Apple Pay with NatWest debit card declines

Question

Level 1

4 points

Apple Pay with NatWest debit card declines

First post cry for help…

I have recently changed iPhones to the 17 pro and have the latest iOS 26.1 update, yet my NatWest debit card keeps declining (Based in UK).

Initially this was embarrassing as I did not have my physical cards with me, however this is now more frustrating as Apple Pay declines in person, but not if I buy something online 🤔

My physical card works immediately afterwards and I don’t receive any fraud messages to my phone, which fellow NatWest customers will understand as the bank loves to do that.

I have reset my phone, I have deleted my cards from my phone and added them again. I have authorised them through my banking app. I have called NatWest who cryptically just read out a statement which talks about terms and conditions and payment processing.

I am fortunate to have a specific person who looks after me at NatWest and I called them and asked if there is a problem and they have confirmed from the banks end, they have nothing on my account and there is no reason the card should be getting declined.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be and how to fix it?

Posted on Nov 30, 2025 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

DMacidracing Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 4, 2025 1:26 PM in response to DMacidracing

Fixed. I ended up speaking to a very helpful person in Apple support and they advised a software reset and now everything works like it should.

Appreciate those who replied and tried to help.

Hopefully this post will help anyone else who experiences this.

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Dec 1, 2025 1:28 AM in response to DMacidracing

Did you already try to reach out to the official Apple Support and ask them to look into your personal settings?

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

If you had no problems using this card on your previous iPhone, this could also be related to the iPhone 17 software.

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Answer 3

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,562 points

Dec 1, 2025 3:43 AM in response to DMacidracing

Do you see a decline on the transaction terminal?

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Answer 4

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,562 points

Dec 2, 2025 9:57 AM in response to DMacidracing

So, why did they decline the transaction? Apple doesn’t participate in any part of the transaction. The data flow is from your iPhone to the merchant POS to the Payment Network Operator (Mastercard, Visa, American Express etc.) then to the bank. The bank issues approval or decline and data flows back to merchant POS. The decline you saw was from your bank. Apple played no part in the transaction and the banks share no data with Apple. The receipts and transaction information are all supplied by the bank and/or merchant. Apple won’t have any information about the transaction.

Personally, I’d switch banks. I couldn’t trust a bank that just outright lied to me.

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Answer 5

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,562 points

Dec 2, 2025 6:31 AM in response to DMacidracing

If you’re receiving a decline, it’s through your bank. Apple is not a bank and cannot approve or decline a transaction. Only the issuing bank can decline. Contact you banks support team and request an explanation for the decline.

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Answer 6

DMacidracing Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2025 6:13 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Hi Jeff, yes I get a decline on the terminal, followed by the notification on my phone. Thanks, D

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Answer 7

DMacidracing Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2025 6:15 AM in response to Ingo2711

I had searched through the FAQ points on the support, but not spoken to anyone.

After the most recent decline happened in an Apple Store, they recommended I speak to Apple Support, will I will endeavour to do today. Thanks, D

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Answer 8

DMacidracing Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2025 6:43 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Thanks Jeff. Naturally I did this immediately, however my bank confirmed my account is fine and has no flags or blocks on for Fraud.

NatWest are known for strict fraud protection (Which is great) however when they stop the payment you get a text message almost immediately asking you to confirm payments.

I have not received these and the bank have also confirmed I have not been sent these, so they have suggested I speak to Apple or change my phone!

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