Removing a payment method stops PayPal from charging that card or bank account
You can remove any card or bank account you have linked to PayPal. Once removed, PayPal cannot charge it for purchases or transfers. The process takes less than a minute and happens when ready — the payment method disappears from your account right away.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using PayPal on a computer or phone, and whether you want to remove a card, a bank account, or both. You do not need to contact PayPal support to delete a payment method unless the account is marked as your primary payment source and you have no other payment method on file.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove any linked card or bank account from PayPal in your account settings under Wallet or Payment Methods.
- If the payment method you want to remove is set as your primary source, you must first set a different payment method as primary before deletion.
- Removing a payment method does not cancel subscriptions or recurring payments tied to that method — PayPal will attempt to charge your new primary method instead.
- Once deleted, the payment method is gone from your account when ready, but PayPal may keep a record of past transactions for your protection.
How to remove a card from PayPal on desktop
Log into your PayPal account on a computer and go to Settings. Click on Wallet in the left menu, then select Cards. Find the card you want to remove and click the three dots or menu icon next to it. Select Remove and confirm.
If the card is your primary payment method, PayPal will not let you remove it until you set a different card or bank account as primary. Go back to your Wallet, find another payment method, click its menu icon, and select Make Primary. Then return to the card you want to delete and remove it.
How to remove a bank account from PayPal on desktop
Log into PayPal and go to Settings, then Wallet. Click Banks instead of Cards. Find the bank account you want to remove, click the menu icon next to it, and select Remove. Confirm the deletion.
Bank accounts follow the same rule as cards: if it is set as your primary payment method, you must change your primary method first. Select a different card or bank account, click its menu icon, and choose Make Primary. Then remove the bank account you no longer want.
How to remove a payment method on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Tap Wallet. You will see a list of all your linked cards and bank accounts. Swipe left on the payment method you want to remove (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android). Tap Remove and confirm.
If you cannot swipe or long-press, tap the payment method itself to open its details, then look for a Remove or trash icon. The exact location depends on your phone model and the version of the app you have installed. If the payment method is primary, change your primary method first using the same menu, then return to remove it.
What happens to subscriptions and recurring payments
Removing a payment method does not stop subscriptions or recurring charges. If you delete the card or bank account that a subscription uses, PayPal will try to charge your new primary payment method instead. If that method fails or is also removed, the subscription will pause until you add a working payment method.
If you want to cancel a subscription entirely rather than just remove the payment method, you need to go to Settings, then Payments, then Manage automatic payments. Find the subscription and select Cancel. Removing the payment method alone will not end the subscription.
Why PayPal might not let you remove a payment method
PayPal requires you to have at least one valid payment method on file if you use PayPal for purchases or transfers. If you try to remove your only payment method, PayPal will block the deletion and ask you to add a new card or bank account first.
You also cannot remove a payment method if it is currently set as your primary source and you have no backup method. The system prevents you from being left with no way to pay. Add a second payment method, set it as primary, and then you can delete the first one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a payment method delete my transaction history?
No. PayPal keeps a record of all past transactions even after you remove the payment method. Your transaction history remains in your account for your records and for PayPal's fraud protection. Removing a payment method only stops future charges to that card or account.
Can I remove a payment method if I have a pending refund?
Yes, but the refund may fail if it was supposed to go back to the card or account you removed. PayPal will attempt to refund to the original payment method first. If that method no longer exists, PayPal may hold the refund or send it to your primary payment method instead. Contact PayPal if a refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe.
What if I remove a payment method and then want to use it again?
You can add it back anytime. Go to your Wallet, click Add a Card or Link a Bank Account, and enter the same card number or bank details. PayPal will recognize it as a card or account you have used before. You may need to verify it again depending on PayPal's security settings.
Does removing a payment method affect my PayPal credit or balance?
No. Your PayPal balance and any PayPal Credit account you have remain unchanged. Removing a payment method only affects which cards and bank accounts PayPal can charge. If you have a PayPal balance, you can still use it to pay for purchases or send money.