Thinking about adding your debit card to your digital wallet? Too easy. Like most things smartphone related, digital wallets are designed to be intuitive. All you need to do is check your bank supports the digital wallet you want to use, then follow the prompts on your phone – or any other compatible device – to get started.

It’s also worth remembering that some banks allow you to link your debit card with your digital wallet via online banking or the bank’s app, so check that out as an option before you get started.

Using Apple Pay

Want to sync your debit card with Apple Pay? You have a few paths to follow, depending on whether you want to use your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

• • Your compatible device
• • Your debit card from a participating card issuer
• • The latest version of iOS, watchOS or macOS
• • An Apple ID signed in to iCloud

 

Note, if you want to use Apple Pay on more than one device, you will need to add your card to each device you want to use. After you set up Apple Pay on iPhone or Apple Watch, you can use your cards as you shop online in Safari on some Mac models, while signed in to iCloud.

You can add up to 12 cards on Apple Watch Series 3 and later, and iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus and later. On earlier models, you can add up to eight cards on each device.

How to add a card on your iPhone:

• • Go to Wallet and tap the add button.
• • Follow the steps to add a new card.
• • Tap Next. Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can use your card with Apple Pay. If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they’ll ask you for it. When you have the information, go back to Wallet and tap your card.
• • After your bank or issuer verifies your card, tap Next. Then start using Apple Pay.

 

How to add a card on your iPad:

• • Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
• • Tap Add Card.
• • Follow the steps to add a new card.
• • Tap Next. Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can use your card with Apple Pay. If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they’ll ask you for it. When you have the information, go back to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and tap your card.
• • After your bank or issuer verifies your card, tap Next. Then start using Apple Pay.

How to add a card on your Apple Watch:

• • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, and go to the My Watch tab. If you have multiple watches, choose one.
• • Tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
• • To add a new card, tap Add Card.
• • Tap Next. Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can use your card with Apple Pay. If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they’ll ask you for it. When you have the information, go back to Wallet & Apple Pay and tap your card.
• • After your bank or issuer verifies your card, tap Next. Then start using Apple Pay.

How to add a card on your Mac with Touch ID:

• • On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay.
• • Tap Add Card.
• • Follow the steps to add a new card.
• • Tap Next. Your bank or card issuer will verify your information and decide if you can add your card to Apple Pay. If your bank or issuer needs more information to verify your card, they’ll ask you for it. When you have the information, go back to System Preferences > Wallet & Apple Pay and tap your card.
• • After your bank or issuer verifies your card, tap Next. Then start using Apple Pay.

 

If you have trouble adding your debit card, check out the Apple Support page for troubleshooting ideas.

Using Google Pay

Prefer using Google Pay? Again, it’s a pretty simple set-up. On your Android Device:

1. Open the Google Pay app.
   – If you have multiple accounts in Google Pay, at the top left, tap Menu Down arrow . Then, tap the account you want to use to add a debit or credit card.
2. At the bottom, tap Payment.
3. At the bottom, tap Add Credit or debit card.
4. Use the camera to capture your card info or enter it manually.
5. If you’re asked to verify your payment method, choose an option from the list.
6. Find and enter the verification code.

 

It’s worth noting that after you add a card, you might find a small charge on your account from Google Pay. This charge basically checks that your card and account are valid. It won’t affect your balance.

Also be aware that, depending on your bank or debit card provider, you may have to be registered for some method of back-up security to use your debit card on Google Pay. As an example, Westpac requires cardholders to be registered for SMS Protect so that they can verify each card they add to Google Pay.

Using Samsung Pay

Alternatively, if you have a Samsung device and want to use Samsung Pay, here’s what you need to do to add your debit card to your Samsung Pay digital wallet.

How to add a card on your Samsung Phone:

• • Open Samsung Pay on your phone.
• • Tap Menu in the top left corner, and then tap Cards.
• • Next, tap Add card, and then tap Add credit/debit card.
• • Follow the on-screen instructions to register your card, agreeing to your card’s terms and conditions when prompted.

 

You can add and manage up to 10 payment cards, including credit cards and debit cards. You can also add unlimited gift cards to your account.

How to add a card on your Samsung Watch:

• • First connect your watch to your phone and add a PIN.
• • If you’ve used Samsung Pay before, you may be able to import cards you’ve already added. If it’s your first time using Samsung Pay, you’ll need to add each new card one by one.
• • On your phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app.
• • From the Home tab, swipe to and tap Samsung Pay. If prompted, sign into your Samsung account.
• • Tap + in the upper right of the screen, and then tap Add credit or debit card.
• • You can take a photo of the card number or manually enter it by tapping Enter card manually. Fill in all required information, and then tap Next.
• • Review the Terms of Service, and then tap Agree to all. Select a method to verify your card, and then tap Submit. Finally, tap Done.

 

Once everything is set up, you’ll be able to view watch transactions through the Galaxy Wearable app. Watch transactions are tracked separately from phone transactions.