Apple today announced plans to introduce the Apple “Tap to Pay” payment feature on the iPhone.
It said in a press announcement that the new capability would “empower millions of merchants across the US, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhone to seamlessly & securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, & other digital wallets” through a simple tap to their iPhone — no additional hardware or payment terminal is required.
The Apple Tap to Pay payment feature on the iPhone will be available for payment platforms & app developers to integrate into their iOS apps & offer as a payment option to their business customers. Stripe will be the 1st payment platform to offer the new feature to its business customers, including the Shopify Point of Sale app this spring.
Here’s How Apple Tap To Pay Payment Feature Will Work
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. At checkout, the merchant will simply prompt the customer 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, & the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology.
Apple said it will work with payment platforms & app developers across the payments & commerce industry to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to millions of merchants in the US. Tap to Pay on iPhone will work with contactless credit & debit cards from leading payment networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, & Visa.
“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, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay & Apple Wallet in the press release. “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.”
Image credit: Apple
