During checkout (before confirming payment): Tap on the current payment method shown in the checkout screen, select a different payment option from the list that appears, then proceed with payment.
For future orders (managing saved methods): Go to Account → Payment Options → Add or remove payment methods → Set a default if desired.
After order is placed: You CANNOT change the payment method. Once payment processes, it’s locked to that method. You’d need to cancel the order and place a new one.
When You Can vs. Cannot Change Payment Method
CAN change:
- ✓ During checkout, before clicking “Pay Now”
- ✓ Before placing an order (managing saved payment methods)
- ✓ When payment fails and you retry checkout
CANNOT change:
- ✗ After clicking “Pay Now” and payment processes
- ✗ After order is confirmed and created
- ✗ Once money has been charged
- ✗ During active payment processing
Understanding the limitation: Once you click “Pay Now” and the payment successfully processes (takes 2-10 seconds), the transaction is complete. The payment method is locked. You’d need to cancel the order and get a refund, then place a new order with the different payment method.
How to Change Payment Method During Checkout
This is the most common scenario – you’re about to buy something and want to use a different payment method:
Step 1: Add items to cart Browse and add products as usual.
Step 2: Tap shopping cart icon Bottom right corner of the app, or from your cart page.
Step 3: Review items and tap “Buy Now” or “Check Out”
Step 4: Verify shipping address Make sure your delivery address is correct. Tap “Confirm” or proceed.
Step 5: Look for the Payment Method section Scroll down on the checkout page. You’ll see a section that says:
- “Payment Method” or
- “Select Payment” or
- Shows your current payment method (e.g., “Credit Card •••• 1234”)
Step 6: Tap on the payment method section The entire section is tappable. Tap anywhere in that area.
Step 7: Payment options appear A new screen or bottom sheet slides up showing all available payment methods:
- Credit/Debit Cards (saved and option to add new)
- PayPal
- Apple Pay (if on iPhone)
- Google Pay (if on Android)
- Local payment methods (varies by country)
Step 8: Select your preferred payment method Tap the one you want to use.
If selecting a saved card:
- Simply tap it
- It becomes selected (checkmark appears)
- Tap “Confirm” or back button to return to checkout
If adding a new card:
- Tap “Add Card” or “+ Add New Card”
- Enter card number, expiration date, CVV, cardholder name
- Tap “Save” or “Add”
- Card appears in the list
- Select it
- Return to checkout
If selecting PayPal:
- Tap “PayPal”
- It becomes selected
- When you complete checkout, you’ll be redirected to PayPal to log in
If selecting digital wallet (Apple/Google Pay):
- Tap the wallet option
- It becomes selected
- When you complete checkout, authentication screen appears
Step 9: Verify the change Back on the checkout screen, confirm the payment method now shows your new selection.
Step 10: Review total and complete purchase Scroll to bottom, review order total, tap “Pay Now” or “Confirm Payment”
Step 11: Complete authentication Depending on method selected:
- Card: May require 3D Secure verification
- PayPal: Log in and confirm
- Apple/Google Pay: Use biometric or PIN
Step 12: Wait for confirmation Order completes and confirmation screen appears.
How to Manage Saved Payment Methods
To add, remove, or change default payment methods for future use:
Step 1: Open AliExpress app
Step 2: Tap “Account” Bottom right icon (profile/person icon).
Step 3: Find payment settings Look for one of these options (naming varies by app version):
- “Payment Options”
- “Payment Methods”
- “Cards & Payment”
- May be under “Settings” or “Account Settings“
Step 4: Tap to open payment management
Step 5: View existing payment methods You’ll see a list of saved cards and payment options.
To Add a New Payment Method:
Step 1: Tap “Add Card” or “+ Add Payment Method”
Step 2: Choose payment type:
- Credit/Debit Card
- Bank Account (if available)
- Other methods depending on region
Step 3: For cards, enter details:
- Card number (16 digits)
- Expiration date (MM/YY)
- CVV (3 digits on back, 4 on front for Amex)
- Cardholder name (as it appears on card)
- Billing address (must match card’s billing address)
Step 4: Tap “Save” or “Add Card”
Step 5: Verification may be required
- Bank may send verification code
- Small authorization charge (refunded immediately)
- 3D Secure setup
Step 6: Card is saved and appears in your list
To Remove a Payment Method:
Step 1: In Payment Options, tap on the card you want to remove
Step 2: Look for “Remove,” “Delete,” or trash icon Usually in top right or bottom of card details.
Step 3: Tap “Remove” or “Delete”
Step 4: Confirm deletion “Are you sure?” prompt appears.
Step 5: Tap “Yes” or “Confirm”
Step 6: Card is removed from saved methods
To Set a Default Payment Method:
Step 1: In Payment Options, tap on the card you want as default
Step 2: Look for “Set as Default” option May be a toggle switch or button.
Step 3: Enable/tap “Set as Default”
Step 4: This card is now selected automatically at checkout You can still change to a different method during checkout if needed.
Why Your Payment Method Might Not Change
Problem 1: Payment method not appearing in list
Possible causes:
- Method not available in your country
- Seller doesn’t accept that payment type
- Order value outside method’s limits
- Payment service technical issues
Solutions:
- Check if method works in your country
- Try different seller
- Split large orders into smaller ones
- Try different payment method entirely
Problem 2: Can’t add new payment method
Possible causes:
- Card details entered incorrectly
- Billing address doesn’t match card
- Card expired or invalid
- Bank blocking the authorization
- AliExpress account verification issues
Solutions:
- Double-check all details
- Verify billing address matches exactly
- Try a different card
- Contact your bank to authorize
- Verify your AliExpress account is complete
Problem 3: Payment option grayed out/not selectable
Possible causes:
- Payment method temporarily unavailable
- Technical issue with payment processor
- Account limitations or restrictions
Solutions:
- Try again in 30 minutes
- Update app to latest version
- Clear app cache: Phone Settings → Apps → AliExpress → Clear Cache
- Use different payment method
- Contact AliExpress support
Problem 4: Selected method doesn’t stay selected
Possible causes:
- App glitch
- Session timeout
- Technical issue
Solutions:
- Close and restart app
- Clear app cache
- Update app
- Try on desktop website instead
- Complete checkout quickly after selecting method
Changing Payment Method for Different Scenarios
Scenario 1: Payment Failed, Want to Try Different Method
What happened: You tried to pay, it failed, now you want to use a different card or PayPal.
What to do:
Step 1: When payment failure message appears You’ll see “Payment Failed” notification.
Step 2: Tap “Try Again” or “Retry Payment”
Step 3: You’re back at checkout Cart items still there, order not created yet.
Step 4: Change payment method Follow the steps in “How to Change Payment Method During Checkout” above.
Step 5: Try payment again With new method selected.
Scenario 2: Want to Use Different Method Than Default
What happened: You have a default payment method saved, but want to use a different one for this specific purchase.
What to do:
Step 1: Go through checkout normally
Step 2: At payment selection Your default method will be pre-selected.
Step 3: Tap on payment method section
Step 4: Select different method Choose the one you want for this order.
Step 5: Complete purchase
Result:
- This order uses the method you selected
- Your default remains unchanged for future orders
- Next time, default will be pre-selected again
Scenario 3: Security Concern – Want to Remove/Change Card
What happened: You’re concerned your saved card details might be compromised, or you lost your card and got a new one.
What to do:
Step 1: Go to Account → Payment Options
Step 2: Find the old/compromised card
Step 3: Delete it Tap on it → Delete/Remove
Step 4: Add new card Follow “To Add a New Payment Method” steps above.
Step 5: Set new card as default if desired
Step 6: Complete Old card is removed, new card is ready to use.
Scenario 4: After Order Placed – Want to Change (NOT POSSIBLE)
What happened: You paid, order is confirmed, now you realize you want to use a different payment method.
The reality: You cannot change payment method after order is placed and paid.
Your only options:
Option A: Keep the order with current payment method Accept that this method was used, continue as normal.
Option B: Cancel order and reorder
- Cancel the order (if not shipped yet)
- Wait for refund (3-15 days)
- Place new order with different payment method
Considerations:
- Price might change
- Item might sell out
- Shipping time starts over
- Refund takes time to process
Recommendation: Only do this if it’s critical to use different payment method. Usually not worth the hassle.
Payment Method Priority and Selection
How AliExpress selects payment method:
1. Last used method (most recent order) The method you used on your last order is often pre-selected.
2. Default method (if set) If you designated a default, it’s selected at checkout.
3. Most commonly used method AliExpress tracks which method you use most frequently.
4. First added method If no default and no recent use, your oldest saved method might be selected.
You can always override: Regardless of what’s pre-selected, you can change it during checkout every single time.
App vs. Website Differences
Payment method changes work similarly on both, but:
App advantages:
- Faster to access checkout
- Biometric authentication for digital wallets
- Saved methods load faster
- Push notifications for payment issues
Website advantages:
- Larger screen to review details
- Easier to compare multiple payment options
- Copy-paste card details more easily
- Sometimes more payment options visible at once
Functionality is the same: You can change payment methods on both app and website with essentially the same process.
Security Considerations
When changing or adding payment methods:
Keep information secure:
- Only add cards on secure internet connection
- Never use public WiFi when entering payment details
- Verify you’re on real AliExpress app (not fake/phishing)
- Enable app lock or biometric security
Card information storage:
- AliExpress stores encrypted card details
- Full card number is never shown (only last 4 digits)
- CVV is never stored (you re-enter for each purchase)
- You can delete saved cards anytime
Best practices:
- Regularly review saved payment methods
- Remove old/expired cards
- Use strong password for AliExpress account
- Enable two-factor authentication if available
- Monitor bank statements for unauthorized charges
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: “Payment method not supported”
Solution:
- Check if method works in your country
- Verify seller accepts this method
- Try different payment option
- Contact AliExpress support for clarification
Issue: App keeps crashing when selecting payment
Solution:
- Update app to latest version
- Clear app cache
- Restart phone
- Reinstall app if problem persists
- Use website temporarily
Issue: Card declined repeatedly with different methods
Solution:
- Contact your bank (most common cause)
- Check card balance/limit
- Verify billing address matches
- Try PayPal instead
- Use different card entirely
Issue: Can’t remove old payment method
Solution:
- Make sure it’s not set as default (change default first)
- Ensure no pending payments using that method
- Try on website instead of app
- Contact AliExpress support if stuck
Tips for Smooth Payment Method Changes
Before checkout:
- Verify saved payment methods are current
- Remove expired cards
- Test payment method with small purchase if unsure
- Have backup method available
During checkout:
- Review payment method before clicking “Pay Now”
- Don’t rush – verify you selected correct method
- Check that total charge will go to intended card/account
- Screenshot confirmation for records
After checkout:
- Verify correct method was charged (check email receipt)
- Check bank/PayPal statement within 24 hours
- Report any discrepancies immediately
Quick Reference Guide
To change during checkout: Checkout screen → Tap payment method section → Select new method → Confirm
To add new method: Account → Payment Options → Add Card → Enter details → Save
To remove method: Account → Payment Options → Tap card → Delete → Confirm
To set default: Account → Payment Options → Tap card → Set as Default
To change after payment: Not possible – must cancel order and reorder
Takeaway
Change your payment method on the AliExpress app by tapping the payment method section during checkout and selecting a different option from the list. You can do this at any point before clicking “Pay Now” – even if payment failed and you’re retrying.
To manage saved payment methods for future orders, go to Account → Payment Options where you can add new cards, remove old ones, and set a default method.
The critical timing: you must change payment method BEFORE payment processes. Once you click “Pay Now” and the charge goes through (takes just seconds), the payment method is locked and cannot be changed. You’d need to cancel the entire order and place a new one if you absolutely need to use a different payment method.
Always verify you’ve selected the correct payment method before confirming your purchase – it’s much easier to change it during checkout than to cancel and reorder later.