How to Change Payment Method on TikTok Ads

Running into a billing issue with your TikTok ads is frustrating, especially when it halts a well-performing campaign. Whether your card is expiring, you're switching to a business account, or you just need to update your details, changing your payment method in TikTok Ads Manager should be a quick fix. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add, update, and remove payment methods, and clarify the important differences between automatic and manual payment setups.

Understanding TikTok Ads Payment Options: Manual vs. Automatic

Before changing your payment settings, it's helpful to understand the two systems TikTok offers for funding your ad account. The choice between them happens when you first set up your ad account, and it’s a decision that has a big impact on your workflow.

Automatic Payment

This is the most common and straightforward method, similar to how billing works on platforms like Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Ads. With Automatic Payment, you add a card or PayPal account, run your ads, and TikTok bills you automatically.

Here’s how it works:

• Threshold Billing: TikTok will charge your payment method whenever your ad spend reaches a specific billing threshold (e.g., $20, $50, $100, etc.). This threshold increases over time as you build a consistent payment history.
• Monthly Billing: You will also be charged on a set monthly billing date for any remaining balance that hasn't hit a threshold.

Who is this best for?

Automatic payment is ideal for most advertisers, from small businesses to large agencies. It’s a "set it and forget it" system that ensures your campaigns keep running without you having to manually top up your account balance. This prevents interruptions and makes cash flow management more predictable.

Manual Payment

Manual payment operates like a prepaid or pay-as-you-go system. You add funds to your TikTok Ads Manager account *before* your campaigns can run. Your ads will draw from this prepaid balance as they spend.

Here’s how it works:

• Pre-funding: You add money to your account using a credit card, debit card, or other accepted methods.
• Spend Down: Your campaigns spend against this balance.
• Pausing Ads: If your balance runs out, all your ads will immediately pause until you add more funds.

Who is this best for?

This method is great for advertisers who need strict control over their budget. If you have a fixed monthly ad spend and want absolutely no chance of overspending, manual payments offer a foolproof way to stay within your limits. It is also common in regions where automatic credit card billing is less prevalent.

A Critical Note: You Cannot Switch Payment Types

This is arguably the most important thing to know about TikTok ad billing: You cannot change an ad account from Manual Payment to Automatic Payment, or vice versa, after it has been created.

If you set up your account with Manual Payment and later decide you want the convenience of Automatic Payment, your only option is to create a brand new TikTok ad account and select "Automatic Payment" during the setup process. This is a significant limitation, so it's best to choose the right payment type from the very beginning.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add a New Payment Method

If you're using Automatic Payments and simply need to add a new card or swap out an old one, the process is simple. You can add multiple payment methods to your account and designate one as the primary source for billing.

Here is exactly how to do it:

1. Log in to TikTok Ads Manager: Go to your Ads Manager dashboard.
2. Navigate to Account Settings: Click on your account avatar or name in the top-right corner of the dashboard screen. In the dropdown menu, select "Payment."
3. Access the Payment Methods Page: You will be taken to the "Payment" section of your Business Center or Ads Manager settings. Here, you'll see your current balance, billing information, and a list of existing payment methods.
4. Add New Payment Method: Click the button that says "Add Payment Method." This will open a new dialog box where you can input your new payment details.
5. Enter Your Card Details: Provide the credit or debit card information, including the card number, expiration date, CVV, and associated billing address. Double-check that all information is accurate to avoid any validation errors.
6. *If PayPal is available in your region as an option, you can select it and follow the prompts to log in and authorize the connection.*
8. Save Your Information: Once you've entered all the details, click "Submit" or "Save." TikTok will perform a small, temporary pre-authorization to verify that the card is valid (this is usually $1.00 or less and will be refunded quickly). The new card will now appear in your list of saved payment methods.

How to Set Your Primary Payment Method

Adding a new card doesn't automatically make it the default one for billing. If you now have multiple cards on file, you need to tell TikTok which one to charge. The primary method is the one TikTok will always try to charge first. Other cards act as a backup in case the primary one fails.

Here’s how to switch your default payment method:

1. Return to the "Payment" Page: Follow steps 1-3 from the section above to get back to your list of payment methods.
2. Identify the New Method: Find the new card or payment source you just added in the list.
3. Set as Primary: Beside the new payment method, you should see an option like "Set as Primary" or "Make Primary." Click on it.
4. Confirm Your Choice: A confirmation pop-up will appear asking you to confirm the change. Click "Confirm," and you're done. The "Primary" tag will now be next to your newly selected card.

How to Safely Remove an Old Payment Method

Once you’ve successfully added a new payment method and set it as your primary, it’s good practice to remove the old, inactive, or expired card to keep your account clean and secure.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to the "Payment" Section: Again, navigate to your list of payment methods in the Ads Manager.
2. Find the Old Card: Locate the card you want to delete from the list. You cannot remove a card if it is still set as your primary method. This is a safeguard to prevent accounts from being left without a way to pay for ads.
3. Click "Remove": Next to the card details, click the "Remove" or "Delete" option (sometimes represented by a trash can icon).
4. Confirm Removal: A dialog box will ask you to confirm that you want to permanently delete this payment method from your account. Click "Confirm." The old card will now be removed from your list.

Troubleshooting Common TikTok Payment Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some solutions to common problems advertisers face when managing their payment methods setup.

Problem: "My new card was declined or couldn't be added."

This is a frequent issue, and there are several potential causes:

• Typo in Card Details: The most common culprit. Go back and carefully re-enter your card number, CVV, expiration date, and billing address. A small mistake like a wrong zip code can cause a failure.
• Bank Flagged the Transaction: Since TikTok's payment processors might be international, your bank's fraud detection system could automatically block the transaction. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and let them know you are trying to add it to TikTok Ads. They can approve the transaction on their end.
• Insufficient Funds for Verification: The small pre-authorization hold (~$1) can fail if your account has a zero balance. Make sure there are at least a few dollars available.
• Incompatible Card Type: Not all card types are supported. For example, some prepaid cards may be rejected. Stick to major credit and debit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.

Problem: "I can't remove my old payment method."

If the "Remove" button is grayed out or a message appears saying you can't delete the card, it's almost always for one of these two reasons:

• It's Still the Primary Method: You cannot delete the account's only or primary payment source. First, add your new card and successfully set it as the primary. Once the old card is demoted to a secondary method, the "Remove" option will become available.
• There is an Outstanding Balance: If a recent payment failed or is still being processed on that card, TikTok may prevent its removal until the balance is cleared. Pay any outstanding amount using a different card, wait for it to process, and then try removing the old card again.

Problem: "My ad campaigns were paused for a 'payment failure'."

This happens immediately when TikTok tries to charge your primary card and it fails. Your ads will not resume until the issue is fixed.

To resolve this:

1. Update Your Payment Method: Go to the Payment section immediately. The system will likely show an "Amount Overdue." You can either retry the payment on the existing card (if it was a temporary bank issue) or click a "Pay Now" button and settle the balance with a new card.
2. Add a Backup Method: This is a pro tip. To prevent this in the future, add a second valid credit card to your account. If the primary card fails for any reason (like getting flagged for fraud on another purchase), TikTok's system will automatically try the backup card. This simple step can save your campaigns from being unintentionally paused.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your payment information current is a small but vital part of successful ad campaign management. By following the steps outlined here, you can quickly add, update, and organize your payment details in TikTok Ads Manager, fixing billing problems before they have a chance to disrupt your performance.

Once your ad billing is sorted out, you can get back to focusing on your content and audience engagement. We know that managing organic posts alongside paid campaigns can get overwhelming, which is why we built Postbase. After you've set up your ads, our visual calendar makes it easy to schedule your organic TikToks, Reels, and YouTube Shorts, so you get a single, clear view of your entire social presence and never miss a post.