Guides · 2 min read

Will a metal card work at ATMs and card machines?

Yes. Your own chip moves into the steel card, so you insert it at card machines and ATMs exactly like today. The one thing that changes is tap-to-pay.

By Metacards · Updated

This is the first question almost everyone asks us, and it is a good one. The short answer: yes, you insert it at card machines and ATMs just like your chip card today. Here is why, and the one thing that is different.

Why it works

Card machines and ATMs do not read the plastic. They read the chip. When you convert your card, your own chip is moved into the steel card, in the same position. The machine sees the same chip, the same card number and asks for the same PIN.

At card machines (POS)

Insert the card chip-first, enter your PIN, and you are done. It works the same in shops, restaurants, fuel pumps and hotels, in India and abroad.

At ATMs

Insert the card as you normally would and enter your PIN. Your bank account, limits and charges do not change, because the bank sees the same card.

What changes: no tap-to-pay

Solid steel blocks the signal used for tap payments, so a steel card is insert-only. Many people see this as a plus: nobody can take a tap payment from your card by accident. If you tap to pay a lot, keep using your phone for that and use the steel card at the counter and the ATM.

What about online payments?

Online and app payments use your card number, expiry and CVV. Those stay the same, and they are engraved on the steel card, so you can read them off the back just like before.

Which cards can be converted?

  • Any debit or credit card with a chip, small or big.
  • Cards without a chip cannot be converted. Ask your bank for a chip card first.

Not sure about your card? Use the "Will my card work?" check on any product page, or send a photo of the front of your card on WhatsApp, with the number covered.

See every metal card design →