Understanding Sandbox vs Live Mode

Reading time: 4 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner

Overview

WP Payment Pal supports two payment modes: Sandbox for testing and Live for real payments. This guide explains when and how to use each mode.

Prerequisites

• WP Payment Pal installed
• PayPal accounts connected (see Connecting Your PayPal Account)

What is Sandbox Mode?

Sandbox mode is PayPal’s test environment. It lets you:

• Process fake payments with test credit cards
• Test your entire checkout flow
• Verify emails and notifications work correctly
• Debug issues without affecting real customers

No real money is ever charged in Sandbox mode.

What is Live Mode?

Live mode connects to PayPal’s production environment:

• Processes real payments from real customers
• Charges actual credit cards and PayPal accounts
• Sends real confirmation emails
• Records actual transactions

When to Use Each Mode

Use Sandbox When…	Use Live When…
Building new payment forms	Your site is ready for customers
Testing price changes	You’ve tested everything in Sandbox
Debugging payment issues	Processing real orders
Training staff	Accepting actual payments
Developing new features	Running promotions

Step 1: Check Your Current Mode

1. Go to WP Payment Pal > Settings
2. Click the PayPal tab
3. Look at the Default Mode setting

Step 2: Switch Modes

Change the Default Mode

1. In PayPal settings, find Default Mode
2. Select Sandbox or Live

3. Click Save Changes

All forms will use this mode unless individually overridden.

Override Mode Per Form

Individual forms can use a different mode:

1. Edit the payment form
2. Go to the Payment tab
3. Find the Payment Mode setting

1. Choose Use Default, Sandbox, or Live
2. Save the form

Testing in Sandbox Mode

Test Credit Card Numbers

Use these fake card numbers in Sandbox:

Card Type	Number	Expiry	CVV
Visa	4111111111111111	Any future date	Any 3 digits
Mastercard	5555555555554444	Any future date	Any 3 digits
Amex	378282246310005	Any future date	Any 4 digits

Test PayPal Accounts

Create test buyer accounts at developer.paypal.com:

1. Log in to PayPal Developer
2. Go to Sandbox > Accounts
3. Create a Personal (buyer) account
4. Use those credentials to test PayPal payments

Going Live Checklist

Before switching to Live mode, verify:

• All forms tested successfully in Sandbox
• Email notifications working correctly
• Prices and currencies are correct
• Confirmation messages/redirects configured
• Live PayPal account connected
• SSL certificate active on your site (https://)

Common Questions

Can I have some forms in Sandbox and others in Live?

Yes! Override the mode on individual forms in their Payment tab settings.

Will Sandbox transactions appear in my reports?

Sandbox and Live transactions are kept completely separate. Sandbox transactions only appear when viewing Sandbox mode data.

How do I know which mode a form is using?

Check the form’s Payment tab. The active mode is displayed clearly.

Troubleshooting

Payments fail in Live but work in Sandbox

• Verify your Live PayPal account is connected
• Check that your Live account is fully verified
• Ensure your PayPal account can accept the currency

Test payments are being charged

• You’re in Live mode – switch to Sandbox
• Check the form’s Payment tab for mode override

What’s Next?

• Creating Your First Payment Form – Build a form to test
• Testing Webhooks – Verify PayPal communication