# Is the Apple Card Hard to Get Approved For? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/are-apple-cards-hard-to-get/ - Published: 2023-11-07 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Business & Worth](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/worth/) --- The short answer is yes – the Apple Card‘s approval requirements mean many applicants will initially be denied. But with some perseverance and responsible credit building, approval can be attained over time. As an Apple enthusiast and early adopter, I was eager to get the Apple Card soon after its launch. However, my credit score of 680 and moderate income level meant my first application was quickly rejected. After taking steps to improve my credit profile, I was approved 6 months later on my second try. Based on my experience and research, getting approved for Apple Card can be challenging but is certainly possible for most people eventually. ## Why Approval for Apple Card is Difficult According to [Apple](https://www.apple.com/apple-card/), the card uses the FICO Score 9 model for credit evaluations during the application process. Approval generally requires a minimum score of **700**, which is in the good credit range. ThisTHRESHOLD puts approval out of reach for those with fair credit (scores 580-669) or even the lower end of good credit. Data from FICO shows only **40%** of consumers have scores of 700 or above, so most people will not qualify for Apple Card initially. | Credit Score Range | Approval Odds | | --- | --- | | 760-850 (Excellent) | Very High | | 700-759 (Good) | Moderate | | 650-699 (Fair) | Low | | Below 650 | Very Low | In addition to your credit report and history, income is also a key consideration. Having significant existing debts relative to your earnings (a high debt-to-income ratio) can negatively impact approval chances despite a good score. For rewards cards like Apple Card, issuers generally look for a minimum individual income of **$40,000 – $60,000** or **$70,000 – $100,000** for joint applicants. Those with incomes below these thresholds are less likely to be approved. ## Building Credit for Better Approval Odds If your score or income are not sufficient for immediate Apple Card approval, taking steps to strengthen your credit profile can significantly improve your chances of getting approved down the road. **Becoming an authorized user** on a partner or family member‘s established account is one of the easiest ways to build credit history and benefit from their good payment behavior. Their account activity will begin positively impacting your credit reports within a few months. Obtaining a secured credit card and making **on-time payments** every month is another effective strategy. Responsible use of a secured card demonstrates you can properly manage credit and will help your score gradually improve over 6-12 months. Avoid applying for multiple new accounts in a short span of time, as the hard inquiries can temporarily impact your score. Also, keep credit utilization low on other cards and pay balances off fully each month. ## My Experience Getting Approved When Apple Card first launched, I was eager to take advantage of its Daily Cash rewards and innovative app-based experience. However, my credit score was only 680 at the time and my income around $50k annually. Unsurprisingly, my application was quickly denied based on these qualifications being below the approval thresholds. I was disappointed but determined to get approved by improving my creditworthiness. Over the next 6 months, I paid down my student loan and car loan balances to lower my DTI ratio. I also became an authorized user on a family member’s card to benefit from their long credit history. Responsible use of the card helped increase my score to 720. When I applied again, I was happily approved for a $4,000 limit! While still moderate, this was enough for my needs. Responsibly using Apple Card and making on-time payments has helped my credit score improve to 750. Through this experience, I learned approval is a process but can be attained with perseverance. Building credit responsibly over time can make seemingly unattainable cards like Apple Card reachable. ## Is Getting Approved Worth the Effort? Given the stringent approval requirements, a fair question is whether pursuing Apple Card approval is ultimately worthwhile compared to easier to obtain starter cards. In my opinion, the answer is yes for several reasons. **Unique Features** – Apple Card offers benefits like up to 3% Daily Cash back (highest for Apple purchases), innovative spending tracking tools, and no fees. These perks are rare among secured cards and student cards targeted to new credit users. **Credit Building** – When used responsibly by keeping utilization low and making on-time payments, Apple Card can help build your credit through positive payment history reporting. This contributes to credit profile improvements that will make approval for future cards easier. **Worldwide Acceptance** – Apple Card utilizes the Mastercard payment network, so it can be used for purchases internationally. This is a key advantage over retail store secured cards. **Physical Card** – In addition to the digital card in Apple Wallet, approved users can request a sleek titanium Apple Card for use at retailers not yet accepting mobile payments. Having both physical and digital payment options provides maximum flexibility. While Apple Card likely won‘t be the first card for most, it remains a great option after establishing good credit habits and scores of 700+. With responsible use, the approval hurdles can serve as motivation for building creditworthiness to unlock Apple Card‘s innovative features and benefits when the time is right. --- Source: [Is the Apple Card Hard to Get Approved For?](https://33rdsquare.com/are-apple-cards-hard-to-get/)