Apple Pay Services Are Currently Unavailable: How to Fix It

There are several fixes that can solve the problem of seeing an Apple Pay Services are Currently Unavailable message when trying to use the app. A simple restart or update of your iPhone can often resolve the issue. 

This post will explore how to fix the issue of seeing an Apple Pay Services are Currently Unavailable message. I’ll walk you through the steps for several different fixes so you can continue to use Apple pay quickly and effectively. 

Let’s get to it. 

Key Takeaways

  • There are several different reasons why you might be seeing an Apple Pay Services are Currently Unavailable message and several various potential fixes. 
  • A quick restart of your iPhone can often fix this issue, as can updating the software. 
  • If you don’t have cell service or WiFi, you might be seeing this message. Apple Pay will only work if your iPhone is connected to a network. 
  • If you can’t figure out the problem after attempting several fixes, you should consider contacting Apple Customer Support. 

How to Fix Apple Pay Services being Currently Unavailable 

There are several ways to fix the issue of Apple Pay Services being currently unavailable, and most are pretty simple. You might need to attempt several of the fixes outlined below to resolve the issue. 

Fix #1 – Apple Pay Service Down

If the entire Apple Pay system is down, there isn’t much you can do to fix it. You can check the entire system’s status directly through Apple, which is a good first step to look into before attempting other fixes. 

If the system is down, you just need to sit and wait for things to get resolved. Once it’s back up and running, you can use Apple Pay as usual again. 

Fix #2 – Check for Cell and WiFi Service

If you don’t have cell or WiFi service, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay or many other connectivity features on your iPhone. If you are in a dead zone, this is likely why you see the Apple Pay Services are currently unavailable message. 

To fix this issue, you must get cell or WiFi service restored. You might need to switch between the two or find a different location with better service. 

Fix #3 – Restart your iPhone

Sometimes you might run into this issue because of a glitch or error with your phone or its software. A quick restart of your iPhone can fix things up and allow you to use Apple Pay services again in minutes. 

You can restart your iPhone by turning it off and then turning it back on again. You can also perform a hard restart, which can be better for ironing out larger errors and glitches. 

Fix #4 – Update iOS

Similar to restarting your iPhone, an update of iOS might be the reason why you can’t use Apple Pay services. You should get in the habit of updating your iPhone regularly and can also set it up for automatic updates if you want. 

To update your iPhone iOS, follow these steps: 

1. Tap the Settings app

2. Tap General 

3. Tap Software Update

4. Tap Install Now if an update is available 

Fix #6 – Verify Identity and/or Update Payment Information

If you don’t have your identity verified with Apple Pay or have outdated payment or billing information, this also might be why you are unable to use Apple Pay. 

You’ll typically receive a different message indicating that you need to verify your identity or update this information rather than your iPhone simply stating that Apple Pay services are down. 

Even so, it doesn’t hurt to check that your current information is up to date. You can do this in the Settings or Wallet app on your iPhone. If any changes need to be made, do them and then check to see if Apple Pay is working correctly. 

Fix #7 – Turn off VPN

Using a VPN with your iPhone can prevent you from using some other services, such as Apple Pay. You’ll need to turn off the VPN to see if this is the issue, which can be done from the Settings app on your iPhone. 

To turn off a VPN on your iPhone, follow these steps: 

1. Tap the Settings app on your iPhone

2. Tap General

3. Scroll down and tap VPN & Device Management

4. Check to see if you have a VPN turned on from the list of devices

5. Disconnect from the VPN if necessary

Fix #8- Log in and out of Apple ID

Another fix you can attempt is to log in and out of your Apple ID. This is like an internal reset of your Apple ID settings and can sometimes fix the issue of Apple Pay services not being available. 

Follow these steps to log in and out of your Apple ID on your iPhone: 

1. Tap the Settings app on your iPhone

2. Tap your name or username associated with your Apple ID at the top of the settings screen

3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out

4. Close out of the Settings menu and open it back up

5. Tap on the Apple ID at the top of the screen

6. Log back into your Apple ID account using your username and password

Apple Pay Customer Service

If none of the fixes above worked, it’s time to get some outside help. You should contact Apple Customer Service directly. You should be able to reach a support tech quickly, and they can work with you to resolve the issue. 

Sometimes the techs will see the problem quickly or they might walk you through a few steps to resolve the issue. Just be patient and follow their directions to reach a solution as quickly as possible.  

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Apple Pay services being unavailable and how to fix it. 

Why does it say my Apple Pay is currently unavailable? 

There are multiple reasons why your iPhone might say that Apple Pay is currently unavailable. If you don’t have cell service or a WiFi connection, this might be part of the reason. You also might need to update the information associated with your Apple Pay account. 

Why are my Apple Cash services unavailable? 

Your Apple Cash services can be unavailable for many of the same reasons your Apple Pay services don’t work, such as wrong or missing payment information or a glitch. There are numerous potential fixes to this problem. 

Are Apple Pay services down? 

Sometimes there are system-wide failures with Apple Pay services that result in you being unable to use the feature. This is rare and usually resolved quickly, and you check on the current status of the Apple Pay system at any point. 

Final Thoughts

Usually, you can quickly fix the issue of Apple Pay Services being unavailable. There are several fixes that could resolve the issue, so be sure to run through every one outlined here. 

It’s good to start with simple solutions, such as restarting your phone or waiting until you have a signal first. This will help save you time when troubleshooting the issue. 

Have you ever dealt with this issue with Apple Pay? How did you fix it? Let me know in the comments below. 

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