Both Apple Pay and Google Pay prioritize your privacy and security by replacing your actual card number with a unique virtual card number (also known as a token). Here’s how each system works, how to view your virtual details, and what to expect with refunds or virtual-card-on-virtual-card setups.
🍎 Apple Pay Virtual Cards
How It Works
When you add a physical or virtual card to Apple Pay, Apple doesn’t use your real card number (the Primary Account Number, or PAN) for transactions.
Instead, Apple and your bank or card issuer create a Device Account Number (DAN) - sometimes referred to as a virtual card number.
This Device Account Number is unique to your device and card combination.
It’s securely stored in the Secure Element chip on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Each transaction generates a one-time dynamic security code, meaning even that device number isn’t directly shared with merchants.
✅ The DAN remains the same for each device, but the transaction tokens change every time you pay.
🔢 Viewing Your Apple Pay Virtual Card Number
Apple hides most of the Device Account Number for security reasons, but you can view its last four digits:
On iPhone
Open the Wallet app.
Tap the card you want to view.
Tap the “…” (More) button.
Scroll to Card Information or Device Account Number - you’ll see the last four digits.
On Apple Watch
Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to Wallet & Apple Pay.
Tap the card.
You’ll see the Device Account Number (last four digits).
🧩 If You Use Apple Pay with a Virtual Card
If your original card is already virtual (for example, from Revolut, Wise, or a bank’s instant digital card):
You now have two layers of virtualization - your bank’s virtual card number plus Apple’s Device Account Number.
The number Apple stores and uses for payment is different from your bank’s virtual card number.
As a result, merchants or refund receipts may display a different card ending, even though it’s the same Apple Pay card.
🤖 Google Pay Virtual Cards
How It Works
When you pay with Google Pay, your actual card number (PAN) isn’t shared with merchants.
Instead, Google uses a virtual account number (also called a tokenized card number) created in partnership with your bank or card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.).
When you add a card to Google Pay, your bank or network issues a unique virtual number tied to that specific device.
Each transaction uses a dynamic security code (a one-time cryptogram).
Your actual card details are never stored or shared with the merchant.
The virtual card number stays the same for that device and card, while the transaction tokens change each time.
✅ So yes, it’s virtual - but Google doesn’t create a new card number for every purchase, only new transaction tokens.
🔎 Viewing Your Google Pay Virtual Card Number
On Android (Google Wallet app):
Open Google Wallet.
Select the card you used.
Tap the three dots (⋮) or Card details.
You’ll see the last 4 digits of your Virtual Account Number (sometimes labeled Virtual Card Number or Tokenized Card Number).
These digits will differ from the ones printed on your physical or digital card.
🧩 If You Paid with a Virtual Bank Card
If your card is already virtual (e.g., Revolut, Wise, or Monzo digital-only cards):
Google Pay still creates its own virtual token number for that card.
You’ll have two layers of virtualization - your bank’s virtual number and Google’s tokenized number.
Merchants may only see Google’s tokenized number, not your bank’s.
💡 Refunds and Disputes
Refunds and disputes work the same for both Apple Pay and Google Pay:
Even if a different virtual or device number appears on receipts, refunds always return to your original card account.
Your bank or card issuer automatically matches the virtual number to your real account behind the scenes.
Please contact our support team so we can assist you further.