Apple announces new ‘Tap to Pay’ feature, allowing iPhones to accept contactless payments

Apple has announced “Tap to Pay,” a new feature coming this year that will allow businesses to accept contactless payments using an iPhone without any additional hardware.

“Tap to Pay” will theoretically turn the iPhone into a payment terminal, with businesses able accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets through a simple tap to their iPhone — no additional hardware or payment terminal needed.

“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 their business customers, including the Shopify Point of Sale app this spring. Additional payment platforms and apps will follow later this year.

Apple notes that “Tap to Pay” will only be available in the US at launch.

“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 and Apple Wallet in a press release shared on Tuesday. “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.”

“Tap to Pay” will be available to business owners using the iPhone XS or later. It will require a supporting iOS app, with Apple noting that the feature will be available to participating payment platforms and their app developer partners to use in their software developer kits (SDKs) in an upcoming iOS software beta.

Image: Apple

When a business presents their iPhone to a customer for a contactless payment, Apple says the customer’s 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.

“Tap to Pay” on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in the US later this year.