# Recurring Payments - One-Click Payment Updates

This document explains the one-click payment updates feature included with the [Recurring Payments](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/downloads/recurring-payments/) extension for Easy Digital Downloads.

Note: This feature requires Recurring Payments version 2.13 or later.

Involuntary churn often happens due to a simple issue, such as an expired or canceled card. To combat this, the one-click payment updates feature lets you add a secure "magic" link to [renewal-related emails](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/docs/recurring-payments-subscription-emails/) so customers can quickly and easily update their payment method without needing to log in.

- [Using One-Click Payment Updates](#aioseo-how-to-use-one-click-update-links)
    - [1. Go to the Email Template](#aioseo-1-go-to-the-email-template)
    - [2. Insert the Update Link Smart Tag](#aioseo-3-add-update-payment-smart-tag)
    - [3. Save the Email Template](#aioseo-3-save-the-email-template)
- [How It Works for Customers](#aioseo-how-it-works-for-customers)



Using One-Click Payment Updates 
--------------------------------

There is no need to manually find or create these links for your customers. EDD handles the one-click payment card updates through a specific email smart tag.

All you need to do is add the tag to your subscription-related email templates — which you can do in 3 quick steps.

### 1. Go to the Email Template

From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to **Downloads** → **Settings** → **Emails**. Within the list of emails, find and select either the Subscription Reminder Notice or Renewal Payment Failed email template.

![](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/edd-renewal-emails-reminders-list-800x311.png)To make finding it easier, you can change the **All Senders** filter along the top to **Recurring Payments**.

### 2. Insert the Update Link Smart Tag

In the **Message** body, insert the `{update_payment_link}` smart tag.

You can manually type it or click on the **Insert Tag** button and select it from the list.

![Adding the one-click payment update email smart tag in Easy Digital Downloads subscription renewal email.](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/recurring-update-payment-link-email-tag-edd.png)You can place this in a sentence or embed it in a clickable link for a better user experience.

### 3. Save the Email Template

When you're done editing the email template, click the **Save** button in the top right-hand corner.

Once saved, Easy Digital Downloads automatically generates and includes the unique, secure links for each customer when these emails are triggered.

How It Works for Customers
--------------------------

This is how the process works on the customer's end.

The customer receives an automated email from your store, such as a Subscription Renewal Reminder or a Subscription Renewal Failed notification.

Inside the email, they click the secure link to update their payment method.

![Subscription renewal reminder email with one-click payment updates link.](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/subscription-renewal-reminder-email.png)They are taken to a secure, Stripe-powered form. They do not need to log in or remember a password.

![One-Click Update Payment Method Stripe in EDD](https://easydigitaldownloads.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/one-click-update-payment-method-stripe-1.png)The customer enters their new payment details and submits the form.

Their payment method is instantly updated for their subscription, preventing any interruption in service.

This simple, no-login process makes it effortless for customers to keep their payment information current, significantly reducing passive churn.