to use.
- Hold the Watch display near the contactless reader and wait for the Watch’s confirmation.
The merchant must accept Apple Pay and your particular card and payment network. Apple says your actual card number is not shared with merchants and each transaction uses a unique security code. This describes Apple’s stated payment-card handling.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Regular payments and Express Mode
A normal store payment and an Express Mode tap are different workflows. Regular purchases require you to double-click the side button and may require selecting a card. Express Mode is available only for compatible cards, passes, or keys and can let you use an item without waking or unlocking the Watch. Availability and selection limits depend on the item and location.
| Workflow | What you do | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Apple Pay purchase | Double-click the side button, choose a card if needed, then hold the Watch near the reader. | The merchant must accept Apple Pay and your card and network. |
| Express Mode | Present a compatible card, pass, or key as directed; a button press or unlocking may not be needed. | Only supported items and locations work; check the item’s settings and local acceptance. |
Apple describes Express Mode as allowing a compatible card to be automatically selected when needed, such as a transit card at a metro station, without waking or unlocking Apple Watch. Do not assume every card or pass supports it.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
How to use tickets and passes in Wallet
The way you present a pass depends on whether it uses a barcode, QR code, or contactless reader. Some items may offer Express Mode, Automatic Selection, or a Smart Stack suggestion.
- Barcode or QR pass: Open Wallet, select the pass, scroll until its code is visible, and show it to the scanner.
- Contactless pass: Double-click the side button, choose the card or pass if needed, and hold the Watch near the reader until it vibrates.
Not every item is supported on Apple Watch. If a pass does not appear, check with its issuer or provider rather than assuming it will transfer from iPhone.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
How to use Apple Watch for transit
Transit options depend on the agency, card, location, device, and software. Some systems accept an eligible payment card; others use an agency transit card, and certain cards must be added through a partner app. Confirm the local system’s current fare and acceptance rules with the transit agency.
- Check that your transit agency and the card you intend to use support Apple Pay transit in your location.
- To add a transit card, open Wallet on Apple Watch, choose Add Card, select Transit Card, choose a listed card, and follow the prompts. Some cards use a partner app instead.
- For a supported card, configure Express Mode in the iPhone Apple Watch app under My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay > Express Transit Card, then authenticate on the Watch.
- At the gate or reader, follow the transit system’s instructions and present the supported card or payment method.
Apple’s stated requirements include a compatible device, the latest iOS and watchOS, an Apple Account signed in to iCloud, and being somewhere that supports Apple Pay transit. Support and setup can vary by region and transit system.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
| Transit option | May suit you when | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Agency transit card | Your transit system offers a supported card for Wallet. | Whether it is available in your location, how to add it, and which fares it covers. |
| Payment card | Your local system accepts contactless payment cards for transit. | Whether your card and network are accepted and what fare rules apply. |
Apple Pay in apps and on websites
Apple describes Apple Pay use in supported apps and websites. Choose the Apple Pay button, review the payment details, and double-click the Watch side button to complete the purchase. The option appears only where the app or website supports Apple Pay.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can I add a payment card directly on Apple Watch?
Yes. Open Wallet on Apple Watch, tap the more-options control, choose Add Card, and follow the prompts. You can also add a card through the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Your issuer may require verification.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Why can’t I use a card or pass that is on my iPhone?
Not every iPhone Wallet item is eligible for Apple Watch. Support can depend on the issuer or pass provider, the item, your device and software, and your location. Check with the issuer or provider if it is unavailable.
Do I have to double-click the side button for every tap?
For a regular in-store Apple Pay purchase, double-click the side button. Compatible items configured for Express Mode may be presented without waking or unlocking the Watch. Express Mode support varies by item and location.
Will Apple Pay work on every transit system?
No. Transit support depends on the agency, card, location, device, and software. Check the transit agency’s current payment options and fare rules; some transit cards are added through partner apps.
What payment information does a merchant receive?
Apple says merchants are not given your actual card number and each transaction uses a unique security code. This is Apple’s description of its payment-card handling.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
