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Capture card holds before they expire

An uncaptured payment is a hold on your customer's card, not a charge.

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Payment for Stripe lets you place a hold with Authorize only, then capture or release it from the app.
4.8 App Store rating 245K+ businesses worldwide

Last updated November 2026

Quick answer

An uncaptured payment is a hold on your customer's card, not a charge. Capture it in time (at least 2 days on a card reader or Tap to Pay, 5 for Visa, about 7 for a typed card) or the hold is released and nothing is collected.

Official documentation: Stripe: place a hold on a payment method, Stripe Terminal: extended authorizations

How to capture an uncaptured Stripe payment

  1. 1

    Place a hold

    In Settings, switch on Pre-authorizations (Android: Allow pre-authorizations). Ring up the sale and choose Authorize only (Android: tap More checkout options, then Authorize only). Tap or insert the card. The result screen shows how many days you have to capture.

  2. 2

    Capture the payment

    Open the menu, go to Payments, and swipe the uncaptured payment to capture it, or open it and tap Capture. You can also capture it from the Payments page in your Stripe Dashboard.

  3. 3

    Release a hold you don't need

    Open the payment and tap Release. The hold comes off the customer's card and nothing is charged.

FAQ

Common questions

How long does a hold last?
A hold from a card reader or Tap to Pay lasts at least 2 days (5 for Visa). A typed card holds for about 7 days. The app shows the real deadline for each payment as a countdown.
What happens if I don't capture in time?
The hold expires and the money goes back to the customer. Stripe marks the payment canceled and you can no longer capture it. Run a new sale instead.
Can I hold a card for longer?
On a card reader, the app asks Stripe for an extended hold automatically. Eligible cards and business types, like hotels and car rentals, can hold for up to 30 days. Typed cards don't get extended holds.
Can I hold any card?
No. Interac (Canada) and eftpos (Australia) cards pay in one step, so they can't be held. In Australia, a card reader hold still works for Visa and Mastercard. A card that runs only on eftpos is charged in one step.
Why does my customer see a charge I haven't captured?
Some banks show a hold the same way as a charge. It drops off the customer's statement when you release it or when it expires.
Do I need internet to place a hold?
Yes. Authorize only needs an internet connection, so it isn't available for offline payments.

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