What credit report does apple card pull

In 2019, Apple, Mastercard and Goldman Sachs launched the Apple Card, a new rewards credit card with an emphasis on security, privacy and financial management.

The card rewards Apple purchases as well as in-person and online shopping through Apple Pay. It also helps consumers pay off their balances, save money on fees and interest and build their credit over time. As a demonstration of this commitment to credit-building, Apple recently launched the Path to Apple Card program that gives denied cardholders a second chance at approval.

Improved credit scores and cash back rewards aren’t the only reasons to consider the Apple Card. If you like mobile wallets and the ability to make in-store purchases with your phone, the Apple Card is set up to work seamlessly with Apple Pay. If you prefer a physical credit card, the engraved titanium Apple Card feels sturdy in your hand and looks great in your wallet—in fact, Bankrate recently included the Apple Card in its list of best-looking credit cards.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Card, from Apple credit card requirements to how to use Apple Pay to earn Daily Cash on purchases.

How do you apply for the Apple Card?

If you have an iPhone, applying for the Apple Card is easy. Simply open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign and select “Apply for Apple Card.” Confirm or update your personal information with Apple, then review and accept the terms and conditions.

If your application is accepted, the card is instantly added to your Apple Wallet—meaning you can begin making purchases right away. You can then request a titanium Apple card that will arrive later in the mail.

If your application is denied, Apple may invite you to participate in its new Path to Apple Card program. This unique program gives denied applicants detailed information regarding the reasons their application was denied, as well as tasks they can complete to help them improve their credit. If you complete the Path to Apple Card program successfully, you’ll have the option to reapply for the Apple Card.

What are the Apple credit card requirements?

Here’s Apple’s list of requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years or older, depending on where you live.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful U.S. resident with a U.S. residential address or military address (no P.O. boxes).
  • You must own a compatible iPhone with the latest iOS installed.
  • You must use two-factor authentication with your Apple ID.
  • You must sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
  • You must lift any “freezes” on your credit report before you apply for the Apple Card.
  • You might need to verify your identity with a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID.

What credit score do you need for the Apple Card?

According to Apple, customers with a credit score lower than 600 might not be approved for the Apple Card. This means that some applicants with fair or average credit (scores ranging between 580-669) might be accepted for the Apple Card, while others might be declined. If your initial application is not successful, you may be able to use the Path to Apple Card program to complete credit-building tasks and become eligible for the Apple Card.

Does the Apple Card help you build credit?

If you use your Apple Card responsibly, it can help you build your credit over time. To improve your credit score with the Apple Card, focus on making regular, on-time payments and try to keep your credit card balance as low as possible. The Apple Card reports credit activity to the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

Is the Apple Card free?

The Apple Card is a no-annual-fee credit card, which means there’s no yearly cost to use the card. Plus, you won’t be charged cash advance fees, foreign transaction fees or late fees. If you do end up making a late payment, you won’t get stuck with a penalty APR.

What is the Apple Card credit limit?

According to Apple, your Apple Card credit limit is determined by a number of factors including your income, the minimum payment amounts associated with your current debt, your credit utilization ratio and your credit score.

How do you make purchases with the Apple Card?

There are two ways to use your Apple Card to make purchases. You can use your titanium Apple Card everywhere Mastercard is accepted, or you can use your Wallet app to make purchases in-store and online.

How to make purchases in-store

If a store accepts Apple Pay, you can make a purchase by double-clicking the side button on your iPhone, completing the authentication step (which is as simple as using Touch ID or Face ID) and holding your phone over the card reader. The transaction will complete automatically.

How to make purchases online

To use your Apple Card for mobile purchases, simply select Apple Pay at checkout. Double-click the side button on your iPhone to confirm the purchase, complete the authentication step and the transaction will process automatically. You can also make Apple Pay purchases on your iPad, Apple Watch or Mac.

Where is your Apple Card credit card number located?

The titanium Apple Card features a minimalist, security-focused design that doesn’t include a credit card number. To look up your Apple card number, open your Wallet app, locate your Apple Card, tap the card number icon, complete the authentication step to prove that it’s really you and the Wallet app will reveal your credit card number.

How do you earn rewards with the Apple Card?

When you make certain types of purchases with your Apple Card using Apple Pay, you earn Daily Cash. These cash back rewards are applied to your account every day, and you can decide whether to use your Daily Cash to make purchases, send money to friends or family or make a one-time payment toward your Apple Card balance.

Here’s how the reward structure works:

  • Earn 3 percent cash back when you buy Apple products.
  • Earn 3 percent cash back when you make purchases with select retailers, including Panera Bread, Exxon, Mobil, Nike, T-Mobile, Uber Eats and Walgreens.
  • Earn 2 percent cash back when you make purchases with Apple Pay.
  • Earn 1 percent cash back on all other purchases where Apple Pay isn’t accepted.

There’s no limit to the amount of Daily Cash you can earn. You also start earning Daily Cash immediately so make sure you take advantage of it.

How can you maximize your Apple Card rewards?

To maximize your Daily Cash rewards, make sure to use Apple Pay for as many purchases as possible—that way, you automatically earn 2 percent cash back on most purchases. Your rewards get bumped up to 3 percent cash back if you make Apple Pay purchases with Apple, Uber Eats, Walgreens or another participating retailer.

What other perks does the Apple Card offer?

In addition to cash back rewards, the Apple Card offers several features designed to help cardholders manage their finances and build their credit. Use the Wallet app to track your purchases by category or identify spending habits and trends. When you make credit card payments, the Wallet’s payment wheel will offer recommendations to help you avoid interest charges and pay down your balance more quickly. You can even pay for Apple products in interest-free installments.

You can also share your Apple Card account using Apple Card Family. With this feature, you can share your account with up to five people. Everyone on the shared account can use your Apple Card and view their spending. Account owners and co-owners can see group members’ activity, set transaction limits and more. 

You can designate a co-owner for the account, too. Like an authorized user, they will share your credit line and information reported to credit bureaus regarding the account. Your account co-owner must be at least 18 years old, while children over 13 can also be added to the account. 

The bottom line

If you already use Apple Pay for the majority of your purchases, the Apple Card might be a good fit for you. If you don’t use Apple Pay and don’t plan on using Apple Pay in the future, the Apple Card won’t be as good of a choice—and you might want to consider a different cash back rewards card instead.

Ultimately, the Apple Card is best for people who are excited about using mobile wallets and who already make a lot of purchases with Apple and its selected retailers. However, since the Apple Card accepts applicants with fair credit and gives people who were initially declined the opportunity to improve their credit score and apply again, the Apple Card might also be a good option for people who want to use a credit card to help build their credit.

If you are interested in the Apple Card, apply and see what happens. If your application gets accepted, remember to use Apple Pay for as many purchases as possible to maximize your Daily Cash and take advantage of everything the Apple Card has to offer.

The information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Does Apple Card use TransUnion or Equifax?

Goldman Sachs uses TransUnion and other credit bureaus to evaluate your Apple Card application. If your credit score is low (for example, if your FICO9 score is lower than 600),5 Goldman Sachs might not be able to approve your Apple Card application.

What FICO score does Apple Card use?

Apple Card uses FICO Score 9. FICO Score 9 ranges from 300 to 850, with scores above 660 considered favorable for credit approval.

Does Apple Card pull hard inquiry?

Apple does a soft credit pull when you apply for Apple card so you can see Apple's offer with credit limit and APR. A hard pull happens after you hit the "accept" button.

Does Apple Card do a hard or soft pull?

Rates as of August 1, 2022. Accepting an Apple Card after your application is approved will result in a hard inquiry, which may impact your credit score. Subject to credit approval.