How to Lock and Unlock Your PayPal Debit Card on an iPhone or iPad

Co-authored by Christopher Batchelor

Last Updated: December 6, 2023

If you either lost, misplaced or had your PayPal Debit Card stolen, you can self-service your card and lock it without Customer Service intervention, as long you have your iPhone/iPad nearby.

Steps

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1
Open PayPal on your iOS device. PayPal's app icon has the interlocking classic double PayPal "P" on a dark blue background. It also has the PayPal title below it.
- Log into your account, if you haven't done so already. Make sure that you're logged into the account where the debit card is attached - if you have more than one PayPal account.
2
Tap the "Wallet" tab. You can find this tab in the bottom right corner, directly to the right of Deals. Here you'll find all the cards and a listing of your PayPal balance account (for your convenience), and where you can find the card.

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3
Tap the "Debit Card" choice. The Debit Card choice is behind the PayPal balance's big card in the center of the screen.
- There's also a smaller PayPal Debit Card choice near the top of the screen, that will get you to the same location.
4
Tap the Manage button. The Manage button is directly to the right of the Activity tab, about three-quarters of the way down the screen, above the list of PayPal offers and Rewards points.
5
Locate and tap the slider bar. You will need to tap the slider to the right of the "Lock card" option.
6
Wait for the slider button to turn blue. Doing this effectively locks your card, and if you have PayPal's Apple Wallet (mobile) cards, it will lock these cards too.
- Once it's been locked, you'll receive an email saying that it is locked, to the email listed on this PayPal account.
7
Unlock your card when ready. Tap the colored slider to "Lock card" to unlock the card. Doing so effectively unlocks the card so it can be used again - including your card to Apple Wallets too.
- You will receive a second email once this has been done too, saying the card is now unlocked and you are free to use the card at any merchant.