How to Request a Credit Limit Increase on Your Apple Card

How to request a higher credit limit on your Apple Card

You can request a credit limit increase on your Apple Card through the Wallet app on your iPhone, or by calling Goldman Sachs (the bank that issues the card) directly. Apple doesn't set your limit — Goldman Sachs does — so the bank will review your request based on your payment history, income, and credit report. The process takes a few minutes if you use the app, or about 10 to 15 minutes if you call.

Most people see a decision within a few days. Some get approved instantly. If you're denied, you can ask why and try again later, usually after a few months of on-time payments or a change in your financial situation.

Key Takeaways

• You can request a limit increase through the Wallet app by tapping your Apple Card, selecting the card details, and choosing the option to request an increase.
• Calling Goldman Sachs at the number on the back of your card is the other way to request an increase and may be faster if the app option isn't available to you.
• Goldman Sachs reviews your payment history, credit score, and reported income to decide whether to approve the increase.
• A hard inquiry (a check that temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points) may happen when you request an increase, though some issuers do soft inquiries instead.
• If you're denied, waiting three to six months and reapplying after on-time payments is usually more successful than applying again immediately.

Requesting an increase through the Wallet app

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap your Apple Card. Scroll down and look for an option that says "Credit Limit" or "Request Credit Limit Increase" — the exact wording varies depending on your account status and the current version of iOS. Tap that option.

You'll see your current limit and be asked to enter a new amount you'd like. Goldman Sachs will show you a range of what they might approve based on your account. Enter your requested amount and confirm. The app will tell you whether you've been approved, denied, or if a decision is pending. If pending, you'll usually hear back within a few business days through a notification in the Wallet app or a call from Goldman Sachs.

Not everyone sees the request option in the app at all times. If you don't see it, the bank may have recently reviewed your account or may require you to call instead.

Calling Goldman Sachs to request an increase

The phone number for Apple Card customer service is on the back of your physical card. When you call, tell the representative you want to request a credit limit increase. Have your Social Security number, current income, and employment information ready — they'll ask for these to review your request.

The call usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The representative will explain what they're reviewing and may tell you on the spot whether you're approved or denied. If they need more time, they'll give you a timeline for when you'll hear back.

Calling can sometimes be faster than using the app if you have questions about what limit to request or want to understand why a previous request was denied.

What Goldman Sachs looks at when reviewing your request

The bank reviews four main things: your payment history with the Apple Card (whether you've paid on time), your credit score (pulled from the three major credit bureaus), your reported income, and how much of your current limit you're using. If you've had the card for at least a few months, made all payments on time, and aren't using most of your current limit, you're more likely to be approved.

If you're using 80% or more of your limit regularly, Goldman Sachs may see a request as riskier and deny it. In that case, paying down your balance before requesting an increase can improve your chances.

Your income matters too. If you reported a lower income when you opened the card and your situation has improved, mentioning that during your request can help. You don't need to provide tax returns or pay stubs unless the bank asks.

Hard inquiries versus soft inquiries

When you request a credit limit increase, Goldman Sachs may do a hard inquiry — a formal check of your credit report that appears on your credit history and typically lowers your credit score by a few points temporarily. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but stops affecting your score after three to six months.

Some banks do a soft inquiry instead, which doesn't show up on your credit report and doesn't affect your score. Goldman Sachs sometimes does soft inquiries for existing cardholders, but there's no way to know in advance which type they'll use. If you're concerned about the impact on your score, you can ask the representative before they process the request.

What to do if your request is denied

If Goldman Sachs denies your request, ask the representative or check the notification in the Wallet app for the reason. Common reasons include a recent hard inquiry (the bank may have just checked your credit), a missed or late payment, high credit utilization, or insufficient time with the card.

If the reason is a missed payment or high utilization, focus on fixing that first. Pay down your balance to below 30% of your limit and make all payments on time for the next three to six months. Then request an increase again.

If the reason is that you haven't had the card long enough, wait at least six months from when you opened it before requesting again. If the reason is a recent hard inquiry, wait at least 30 days before requesting again, since multiple inquiries in a short time can hurt your chances.

How often you can request an increase

There's no official rule from Goldman Sachs about how often you can request an increase, but applying more than once every 30 days is unlikely to help and may hurt your chances. Each request triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time signal to the bank that you're seeking credit aggressively.

A reasonable approach is to request an increase once every three to six months if you've been denied, or once a year if you've been approved and want to build your limit further. If you're approved, you don't need to request again unless you actually need a higher limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will requesting a credit limit increase hurt my credit score?

A hard inquiry may lower your score by a few points temporarily, usually for three to six months. The impact is small compared to other factors like payment history and credit utilization. If Goldman Sachs does a soft inquiry instead, there's no impact at all.

How long does it take to learn about I'm approved?

If you request through the app, you may get an instant decision or a decision within a few business days. If you call, you might hear back on the spot or within a few days. Goldman Sachs will notify you through the Wallet app or by phone.

Can I request a specific amount or does the bank suggest one?

You can request any amount, but the Wallet app usually shows you a range that Goldman Sachs thinks you might be approved for based on your account. Requesting within that range is more likely to succeed than requesting far above it.

What if I just opened my Apple Card?

Most banks want to see at least three to six months of payment history before they'll consider a limit increase. If you just opened your card, wait at least three months, make all payments on time, and keep your utilization low before requesting an increase.

Does requesting an increase affect my existing limit?

No. If you're denied, your current limit stays the same. If you're approved, your limit increases to the new amount. Your existing limit is never lowered because you requested an increase.