If you’re panicking and Googling how to cancel an Apple Pay payment, you’re not alone. The right move depends on what you paid for and how it was sent: Apple Cash to a person, a merchant purchase via Apple Pay, or a subscription/App Store charge. Below is a clear, step-by-step guide that reflects how the top results structure their content—scannable headings, quick steps, and accurate, source-backed instructions—so you can fix the problem quickly.
Quick answer: Can you cancel an Apple Pay payment?
- Person-to-person (Apple Cash): You can cancel only if the status shows “Pending.” If it’s Completed, you can’t cancel—ask the recipient to send it back or contact support.
- Merchant purchase with Apple Pay: You can’t “cancel” it in Wallet. Refunds are handled by the merchant and return to your original card once processed.
- Subscriptions/App Store purchases: Manage or cancel in Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions (for ongoing charges) or request refunds from Apple for eligible digital purchases.
How to cancel an Apple Pay payment to a person (Apple Cash)
If you sent money in Messages/Wallet and it still shows Pending, you can cancel in a few taps:
- Open Wallet and tap your Apple Cash card.
- Under Latest Transactions, tap the payment, then tap it again.
- Tap Cancel Payment.
If you sent it from a Messages thread, tap the payment bubble → it opens the same transaction in Wallet → Cancel Payment. If you don’t see Cancel Payment, the recipient has accepted it and you can’t cancel.
Refund timing: If you cancel a pending payment, the money typically returns to your card/balance within a few business days (exact timing varies by bank/issuer).
Can you cancel a merchant purchase made with Apple Pay?
No. Apple Pay is just the payment method. Cancellations/refunds go through the merchant following their policy. When the merchant issues a refund, it’s sent back to the same card you used in Apple Pay; expect a short delay before it appears on your statement. Keep your receipt; some stores may ask for the last four digits of your Apple Pay Device Account Number (shown in Wallet on the card’s info screen).
Tip: If you tapped the wrong amount or used the wrong card at checkout, contact the merchant immediately. Many stores can void the transaction before it batches out.
How to stop recurring Apple Cash payments
If you set up a recurring Apple Cash payment, you can pause or cancel it:
- Open Wallet → Apple Cash → More (⋯).
- Tap Recurring Payments → select the payment → Cancel or Pause.
How to cancel subscriptions or App Store charges billed via Apple
- Go to Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions → choose the service → Cancel Subscription. You’ll typically keep access until the current billing period ends.
- For one-time digital purchases (apps, in-app, media), use Apple’s Report a Problem to request a refund if eligible. If a charge is still pending, wait for the email receipt before requesting.
Disputes: What if it’s fraud or you can’t resolve it?
- Apple Card users: Open Wallet → Apple Card → transaction → Report an Issue to start a dispute in Messages.
- Other cards in Apple Pay: Contact your bank/card issuer using the number on the back of your card. Standard chargeback rules apply because the payment runs over your card network. (Merchants and processors handle Apple Pay disputes under normal card rules.)
Best practices to prevent payment mistakes
- Verify recipient details (name/number/email) before sending Apple Cash. Once Completed, you can’t undo it.
- Save or screenshot receipts for store purchases. It speeds up refunds with merchants.
- Use the right card: Long-press the payment card in Wallet at the terminal to switch before tapping.
- Avoid scams: Only send Apple Cash to people you know; scammers often ask for P2P payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I cancel an Apple Pay payment after it says “Completed”?
No. Completed Apple Cash payments can’t be canceled—you’ll need to ask the recipient to return the money or contact support. For merchant purchases, contact the merchant for a refund; you can’t cancel in Wallet.
2. How do I cancel an Apple Pay payment if it’s still pending?
Open Wallet → Apple Cash → transaction → Cancel Payment (or tap the payment in the Messages thread to get there). If the Cancel option isn’t present, it’s already accepted.
3. I paid the wrong merchant with Apple Pay—what now?
Contact the merchant immediately to request a void or refund; once processed, it returns to the original card. Timing to appear on your statement can vary.
4. How do I stop monthly charges related to Apple services?
Cancel subscriptions in Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions. For digital purchase issues, use Report a Problem to request a refund where eligible.
Conclusion: The right way to cancel an Apple Pay payment
The key to how to cancel an Apple Pay payment is knowing your payment type. Apple Cash pending payments can be canceled in Wallet; merchant purchases require contacting the merchant for a refund; subscriptions/App Store charges are managed in Settings or via Apple’s refund portal. Act fast, keep receipts, and use the built-in dispute tools when you need them.
