Apple Pay is one of the most popular digital wallets worldwide. Considering the sheer number of people on the platform, it’s not unusual for some to experience glitches here and there every so often, and one of them is when your payment is in pending status for unknown reasons.
Let’s find out what causes it and how to fix it.
Here’s How to Fix Apple Pay Pending Payment:
One of the most common reasons why your Apple Pay transaction remains in pending status is because the recipient of the money you just sent hasn’t accepted it yet.
Apple Pay has two settings when it comes to accepting payments: Automatically Accept Payments and Manually Accept Payments.
If the recipient has chosen to Manually Accept Payments, then they would first have to do just that in order for the transaction to be completed.
In this case, you would just have to inform them to accept it, and perhaps suggest for them to enable “Automatically Accept Payments” to avoid similar events in the future and to ensure smoother, faster transactions.
The steps to change the payment settings are as follows:
- Lauch your Apple Wallet app
- Tap your Apple Cash Card
- Tap the “More” button
- Tap either “Automatically Accept Payments” or “Manually Accept Payments”
Why Is an Apple Pay Payment Pending?
Aside from the reason stated above, pending payment in Apple Pay may also be caused by a few other things. One of them is when the money appears to have been deducted from your account but is yet to be received by the other party.
Remember that depending on your bank, it may take 1-3 business (sometimes longer) for a payment to clear.
Another reason, specifically if you’re using a credit card, is a holding charge. A hold is an amount charged to your card when you pay for something that doesn’t have a set total.
It allows the merchant to check whether or not you have enough funds available for your purchase. This is required by card networks including American Express, Visa, or Mastercard for certain purchases. This is also a message that appears as “Pre-authorization” in Apple Pay.
In these cases, you just really have to wait as your transaction would eventually complete itself. Regular bank time frames still do apply so it’s good to practice the same amount of patience you do with your regular bank transactions.
Should other issues arise, you always have the option of getting in touch with either your bank or Apple Support to figure things out.
How Long Does an Apple Pay Payment Stay Pending?
Typically, a pending transaction only takes 1-3 business days to clear, and this is the case for a majority of them. Of course, this is assuming that there are no other issues or glitches, or if your transaction doesn’t fall during a bank holiday. Otherwise, it may take longer.
Some users have reported anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks. If it takes longer than a week, however, you may want to check with your bank to find out what exactly is causing the delay and work with them to find a resolution.
How Can You Accept a Pending Apple Pay Payment?
If the pending status is due to the payment not being accepted by the recipient, you have to inform them and instruct them to accept it from their end.
Tell them to follow these instructions:
- Launch Apple Wallet
- Tap on your Apple Pay Cash Card to access your transaction history
- Tap on “Transactions”, which can be found below the Apple Pay Cash Card button
- Look for any pending transactions, and then tap on “Accept”
It’s that simple. It’s easier for someone more tech-savvy to figure it out themselves without you having to teach them.
Can You Cancel a Pending Apple Pay Payment?
An Apple Pay Payment can be canceled as long as the recipient has yet to accept it.
Here are the steps on how to cancel it:
- Launch your Apple Pay Wallet app
- Tap on your Apple Pay Cash Card
- Tap “Transactions” below Apple Pay Cash Card
- Locate the specific payment you wish to cancel and then tap on it
- Tap “Cancel Payment”
Please note that if the receiving party has accepted the payment, it can no longer be canceled. If there’s an issue, you’d have to settle that with the person, or get in touch with Apple if you’d like to dispute the charge.
Seeking Help: Contact Apple Support for Quick Solutions
When all else fails and your Apple Pay payment remains stubbornly stuck in pending status, it's time to reach out to the experts. Apple Support is your lifeline to resolving technical glitches efficiently. With their extensive knowledge and expertise, they can guide you through the troubleshooting process or provide specific solutions tailored to your situation.
Don't hesitate to contact Apple Support for assistance. They are well-equipped to tackle any issues related to pending payments and ensure a swift resolution. Let their dedicated team alleviate your concerns and get your transactions back on track. Remember, help is just a phone call or chat away.
Sources: