Capital One Credit Cards – Made for Real Life
Just received your new Capital One credit card? Great! The final step before you start using it is to activate your card. It’s fast, secure, and only takes a few minutes. Whether you prefer using your phone or computer, Capital One makes the activation process simple.
Before you begin, have the following ready:
Your new Capital One credit card
Your Social Security Number or Account Info
Access to the Capital One website or mobile app
Follow these easy steps:
Visit capitalone.com/activate
Log in to your Capital One account
Don’t have an account? Click “Enroll” and follow the steps to create one.
Select the card you want to activate
Enter the required information (like the 3-digit security code on the back)
Click “Activate”
That’s it! Your card is now active and ready to use.
Download the Capital One Mobile app (Available on Google Play or App Store)
Log in or create an account
Tap on your new card
Follow the instructions to activate
Using the app also lets you check balances, view transactions, make payments, and more.
If you prefer activating by phone:
Call 1-800-227-4825 (Capital One Customer Service)
Follow the automated instructions
Have your card number and personal details ready
This option is great if you don’t have internet access.
Once your card is active, you can:
Make purchases in-store or online
Set up autopay for monthly bills
Track your credit score with CreditWise
Customize alerts and security settings in your app
Add your card to mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
Q:1 Do I need to activate my replacement card too?
Yes. Even replacement cards need activation through the same steps above.
Q:2 Can I use my card before activation?
No. You must activate the card before it will work for purchases.
Q:3 What if I lost my card before activating?
Call Capital One immediately at 1-800-227-4825 to report it.