Hands-On With Apple Card

Apple last week began allowing some iPhone users to sign up for Apple Card as part of a limited test ahead of a wider launch, and we got our hands on one of the new cards.

In our latest YouTube video, we highlight the ‌Apple Card‌ sign up process, how it works, what it looks like, and how the titanium card feels in person for those who haven't yet had a chance to sign up.


‌Apple Card‌, which Apple created in partnership with Goldman Sachs, is a credit card that's designed to be simple, straightforward, and easy to use, making it ideal for those who are new to credit cards or who are looking for something no-frills that's easy to understand.

Signing up for ‌Apple Card‌ can be done in the Wallet app, and the entire process takes just a couple of minutes from the time that you enter your name, address, and other info to approval or rejection.

Your APR (interest rate) and your credit limit are based on your credit score, and Apple is aiming to make the ‌Apple Card‌ available to most people so even those with scores in the 600s have reported being approved.

Once you've signed up for ‌Apple Card‌, you can use it right away for Apple Pay purchases both in stores and online because it's deeply integrated into the ‌iPhone‌. It works like any other credit card you've added to ‌Apple Pay‌. At the same time, Apple sends you a physical titanium card in the mail that can be used where ‌Apple Pay‌ isn't available. It takes a few days for the titanium card to arrive, and it's worth the wait.

The titanium ‌Apple Card‌ is uniquely Apple, featuring a simple design that's engraved with your name and no other information. There's no card number, CVV, or expiration date on the card, though there is a chip and a traditional magstripe for purchases.

Your card number, CVV, and expiration date can be found inside the Wallet app if you need that info for online purchases where ‌Apple Pay‌ isn't accepted. Your card number can even be changed on a semi-regular basis, which means it's more secure than a traditional credit card. That's one of the main benefits of the ‌Apple Card‌.

The titanium card is hefty and it weighs more than your average plastic credit card, plus it's about twice as thick. It's a statement card for sure, and it stands out when you use it. When you use either your physical ‌Apple Card‌ or the digital ‌Apple Pay‌ version, Apple tracks all of your purchases in detail, which is the other major ‌Apple Card‌ benefit.

There's a virtual card in the Wallet app that starts out white but changes color based on what you're buying. Apple organizes all of your purchases into different categories that each have a color, making it easy to see what you're spending your money on each month. Apple offers detailed purchase tracking, full merchant name info (so no purchase is ever ambiguous), and instant notifications when you make a purchase (so you know right away if something's charged you didn't authorize).

‌Apple Card‌ doesn't offer benefits like extended warranties or purchase protection, but it does have a cash back feature that's paid out each day. You get 3% cash back on purchases made from Apple (or its digital stores), 2% cash back on all ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases, and 1% cash back for all other purchases with the titanium card.

Cash is paid out at the end of each day and is added to your Apple Cash card, also in the Wallet app. The Apple Cash card can be used for purchases or the balance can be transferred to your bank account.

Payments are made in the Wallet app through a linked bank account, and it's worth noting that there is no web option. That's potentially going to be a hassle if you lose your ‌iPhone‌ and need to make a payment, but your ‌Apple Card‌ can be managed on your other iOS devices too.

When it comes to payments, Apple's aiming to make it so you pay as little interest as possible. Apple will send reminders when payment is due, encourage you to make extra payments to cut down on interest, and help you understand exactly how much interest you're going to be charged.

‌Apple Card‌ can't match other cards when it comes to benefits, travel rewards, and specific cash back options, but where it does win out over other cards is its deep integration into the Wallet app and the effort Apple put in to making it understandable.

Your purchases are clearly outlined, your spending is tracked across different categories so you can better budget and track your money, and payment information is optimized for your benefit, rather than the benefit of the credit card company.

For more on ‌Apple Card‌, make sure to check out our comprehensive Apple Card guide.

Top Rated Comments

Dragonmount Avatar
47 months ago
The benefits are so substandard, but I still got one.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tom t from ny Avatar
47 months ago
Got mine via fedex today. Pure apple design brilliance for experience. Opened box, pulled out white package. Opened it. It says wake your iPhone and put it here. So I did. Just like pairing AirPods, screen pops up and activated the card. And the card, well as others have said: it’s a statement. Metal. Thick. Different. Yes it’s just a credit card. Yes other cards have better rewards programs. But the integration and the security and no international fees are what I like. I spend about 1/3 year international so these are nice.

I know many people are why apple this why apple that. But folks, as someone in the software world let me say this. Getting things simple like this is soooo difficult. We battle internally when adding features to focus on simplicity and struggle. Getting that experience right builds and maintains loyalty.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
47 months ago
Isn't this just another credit card. I don't understand the excitement over it.
welcome, newbie...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Atreyu25 Avatar
47 months ago
Mine came via Fedex overnight....and this was the first time in the 35 years I've lived here that Fedex delivered something to the wrong address. I got confirmation from both Fedex and Apple that my card was delivered - went to check - no Fedex envelope anywhere. Called Fedex - they told the driver to go back to wherever he delivered it to and bring it to the correct address. He had dropped it two doors down and was all apologetic "gee I saw the big house numbers and name on the mailbox and my mind must have just blanked" No excuse - it was 9:15 in the morning - not the end of a long day.
He's a human, living a human life. You don't know what his battles are, try and keep that in mind when people miss your expectation.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Darmok N Jalad Avatar
47 months ago
I didn’t see anywhere in this review how good the Apple card is at scraping an icy windshield versus regular credit cards.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
volfan Avatar
47 months ago
Isn't this just another credit card. I don't understand the excitement over it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Gurman: iOS 17 to Provide Several 'Most Requested Features'

Sunday March 26, 2023 6:05 am PDT by
Apple changed the strategy for iOS 17 later in its development process to add several new features, suggesting that the update may be more significant than previously thought, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In January, Gurman said that iOS 17 could be a less significant update than iPhone updates in previous years due to the company's intense focus on its long-awaited mixed-reality...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:06 am PDT by
Following nearly six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 is expected to be released to the public as soon as this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Some Apple Employees Seriously Concerned About Mixed-Reality Headset as Announcement Draws Closer

Sunday March 26, 2023 8:25 am PDT by
Some Apple employees are concerned about the usefulness and price point of the company's upcoming mixed-reality headset, The New York Times reports. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane Initial enthusiasm around the device at the company has apparently become skepticism, according to eight current and former Apple employees speaking to The New York Times. The change of tone...
iOS 16

Apple Releases iOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, Beta Changes, Voice Isolation for Calls and More

Monday March 27, 2023 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 16.4, the fourth major update to the iOS 16 operating system that initially came out last September. iOS 16.4 comes two months after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID. iOS 16‌.4 and iPadOS 16.4 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes...
Steve Jobs Theater dusk

Apple Reportedly Demoed Mixed-Reality Headset to Executives in the Steve Jobs Theater Last Week

Sunday March 26, 2023 5:53 am PDT by
Apple showcased its mixed-reality headset to the company's top 100 executives in the Steve Jobs Theater last week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that the "momentous gathering" is a "key milestone" ahead of the headset's public announcement planned for June. The event was intended to rally Apple's top members of...
top stories 25mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Design Leak, iOS 16.4 Coming Soon, and More

Saturday March 25, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
We're still almost six months away from the official unveiling of the iPhone 15 lineup, but it seems like every day we're learning more about what to expect from the next-generation models. Notably, this week gave us our clearest look yet at what appear to be some changes for the volume and mute control hardware. iOS 16.4 and associated releases are also right around the corner with some new ...
apple tv 4k red image

Apple Releases tvOS 16.4 for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD

Monday March 27, 2023 10:00 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 16.4, the fourth major point update to the tvOS 16 operating system that came out last September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.4 comes two months following the release of tvOS 16.3. The tvOS 16.4 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update....