How to Request a Higher Credit Limit on Your Apple Card
How Apple Card limit increases work
Apple Card doesn't have a fixed credit limit that stays the same forever. Instead, Goldman Sachs — the bank that issues your card — reviews your account periodically and may increase your limit on their own. You can also request an increase yourself through the Wallet app, and Goldman Sachs will decide whether to grant it based on your payment history, income, and credit report.
The process is straightforward: you ask through your phone, Goldman Sachs reviews your information, and you get an answer within minutes or hours. There's no application form to mail in or phone call required. If they say yes, your new limit takes effect immediately. If they say no, you can ask again later — usually after a few months have passed.
One important thing to know: requesting a limit increase triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is a formal check that temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. It stays on your report for about two years, though the impact fades after a few months. If you've requested increases recently from other lenders, adding another hard inquiry might not be worth it right now.
Key Takeaways
- You request a limit increase directly in the Wallet app by tapping your Apple Card, going to Card Details, and selecting the option to request an increase.
- Goldman Sachs reviews your request based on your payment history with Apple Card, your reported income, and your overall credit report — not just your Apple Card activity.
- A hard inquiry is performed when you request an increase, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points and stays on your report for two years.
- If Goldman Sachs declines your request, you can ask again after waiting a few months and demonstrating consistent on-time payments.
- Goldman Sachs may also increase your limit without you asking, based on how you use the card over time.
Where to find the request option in Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap your Apple Card. Swipe to the Card Details screen — you'll see your current credit limit displayed there. Below your limit, you should see an option that says something like "Request Credit Limit Increase" or "Increase Your Credit Limit." Tap that option to start the process.
If you don't see this option, it may mean Goldman Sachs has recently reviewed your account and decided not to offer increases right now, or your account is too new. Apple Card accounts typically need to be open for at least a few months before you can request your first increase. If you're not seeing the option and your account is older than that, contact Apple Card support through the Wallet app to ask why.
What Goldman Sachs looks at when you request an increase
Goldman Sachs doesn't base their decision only on how you've used your Apple Card. They look at your entire financial picture. This includes how often you pay your Apple Card bill on time, how much of your current limit you typically use, your reported annual income, and what your credit report shows about your payment history with other lenders.
They also consider how long you've had the Apple Card and whether you've had any missed or late payments. If you've been using the card for six months or more, pay your bill in full or mostly in full each month, and have a good credit score, you're more likely to get approved for an increase. If you've missed payments, carry a high balance relative to your limit, or recently had a hard inquiry from another lender, they may decline.
Your income matters, but Goldman Sachs doesn't verify it the way a mortgage lender does. They use the income you reported when you applied for the card. If your income has changed significantly since then, you can update it in the Wallet app before requesting an increase — this may improve your chances.
The hard inquiry and what it means for your credit score
When you request a limit increase, Goldman Sachs performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This is different from a soft inquiry, which doesn't affect your score. A hard inquiry typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points, though the exact impact depends on your credit profile and how many recent inquiries you have.
The hard inquiry stays on your credit report for two years, but its impact on your score fades after about three to six months. After that time, it has almost no effect on your creditworthiness. However, if you've requested increases from multiple lenders in a short period, the combined effect of multiple hard inquiries can add up and make you look riskier to future lenders.
Before you request an increase, think about whether you're planning to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months. If you are, it might be worth waiting until after that application is approved, since multiple hard inquiries close together can hurt your chances of getting approved or getting a good interest rate.
What to do if your request is declined
If Goldman Sachs says no to your request, don't worry — you can ask again later. Most people can request another increase after waiting two to three months. In the meantime, focus on the things that matter to Goldman Sachs: pay your Apple Card bill on time every month, keep your balance low relative to your limit, and avoid applying for new credit if you can.
If you were declined, Goldman Sachs may tell you why in the Wallet app. Common reasons include a recent missed payment, a high balance relative to your limit, or simply that your account is too new. If the reason was a missed payment, make sure you're paying on time going forward — after a few months of perfect payments, your chances improve significantly.
You can also try updating your income in the Wallet app if it has increased since you applied for the card. This won't trigger another hard inquiry, and it may help if your income was the limiting factor. After you've made these changes and waited a reasonable amount of time, you can request an increase again.
Automatic limit increases from Goldman Sachs
You don't always have to ask for a limit increase. Goldman Sachs periodically reviews Apple Card accounts and may increase your limit without you requesting it. This typically happens if you've been using the card responsibly for several months — paying on time, keeping your balance reasonable, and showing that you can handle credit responsibly.
When Goldman Sachs increases your limit automatically, they perform a soft inquiry, not a hard inquiry. A soft inquiry doesn't affect your credit score at all. You'll see the new limit reflected in your Wallet app, and you don't need to do anything to accept it.
The timing of automatic increases varies. Some people see an increase after three to six months of responsible use, while others may wait longer. There's no way to predict exactly when Goldman Sachs will review your account, but consistent on-time payments and low utilization make it more likely.
How high can your Apple Card limit go
Apple Card limits vary widely depending on your creditworthiness and income. Some people start with limits as low as $250, while others receive initial limits of $5,000 or more. There's no published maximum limit, but most people report limits in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 after requesting increases and building a history with the card.
Your limit isn't just about the number itself — it's about what you actually need. If you're using your Apple Card for everyday purchases and paying the balance off monthly, a $2,000 limit might be plenty. If you're using it for larger purchases or carrying a balance, you'd want a higher limit. Think about your actual spending patterns before requesting an increase, so you're not just chasing a bigger number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hear back after I request an increase?
Most decisions come back within minutes to a few hours. You'll see the result in the Wallet app as soon as Goldman Sachs has made a decision. In rare cases, it may take up to 24 hours, but this is uncommon. If you don't see a decision after a day, contact Apple Card support through the Wallet app.
Will requesting a limit increase hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by 5 to 10 points initially, and the impact fades after three to six months. After two years, the inquiry falls off your credit report entirely. If you're not planning to apply for other credit soon, the temporary dip is usually worth it if you need a higher limit.
Can I request a limit increase more than once?
Yes, but Goldman Sachs typically wants to see at least two to three months between requests. If you request too frequently, they may decline and ask you to wait longer. Focus on making on-time payments and keeping your balance low between requests to improve your chances of approval.
What if I want to lower my credit limit instead?
You can lower your limit through the Wallet app under Card Details. This doesn't hurt your credit score and can help if you want to limit your own spending. Lowering your limit won't affect your credit report or creditworthiness.
Does Apple Card report my limit and balance to credit bureaus?
Yes. Goldman Sachs reports your credit limit, balance, and payment history to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is how using Apple Card responsibly can help build your credit score over time, and why missed payments hurt it.