Apple’s highly-anticipated foray into banking has officially launched in the States, and with it, a set of guidelines about cleaning and maintaining your Apple Card. Although Apple Card is actually a digital service linked to your iPhone and Apple account, users also receive a physical, personalised card.
The Apple Card is made entirely from titanium, laser etched with your name. The front of the card does not have a card number or an expiration date listed. You also won’t find a CVV or signature area on the rear of the card.
The first card with a disclaimer
With physical Apple Cards now making their way to Apple Card users, Apple has published a few tips for cleaning, caring for and storing the titanium card with its specialised finish. That’s so… Apple of them.
If the Apple Card were to get a bit grimy, Apple suggests using a lint-free microfiber cloth. Only the best for your Apple banking accessories, yeah? If you can afford to live in Apple’s ecosystem, you can keep a dedicated lint-free microfiber cloth in your Jeep.
As for your movements: Make sure to dampen the cloth slightly and wipe the card gently. Don’t use any ‘normal’ household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia or abrasives on your precious Apple Card. It’s sensitive, okay?
Store it in a glass case
Certain fabrics like leather and denim could permanently discolour the card’s matte white finish, which is achieved through a multi-layer coating process. That same coating might be damaged if it comes into contact with hard surfaces or materials. Which is why Apple found it appropriate to publish its guidelines.
Apple warns against storing your Apple Card in the same pocket/sleeve as your other cards. We think Mashable’s got a point in their take: “Don’t let your precious Apple Card touch lesser credit cards…” We’re still trying to get our heads around the danger plastic credit cards could place a titanium card in, but okay.
Read More: Apple goes banking with the new digital (and not) Apple Card
Also, beware of magnets. Shockingly, the titanium, laser-etched Apple Card is (apparently) highly sensitive to magnetism. Placing it in close proximity to other magnets could render the magnetic strip useless. That seems like credit-card common sense but few, if any, other cards are made from metal. Even if it’s titanium, which doesn’t typically respond to magnetic forces, so we guess the mag-strip is the issue. Right, Apple?
If you don’t plan to keep your Apple Card displayed in a glass case guarded by Apple-shaped minions, what are you even doing? Luckily, it doesn’t seem hard to replace the card, should you own one. And, if stolen, the bandit won’t have access to any of your funds without your iPhone and security passes. But we all know you don’t own one, yet. It’s only available in the US at the moment. We don’t know when (or even if) it’ll become available in South Africa.
Source: Apple blog via Apple Insider
