The Apple Card, issued by Goldman Sachs, consistently ranks number one in customer satisfaction in its card category. It’s easy to see why, with perks including saving 5% on Apple products (and a lot more we’ll get into below).

However, not just anybody with an Apple account can apply for an Apple Card and get accepted. If you recently applied for an Apple Card only to be declined, it can feel extremely disappointing.

But don't worry; there are still options available. In this guide, we'll provide a few potential solutions for people who got denied an Apple Card so you can determine the best “next step” for your credit card application that suits your financial situation and needs.

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What Is the Apple Card?

The Apple Card is the perfect choice for iPhone users who leverage Apple Pay as their primary digital wallet. They can maximize the cashback potential of the card by purchasing devices and other products from the Apple Store and making regular purchases with their mobile devices.

The app makes managing your account easy, eliminating the need to keep track of paper statements or remember where money was spent. However, that’s nothing necessarily new these days, as most credit cards come with mobile apps.

But is the Apple Card worth it? It depends. 

Apple offers a variety of exclusive rewards and discounts that can be unlocked by using this credit card. In addition, Apple provides 24/7 support and top-notch security features so that users can enjoy peace of mind. However, if you’re not a fan of digital wallets or don’t use Apple Pay frequently, you might not get a lot of use out of it.

Features

The Apple Card offers a unique way to earn cash rewards by giving customers an impressive percentage of their purchases back daily. An innovative combination of mobile payments and physical cards, the card is fee-free and integrates seamlessly with Apple Pay. 

One of the key advantages of the Apple Card is its commitment to providing users with an exceptional user experience, offering them a convenient way to make secure payments with ease. 

Furthermore, it also offers one of the lowest interest rates available on credit cards (with variable rates starting as low as 15.49%), making it a great option for anyone looking for an affordable way to manage money.

Rewards

You can earn Daily Cash rewards when you use your Apple Card card for purchases. Three levels of rewards are available to cardmembers:

• 3% Daily Cash: This applies when you buy from Apple stores, Apple.com, the App Store, or iTunes. You also get 3% off when you use Apple Pay at T-Mobile stores, Walgreens, Panera Bread, Exxon Mobil, and Nike.
• 2% Daily Cash: This level applies to all purchases made using Apple Pay, no matter your purchase.
• 1% Daily Cash: You can earn this level of reward for any purchases made outside of Apple Pay. So, basically, whenever you use the card as a standard credit card.

Your earned Daily Cash gets credited to your Apple Cash Card using the Wallet app each time. You can earn as much Daily Cash as you want without any limits or restrictions on earnings. That’s a pretty nice perk. Overall, the Apple Card cash back features are one of the top Apple Card benefits.

Fees

• Annual fee: There is currently no annual fee for the Apple Card as of 2023. There are also no foreign transaction or late payment fees.
• APR: 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable). 

Management

Using the Apple Card requires an up-to-date iPhone running iOS 15.1.1 or later to access all the features available. 

However, there are multiple ways to redeem the Daily Cash rewards you earn through the card. These can be redeemed for statement credit, but if you choose other methods of redemption, then setting up an Apple Cash Card account is necessary. To do this, you’ll use the Wallet app, which offers an intuitive and easy setup process.

If you have questions about your account, you can contact Apple Card customer service via an in-app message or call them at 877-255-5923.

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Apple Credit Card Credit Score Requirements

What credit score do you need to apply for an Apple Card successfully? It’s important to clarify that this is pretty much a brand-specific credit card. You can use it to pay outside of Apple Pay. However, the features aren’t as robust as those you might find in regular rewards credit cards.

Therefore, the credit score requirements are slightly lower than they are for other top cards from places like Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank. Customers must have a good credit score to be approved for the Apple Card. 

According to Apple, applicants with scores above 600 are likely to be accepted, while those with scores lower than 600 might not be approved. This means that those who fall into the fair credit category (580-669) may either be accepted or declined depending on their individual financial situation. 

When assessing an applicant's creditworthiness, Apple reviews factors such as payment history and total available credit limit on existing cards. Additionally, you should ensure your personal financial records are up-to-date and accurate to improve your chances of being accepted for an Apple Card. Yep, this means checking your credit report for errors or big red flags!

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How to Apply for an Apple Card

If you’re interested in applying for an Apple Card, you can do so directly from your device. All you have to do is open the Wallet app and tap the ‘+’ button. Then select Apple Card and press “Continue.” 

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You will then be asked to complete your application with all your relevant information. After that, review and agree to the Apple Card Terms & Conditions, which detail your offer's particular credit limit and APR. 

Once all of that is done, you can accept your offer, and Apple Card will be added directly to the Wallet app. After your account is all set up, you can request a titanium Apple Card to use for in-person purchases if you’d like.

Note that following the first set of steps above won’t hurt your credit score. Applying to receive what’s essentially Apple Card pre-approval doesn’t affect your score. However, they'll make a hard inquiry once you accept the terms and your offer. This could temporarily hurt your score by a few points (but not much).

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Why Your Apple Credit Card Application Was Denied

Didn’t get approved for an Apple Card? Don’t worry. There are a few main reasons why this happens. Apple details this in its forums, listing the most common reasons that include the following:

• Past-due debts: Having past-due debts is a red flag when applying for an Apple Card because it shows you may not be able to manage your finances responsibly. It’s worth noting that missing payments or falling far behind on payments directly impacts your credit score, too. 
• Negative public records: Having negative public records, such as a tax lien or bankruptcy, when applying for an Apple Card can result in a denial because it can indicate an inability to meet financial obligations. Apple Card is committed to providing customers with responsible credit practices and will not approve applicants who have demonstrated a lack of financial responsibility in the past.
• High debt: High debt when applying for an Apple Card can result in a denial because the approval process considers your existing debts and ability to pay without overextending yourself. An excessive amount of debt suggests you may not have adequate funds to make payments, so lenders may deny this type of application to protect themselves. This is the same regarding insufficient income.
• Low credit score: Credit scores are a reflection of how reliable and responsible you are with managing debts. A low credit score indicates that you may not have the financial stability to take on more debt, so the lender may be hesitant to approve your application. 
• Applied for loans or credit cards frequently: If Yyou have a high number of recent applications for credit, it may also cause the denial of your application.  

They also note that if they see a history of lots of frequent credit card applications, then Goldman Sachs might deny your application. This is viewed as a desperate need for access to credit that can make you look financially unstable.

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Apple Credit Card Application Denied: Next Steps

Regardless of the reason, Goldman Sachs should send a denial letter detailing your denial. Read this letter to see why they denied your Apple Card application. You can also contact the Apple Customer Service via Messages or direct call at 877-255-5923 (it’s 24/7 available) to see if they can offer you some help.  Then, follow these steps:

• Check your identification information: First, see if your application is declined because of unsuccessful verification of identification information. If this is the case, find the inaccurate information and re-enter the information if needed. Make sure your ID is clearly visible, and your ID hasn’t expired. 

• Look at your credit report: Look for any negative items, such as late payments or high balances. Then compare the details of each account, like the payment history and utilization rate, to determine any patterns that might hurt your score. Finally, check for inaccurate information that could be bringing it down.
• Focus on problem areas: Focus on the areas that are negatively impacting your score. For example, if you have a high credit utilization ratio, try to avoid charging purchases to that card and focus on paying off your debt. Other issues, such as credit mix, might take longer to improve. 
• Improve your credit score: To improve your credit score, it is important to pay all bills on time, reduce existing debt, maintain a low credit utilization ratio, and be mindful of the types of accounts you open. Additionally, check your credit report regularly for errors or inaccuracies and dispute them in a timely manner.

If you don’t have a credit history or have a low credit score, you might consider alternative methods such as a secured credit card or a credit builder loan. We suggest the latter.

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Improve Your Credit With Cheese Credit Builder

Are you looking to repair your credit? Then the Cheese Credit Builder Loan is the perfect solution for you. With customizable terms, you can get started with a credit builder loan for as little as $500 and select a 12 or 24-month payment plan that suits your needs.

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