Apple has today expanded the arability of Tap to Pay on iPhone, a feature which theoretically turns the iPhone into a payment terminal, with businesses able to accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets through a simple tap of their iPhone, to users in the United Kingdom.
Apple announced its new Tap to Pay on iPhone feature in February last year. The feature rolled out to users in Taiwan last month, and Apple has now further expanded the arability of tool to users in the UK, allowing businesses securely accept contactless payments, using only an iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app.
Merchants can enable Tap to Pay on iPhone through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running iOS 16.4 or later.
Once enabled, merchants will 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. Tap to Pay on iPhone also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.
The launch in the UK today follows after Apple expanded the service to Australia in May.
“We’ve seen Tap to Pay on iPhone transform the checkout experience for so many different types of businesses, and we’re thrilled to now support merchants across the U.K. by offering an easy, secure, and private way to accept contactless payments using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone, with no additional hardware needed,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Small and medium-sized businesses have long played a vital role in the U.K. economy, and alongside payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks, we’re making it easier than ever for U.K. businesses to seamlessly accept contactless payments and continue to grow their business.”