February 8, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Apple lets businesses accept contactless payments via Tap to Pay on iPhone
Later this year, US merchants will be able to accept Apple Pay and other contactless payments simply by using iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced its intention to introduce Tap to Pay on iPhone. The new capability will enable millions of merchants across the United States, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhones to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards and other digital wallets via a simple tap on their iPhone – no additional hardware or payment terminal required. Tap to Pay on iPhone will be available for payment platforms and app developers to integrate into their iOS apps and offer as a payment option to their business customers. Stripe will be the first payment platform to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to its business customers, including the Shopify Point of Sale app this spring. Other payment platforms and apps will follow later this year.
“As more consumers use 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 experiences. using the power, security and convenience of iPhone,” said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “In collaboration with payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks payment, we’re making it easier than ever for businesses of all sizes, from sole traders 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 accepting contactless payments through a compatible 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, and the payment will be done securely using NFC technology. No additional hardware is required to accept contactless payments via Tap to Pay on iPhone, so businesses can accept payments wherever they do business. Apple Pay is already accepted at over 90% of US retailers, and with this new feature, virtually any business, big or small, will be able to allow their customers to pay on iPhone at checkout. Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Stores in the US later this year.
Privacy is fundamental to the design and development of all of Apple’s payment features. With Tap to Pay on iPhone, customer payment data is protected by the same technology that makes Apple Pay private and secure. All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using Secure Element, and like with Apple Pay, Apple does not know what is being purchased or who is purchasing it.
Apple will work closely with leading payment platforms and app developers in the payments and commerce industry to bring Tap to Pay on iPhone to millions of merchants in the United States. Tap to Pay on iPhone complements and enhances the robust suite of payment and commerce tools that payment platforms and app developers provide their merchant customers to help them manage and grow their businesses. Tap to Pay on iPhone will work with contactless credit and debit cards from major payment networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
“Whether you’re a seller at an online retailer or an individual entrepreneur, you’ll soon be able to accept contactless payments on a device that’s already in your pocket: your iPhone,” said Billy Alvarado, Chief Commercial Officer of Stripe. “With Tap to Pay on iPhone, millions of businesses using Stripe can improve their in-person commerce experience by providing customers with fast and secure payment.”
Tap to Pay on iPhone will be available for participating payment platforms and their app developer partners to leverage in their software development kits (SDKs) in an upcoming iOS software beta.
About Apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s five software platforms – iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS – deliver seamless experiences across all Apple devices and provide users with groundbreaking services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud . Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and leaving the world a better place than we found it.
The contactless symbol is a trademark owned and used under license by EMVCo, LLC.
Press contacts
Heather Norton
Apple
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(408) 974-2042
