> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.dropfans.io/developers/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# DELETE /api/external/v1/payouts/methods/{id} — Remove a payout method

> Remove a payout method — refused with 409 `method_in_use` while a payout to it is still pending or processing.

- Source: https://www.dropfans.io/developers/reference/delete-payout-method
- Section: API reference
- OpenAPI: https://www.dropfans.io/developers/openapi.json

Also served at `/api/external/payouts/methods/{id}` (the unversioned alias).

Remove a payout method — refused with 409 `method_in_use` while a payout to it is still pending or processing.

Payouts already made keep their own masked copy of the destination, so the history is unaffected. Removing the MassPay wallet does not close the payee at MassPay: setting the wallet up again re-attaches it. The key's own account only, after the ID check.

> [!NOTE] Needs the Payouts category and an app key
> Payouts are an [API category](https://www.dropfans.io/developers/concepts/api-categories.md) that is off for every app until we switch it on — ask support. Personal keys can read payouts but get 403 `app_key_required` here.

## Authentication

`Authorization: Bearer dpfn_...` — an API key generated in the dashboard (Vault → API Connect). By default the key acts for the one account it belongs to. Missing or invalid keys return 401 `{"error":"Unauthorized","code":"unauthorized"}`.

## Path parameters

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `id` | string | yes | The method id. |

## Responses

### 200

Removed.

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `id` | string | yes | The removed method. |
| `deleted` | boolean | yes | Always true. |

```json
{
  "id": "clxpm0002method",
  "deleted": true
}
```

## Errors

| Status | Body | When |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | `{"error":"Unauthorized","code":"unauthorized"}` | Missing or invalid API key. |
| 403 | `{"error":"Verify your identity (KYC) before setting up payouts.","code":"kyc_required"}` | The account has not passed the ID check. |
| 403 | `{"error":"Payout methods need the account’s own key — a key an agency minted for a managed account cannot read or change where payouts go.","code":"agency_key_not_allowed"}` | The key was minted by an agency for an account it manages. |
| 403 | `{"error":"This endpoint needs a key bound to an app with the payouts API category enabled — personal keys cannot use it.","code":"app_key_required","category":"payouts"}` | A personal key (not bound to an app). Personal keys may read payouts, but not change them. |
| 404 | `{"error":"Not found","code":"not_found"}` | Unknown id, or it belongs to another account (also on a repeated delete). |
| 409 | `{"error":"Cannot delete: this method is attached to active payouts. Wait for them to settle.","code":"method_in_use"}` | A payout to this method is pending or processing. |
| 400 | `{"error":"This endpoint only acts as the key’s own account — send it without X-Dropfans-Account.","code":"account_header_not_allowed"}` | `X-Dropfans-Account` names another account. An agency can never change where a creator it manages is paid. |
| 400 | `{"error":"This endpoint acts as the key’s own account or app — call it without /creators/{creatorId}.","code":"creator_scope_not_allowed"}` | Called under /api/external/v1/creators/{creatorId}/ — this endpoint always acts as the key’s own account, agency or app. |
| 403 | `{"error":"This app does not have the payouts API category enabled. Contact support to enable it.","code":"api_category_disabled","category":"payouts"}` | Your app has the Payouts [API category](https://www.dropfans.io/developers/concepts/api-categories.md) switched off (the default for new apps). |

## Rate limiting

Per-key fixed windows by tier (Personal 60/min · 5,000/day; approved apps 300/min · 50,000/day; Dropfans-operated integrations exempt). Read the live values from X-RateLimit-Tier, X-RateLimit-Limit, X-RateLimit-Remaining, X-RateLimit-Reset and their -Day variants; a 429 carries Retry-After and `{"error":"Rate limit exceeded","code":"rate_limited"}`. See [Rate limits](https://www.dropfans.io/developers/concepts/rate-limits.md).

## Code samples

### curl

```bash
curl -X DELETE "https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/$ID" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DROPFANS_API_KEY"
```

### Node

```javascript
const id = '…'; // from an earlier response

const res = await fetch(`https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/${id}`, {
  method: 'DELETE',
  headers: {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.DROPFANS_API_KEY}`,
  },
});
console.log(await res.json());
```

### Python

```python
import os
import requests

id = "…"  # from an earlier response

res = requests.delete(
    f"https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/{id}",
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['DROPFANS_API_KEY']}"},
)
print(res.json())
```

## OpenAPI

```json
{
  "method": "DELETE",
  "path": "/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/{id}",
  "operationId": "deletePayoutMethod",
  "tags": [
    "payouts"
  ],
  "summary": "Remove a payout method",
  "description": "Remove a payout method — refused with 409 `method_in_use` while a payout to it is still pending or processing.\n\nPayouts already made keep their own masked copy of the destination, so the history is unaffected. Removing the MassPay wallet does not close the payee at MassPay: setting the wallet up again re-attaches it. The key's own account only, after the ID check.\n\n> [!NOTE] Needs the Payouts category and an app key\n> Payouts are an [API category](https://www.dropfans.io/developers/concepts/api-categories.md) that is off for every app until we switch it on — ask support. Personal keys can read payouts but get 403 `app_key_required` here.",
  "parameters": [
    {
      "name": "id",
      "in": "path",
      "required": true,
      "description": "The method id.",
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  ],
  "responses": {
    "200": {
      "description": "Removed.",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-Dropfans-Account": {
          "description": "The id of the account this request acted on — the key’s own account, or the managed account named in the X-Dropfans-Account request header. Assert it when acting for several accounts.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "id": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "The removed method."
              },
              "deleted": {
                "type": "boolean",
                "description": "Always true."
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "id",
              "deleted"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "id": "clxpm0002method",
            "deleted": true
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "400": {
      "description": "`X-Dropfans-Account` names another account. An agency can never change where a creator it manages is paid. Also: Called under /api/external/v1/creators/{creatorId}/ — this endpoint always acts as the key’s own account, agency or app.",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "This endpoint only acts as the key’s own account — send it without X-Dropfans-Account.",
            "code": "account_header_not_allowed"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "401": {
      "description": "Missing or invalid API key.",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "Unauthorized",
            "code": "unauthorized"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "403": {
      "description": "The account has not passed the ID check. Also: The key was minted by an agency for an account it manages. Also: A personal key (not bound to an app). Personal keys may read payouts, but not change them. Also: Your app has the Payouts [API category](https://www.dropfans.io/developers/concepts/api-categories.md) switched off (the default for new apps).",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "Verify your identity (KYC) before setting up payouts.",
            "code": "kyc_required"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "404": {
      "description": "Unknown id, or it belongs to another account (also on a repeated delete).",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "Not found",
            "code": "not_found"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "409": {
      "description": "A payout to this method is pending or processing.",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "Cannot delete: this method is attached to active payouts. Wait for them to settle.",
            "code": "method_in_use"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "429": {
      "description": "Rate limit exceeded for the current minute or day window. Wait Retry-After seconds and retry.",
      "headers": {
        "X-RateLimit-Tier": {
          "description": "Rate-limit tier of the key: personal, app or first_party (first_party is unlimited).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "string",
            "enum": [
              "personal",
              "app",
              "first_party"
            ]
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per minute for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current minute window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the minute window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Limit-Day": {
          "description": "Requests allowed per UTC day for this key (absent on first_party).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Remaining-Day": {
          "description": "Requests left in the current UTC day window.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "X-RateLimit-Reset-Day": {
          "description": "Epoch seconds when the day window resets.",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        },
        "Retry-After": {
          "description": "Seconds to wait before retrying (sent with 429s).",
          "schema": {
            "type": "integer"
          }
        }
      },
      "content": {
        "application/json": {
          "schema": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "error": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Human-readable message.",
                "example": "Rate limit exceeded"
              },
              "code": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Machine-readable code: unauthorized, app_suspended, first_party_only, api_category_disabled, rate_limited, username_required, invalid_account_header, account_not_managed, permission_denied, account_header_not_allowed, agency_key_required — plus endpoint-specific codes listed on each reference page.",
                "example": "rate_limited"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "error",
              "code"
            ]
          },
          "example": {
            "error": "Rate limit exceeded",
            "code": "rate_limited"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "x-codeSamples": [
    {
      "lang": "cURL",
      "label": "curl",
      "source": "curl -X DELETE \"https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/$ID\" \\\n  -H \"Authorization: Bearer $DROPFANS_API_KEY\""
    },
    {
      "lang": "JavaScript",
      "label": "Node",
      "source": "const id = '…'; // from an earlier response\n\nconst res = await fetch(`https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/${id}`, {\n  method: 'DELETE',\n  headers: {\n    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.DROPFANS_API_KEY}`,\n  },\n});\nconsole.log(await res.json());"
    },
    {
      "lang": "Python",
      "source": "import os\nimport requests\n\nid = \"…\"  # from an earlier response\n\nres = requests.delete(\n    f\"https://www.dropfans.io/api/external/v1/payouts/methods/{id}\",\n    headers={\"Authorization\": f\"Bearer {os.environ['DROPFANS_API_KEY']}\"},\n)\nprint(res.json())"
    }
  ],
  "x-dropfans-docs": "https://www.dropfans.io/developers/reference/delete-payout-method",
  "x-dropfans-category": "payouts"
}
```

---

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