VISA Notice: The VISA payment network started blocking foreign issue VISA cards for Apple Pay In-App use with Suica, PASMO and ICOCA in August 2022. Blocked cards show a ‘Payment Not Completed’ error when attempting to add money in Wallet. The VISA payment network unblocked Apple Pay Suica Wallet app recharge on iPhone with iOS 17.2 and later, but the issue is ongoing for PASMO and ICOCA.
Here’s the current situation based on user feedback:
iOS 17.2 Update
Non-JP VISA credit cards are working again for Apple Pay Suica recharge in Wallet app after updating to iOS 17.2 or later. The downside is that the iOS 17.2 and later requirement effectively limits non-JP VISA use with Suica to iPhone XS and later. The upside is that Mobile Suica transactions route to the card issuer user account instead of being blocked by the VISA payment network in Japan. This is an important difference as VISA problems with Suica can be resolved at the user account level with the card issuer which the user has some control over.
If VISA is not working, check your card issuer for fraud alerts or temporary declines that need clearing, some users report having the card issuer specifically whitelist Mobile Suica Apple merchant transactions. Direct Suica recharge on Apple Watch Wallet is still NG, but recharge using the iPhone Watch App (iOS 17.2 and later) works: select the Suica card in Watch app Wallet, tap card details, tap Add Money.
New developments will be posted to this page, credit card experiences and feedback from users is welcome and much appreciated.
Updated 2024-04-22 JST
Intro
Basic Q&A troubleshooting issues are covered on the JR East Suica Apple Pay English language support page, the PASMO Apple Pay English language support page, and the Japanese only Apple Pay ICOCA page.
Common issues are explained below in more detail are: (1) network issues when adding money to Suica with Apple Pay, (2) trying to add a Suica card or add money with Apple Pay during the nightly Mobile Suica • PASMO • ICOCA service maintenance downtime window that runs 2 am ~ 4 am JST. Always make sure you have a robust network connection and are doing operations outside of 2 am ~ 4 am JST system maintenance.
- Recharge and Network Issues
- Bricked Device
- Plastic card fails to transfer
- Transfer to new iPhone issues
- Transit gate issues
Recharge and Network Issues
The majority of Apple Pay Suica • PASMO issues are due to poor network connection issues, usually when using free WiFi, auto-connect carrier WiFi, or in crowded areas with maxed out mobile connectivity. Always make sure your device has a robust internet connection when recharging in Wallet app, especially when using Suica or PASMO apps.
When recharging a Suica or PASMO card with a poor network connection, Wallet appears to hang during the process. When recharge fails or hangs, don’t panic. Cancel the recharge process by hitting the sleep button, then check to make sure iPhone has a robust network connection: turn off WiFi and use 4G • 5G. Toggle Airplane Mode on and off to clear a bad mobile connection. When you have confirmed a robust network connection try recharge again.
One important thing to remember about recharge: if you see failed charges on your credit or debit card, these are temporary charges that are automatically removed by the Mobile Suica • PASMO • ICOCA system during the 2 am ~ 4 am JST nightly system maintenance period. Temporary charges on your card are erased but the removal may not immediately show on your card account, contact your card company to confirm.
If you still have recharge hang problems do this first:
- Make sure you have the latest iOS • watchOS installed
- Restart iPhone or Apple Watch and make sure they are paired
- Make sure your iPhone has a robust internet connection.
- Make sure you are not in the Mobile Suica / Mobile PASMO / Mobile ICOCA 1 am~5 am JST maintenance window.
- It’s also a good idea to check Apple’s Japanese System Status page to make sure Apple Pay & Wallet services are online and not experiencing local region issues.
If you still have recharge issues follow these additional steps (note that you cannot do these steps if you are in transit and have not tapped out at your final destination):
- Confirm that you are logged into the same Apple ID used to add Suica • PASMO • ICOCA
- Open Wallet > select Suica, PASMO or ICOCA > tap the more button ‘…’ > scroll to the bottom of the card > tap ‘Remove this card’.
- Wait 5 minutes.
- Tap add card ‘+’ in Wallet, tap Previous Cards in Add to Wallet screen
- Select your Suica, PASMO or ICOCA in the Previous Cards screen, tap Continue.
- In Add Card the Suica, PASMO or ICOCA you removed from Wallet should be showing with the balance, tap Next to complete.
If recharge still fails, download and open Suica App or PASMO App. It may display an error number or a red exclamation mark. Tap the red explanation mark if you see one on the card, then tap ‘OK’.
This operation will clear most error problems. Give it 10 minutes or so to clear the problem.
When the card remove operation appears hung
If the Suica•PASMO•ICOCA card removes from Wallet but appears hung as “Removing/Deleting” in the iCloud device list, or if Wallet says the card cannot be removed because it is “In Transit”, sign out of Apple ID on your iPhone, restart the device, then login with the same Apple ID.
Card Unavailable Message
In some cases you may get a Card Unavailable screen when attempting to re-add Suica•PASMO in Wallet:
This means there are some issues that the Mobile Suica / Mobile PASMO systems will clear during the maintenance period. Simply wait for the end of the next 2 am~4 am JST maintenance window, then re-add the card.
**Troubleshooting notice for Apple Pay Commuter Suica users: Suica App 3.0 has a new process for re-adding Commuter Suica cards. There are cases when re-adding a Commuter Suica to Wallet when the stored fare balance will be 0. Don’t panic if this happens. The stored fare balance is not lost.
This is done so that commuter passes can be re-added and used immediately even if there are remaining stored fare issues that will be fixed during the next Mobile Suica nightly maintenance reset. The previous stored fare balance is restored manually via the Suica Pocket option in Suica App and will show up as a Suica App notification.
Bricked iPhone
If your iPhone or Apple Watch becomes bricked due to damage the first step is following the same steps for a lost or wiped device: login to your Apple ID account on the web or from another trusted Apple ID device and remotely delete the Apple Pay cards from the bricked device.
Restoring Suica etc. is exactly the same as transferring Suica to a new iPhone. Once you successfully delete the card on the bricked device and are ready to restore the card to a new device, simply add the card using the iOS 15 or later Wallet app Previous Cards category.
Mobile Suica account users also have the option to reissue the Suica from a bricked device via the Mobile Suica members site. Once signed in you can check the online status and balance of the Suica card. Select the reissue option and follow the instructions. Users can also quit Mobile Suica and refund the remaining card balance to a Japanese bank account with a ¥220 handling fee.
Trouble transferring plastic Suica•PASMO•ICOCA to Wallet
If you have problems transferring a plastic Suica • PASMO • ICOCA card to Wallet there are documented tips on the Apple Support page If you can’t transfer Suica, PASMO or ICOCA cards to your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Trouble transferring Suica • PASMO • ICOCA to new iPhone
If you have problems with transferring Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA to a new iPhone see Move Suica to new iPhone or Recover Suica from a lost or wiped iPhone.
Transit Gate Issues
When exiting the last station the user failed to tap correctly. The gate will flash red with an alert sound but sometimes the user continues on leaving the Suica card status as ‘in transit’. The next time you enter a transit gate it flashes red with an alarm sound. Take your iPhone to the station attendant and they will reset it but they will have to deduct fare from your previous trip to reset the card. Be aware that you must do this at the station of the same company line used for the last trip. Suica, PASMO, ICOCA cards cannot be used again until you have settled the fare. You cannot at any station or different company line.
If you enter a transit gate with Suica but exit outside of the Suica/PASMO region, you will have to pay cash fare for the entire trip. The station attendant will give you a piece of paper validating that you paid the fare. When you are in the Suica/PASMO region again, give the paper and iPhone to a station attendant and they will reset it for you.
Suica • PASMO • ICOCA Support
Suica Intro page (English)
Apple Pay Suica Support (English)
Mobile Suica Support Portal (Japanese)
Use PASMO with Apple Pay • Support (English and Chinese)
Apple Pay ICOCA Support (Japanese)
Apple Support
Add a Suica PASMO or ICOCA card to Apple Wallet
Using Suica, PASMO or ICOCA in Japan
If you can’t transfer plastic Suica, PASMO or ICOCA cards to your iPhone
If your transit card balance doesn’t update in Apple Wallet
Support Tips by Topic
General
Basic Suica • PASMO Troubleshooting
Reactivate a locked Suica or PASMO
Suica • PASMO recharge tips
Transfer • Recover • Remove
Move Suica • PASMO to a new iPhone or Apple Watch
Recover Apple Pay Suica • PASMO from Lost or Wiped iPhone
Remove Suica • PASMO from Wallet but not lose them
Commute Plan Renewal • Purchase • Use
Suica • PASMO Apple Pay Commute Plan Guide
Suica • PASMO Apple Pay use when transfer protocol is in effect
Notifications and Sounds
Suica • PASMO Notification and Reminder Settings
Suica • PASMO Gate Sounds and What They Mean
Suica App • PASMO App
Unlocking Suica App Security Lock
Apple Pay Suica Paper Receipts
Suica • PASMO Withdrawal Refund with fee
Suica • PASMO Withdrawal for free
Other Topics
Fixing Suica • PASMO Lockout
Apple Pay Suica Battery FUD
Suica Inbound Battery Strategies
Mizuho Suica for Apple Pay
Apple Pay Express Mode with power reserve
Apple Pay Express Mode Tips
iPhone X NFC Problem
Mobile Suica Operational Hours (24 hour format)
Operational times for specific functions are listed. All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)
Basic services run 22 hours from 4:00 (am) to 2:00 (am), with a 2 hour system maintenance window. Special system maintenance schedules and other important Mobile Suica system info is posted here (Japanese only). Mobile PASMO and Mobile ICOCA operational hours are the same.
Account Registration
04:00~02:00 Create new Mobile Suica account
05:00~00:50 Register and transfer Suica commuter pass to Mobile Suica account
Stored Fare Balance
04:00~02:00 Wallet App or Suica App recharge*
*(Cash recharge at stations, 7-11 ATMs, convenience stores is always available 24/7)
04:00~02:00 Auto-Charge registration/change settings/cancel (VEIW CARD)
05:00~00:50 View transaction history in Suica App
05:00~00:50 Download PDF receipts from Mobile Suica members site
Suica Commute Plans
05:00~23:45 Purchase, renew, refund or change commute plan route
Suica Green Car Tickets
04:00~00:50 Purchase Green Car Tickets in Suica App
05:00~00:50 Refund Green Car Tickets in Suica App
Suica Day Pass
05:00~23:45 Purchase Day Pass in Suica App
05:00~23:45 Refund Day Pass in Suica App
Other
05:00~23:45 Mobile Suica reissue
04:00~02:00 Transfer Suica to new device
05:00~23:45 Suica withdrawal refund
Last update: 2024-04-15
You must be logged in to post a comment.