Where to find your iCloud payment settings

You change your iCloud storage payment method through your Apple ID settings, not through iCloud itself. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone, Mac, or a web browser, but they all lead to the same place: your Apple ID account page.

Apple stores your payment method in your Apple ID, which is the account you use for everything Apple — the App Store, iTunes, iCloud, and any other Apple service. When you pay for iCloud storage, that charge goes through whichever payment method is currently set as your default on your Apple ID.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your iCloud payment method by editing your Apple ID payment information, not by changing anything within iCloud itself.
  • On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping, then tap the payment method you want to replace.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security, then click Edit next to Payment Method.
  • On any device, you can also visit appleid.apple.com in a web browser, sign in, and update your payment method under Payment & Shipping.
  • Your new payment method takes effect when ready for future charges, but any pending charges will still go to your old method.

Steps on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Then tap Payment & Shipping. You will see your current payment method listed — usually a credit card, debit card, or Apple ID balance.

To change it, tap the payment method itself. You can then edit the card details if the card is still valid but the information changed (like an expiration date), or delete it entirely and add a new one. If you want to add a new payment method without deleting the old one, tap Add Payment Method instead, then choose whether to add a credit card, debit card, or use a different option like Apple Pay.

After you add or edit a payment method, tap Done. The change takes effect right away. If you have a pending charge for iCloud storage, it will still go to your old payment method — only future charges will use the new one.

Steps on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click your name in the sidebar, then click Password & Security.

Look for the Payment Method section and click Edit. You will see your current payment method. Click the payment method itself to change the details, or click the minus sign to remove it and add a new one. To add a new payment method without removing the old one, click the plus sign.

After you make your changes, click Done. The new payment method is active when ready for any future charges.

Steps using a web browser

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID and password. You may need to complete a two-factor authentication step — Apple will send a code to a trusted device or phone number.

Once you are signed in, click Payment & Shipping in the left sidebar. You will see your current payment method. To change it, click Edit next to the payment method, update the information, and click Save. To add a new payment method instead, click Add Payment Method, enter the details, and click Add.

The web browser method works the same way on any device — Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android — as long as you have internet access and can sign into your Apple ID.

What happens when you change your payment method

Your new payment method becomes your default when ready. Any charges that have not yet been processed will still go to your old payment method, but all future charges — including your next iCloud storage renewal — will use the new one.

If you are worried about a charge that is about to go through, check your iCloud storage renewal date. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage, then tap your name at the top. On a Mac, go to System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. You will see when your next charge is due. If the charge has not processed yet, your new payment method will catch it.

If you want to remove a payment method entirely

You can delete a payment method from your Apple ID, but Apple requires at least one valid payment method on file at all times. If you try to delete your only payment method, the system will not let you until you add a new one first.

To remove a payment method, go to Payment & Shipping in your Apple ID settings (using whichever device or browser you prefer), find the payment method you want to delete, and select the option to remove or delete it. If it is your default payment method, Apple will ask you to choose a different default before the deletion goes through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my payment method stop my iCloud storage from working?

No. Changing your payment method does not interrupt your iCloud storage service. Your storage remains active, and the new payment method straightforward handles the next charge. There is no gap in service.

Can I use a different payment method for iCloud than I use for the App Store?

No. iCloud storage charges go through your default Apple ID payment method, which is the same one used for all Apple purchases. You cannot set a separate payment method for iCloud alone.

What if my payment method is declined when iCloud tries to charge it?

Apple will try the charge again over several days. If it continues to fail, your iCloud storage will be downgraded to the free 5 GB plan after a grace period. Update your payment method as soon as possible to restore your paid storage and avoid losing access to files stored in the cloud.

Do I need to update my payment method if my card expires but I have a new card from the same bank?

Usually yes. Even if it is the same bank, a new card has a different number and expiration date. Go to Payment & Shipping and update the card information with the new details. Some banks may auto-update the expiration date in Apple's system, but it is safer to do it yourself.

Can I change my payment method on a family plan?

Only the family organizer — the person who set up the family plan — can change the payment method. Other family members cannot edit the payment information, though they can see which payment method is being used.