Add a Virtual Card to Apple Pay / Google Wallet

A virtual card in Apple Pay or Google Wallet is convenient: pay with your phone without entering the card number, plus extra security (the real card number is never transmitted to the merchant). However, not every card can be added. Let's break it down.

What is needed for compatibility

The virtual card must be issued by an issuer that is certified to work with Apple/Google tokenization services. This is a technical process, and not all BINs (the first 6 digits of the card) are supported.

VirtCardPay cards on Mastercard and Visa BINs usually support adding. To check: in the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app, enter the card details manually. If the app accepts it, it's compatible.

Steps for Apple Pay

On iPhone: open Wallet → + in the top right corner → Debit/Credit Card. You can either take a photo of the card (which won't work for a virtual card since it has no physical form) or enter the details manually.

Enter the 16-digit card number, expiry date, CVV, and cardholder name. Apple will contact the issuer for verification. The issuer (in the case of VirtCardPay, the virtual card provider) will send a confirmation code via Telegram bot, email, or other means. Enter the code in the app – the card is added.

Steps for Google Wallet

On Android: open Google Wallet → + Add to wallet → Payment card. The entry process is the same. Confirmation via a code from the issuer.

What happens after adding

In a store: hold your phone near the NFC POS terminal, briefly press the side button (iPhone) or show the screen (Android). Payment goes through like a regular card, but the merchant receives a token – a one-time identifier – instead of the real card number.

Online: on the payment page, there is often an Apple Pay or Google Pay button. Tap it – no need to enter card details, confirm with fingerprint/FaceID.

Important things to know

Card limits remain. Apple Pay/Google Pay do not bypass the virtual card's limits. If the card has $50 and a max-transaction of $50, you cannot pay $100 through Apple Pay.

Merchant holds work the same. A hotel with pre-authorization will freeze the same amount on the card as with regular payment.

3DS may be triggered. For large amounts or high-risk merchants, 3DS is not bypassed when paying through a wallet – you will see a confirmation request in the Telegram bot.

Blocking the card also blocks the token. If you block the virtual card, the token in Apple/Google Pay will also stop working without any additional steps.

What if you can't add it

If the issuer declines ("card not supported by issuer"), it often means the specific BIN is not certified for Apple/Google. You can try issuing a new card – sometimes VirtCardPay uses different BINs for different card types, and some of them are compatible.