Apple Announces Tap to Pay on iPhone to Enable Contactless Payments

Apple has announced that it is planning on introducing Tap to Pay on iPhone that will allow merchants to use their iPhone to seamlessly and securely receive payments through Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets by a simple tap to their iPhone with no additional hardware requirement or payment terminal needed.

The company added that the new Tap to Pay on iPhone will debut in Spring with Stripe for millions of merchants across the US and the feature will be made available for payment platforms and app developers to integrate into their iOS apps and offer as a payment option to their business customers.

“As more and more consumers are tapping to pay with digital wallets and credit cards, Tap to Pay on iPhone will provide businesses with a secure, private, and easy way to accept contactless payments and unlock new checkout experiences using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone,” said Jennifer Bailey, the Vice-President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “In collaboration with payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks, we’re making it easier than ever for businesses of all sizes — from solopreneurs to large retailers — to seamlessly accept contactless payments and continue to grow their business.”

Once Tap to Pay on iPhone becomes available, merchants will be able to unlock contactless payment acceptance through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone XS or later device. The feature will allow merchants to simply prompt customers to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch to Pay with Apple Pay, their contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology.

No additional hardware is needed to accept contactless payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone, so businesses can accept payments from wherever they do business. Apple Pay is already accepted at more than 90 percent of US retailers, and with this new capability, virtually every business, big or small, will be able allow their customers to Tap to Pay on iPhone at checkout. Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in the US later this year.

However, the Tap to Pay on iPhone will only be available in the US for now and Apple has not made any announcement regarding expanding the feature to other countries. According to Apple, Tap to Pay on iPhone will work with contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.

Read more: Apple Has Removed Noise Cancellation From iPhone 13 Series.

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