Apple Announces New Tap to Pay Feature for iPhone for Seamless and Secure Apple Pay Payments

Last Updated on February 9, 2022 by Anu Joy

Apple has announced a new Tap to Pay feature for iPhones that will allow businesses to “to use their iPhone to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets through a simple tap to their iPhone”. The iPhone maker adds that payments will not require any additional hardware or payment terminals.

Tap to Pay for Businesses

Apple says that Tap to Pay can be used by merchants across the US, ranging from small businesses to big retailers. This new feature will soon make its way to payment platforms. Moreover, app developers will also be allowed to incorporate the new payment method into their iOS apps as a payment option for business customers.

Stripe will be the first payment platform to offer Tap to Pay, and Apple promises to add the option for more payment platforms and apps later this year. Moreover, it will also roll out to Apple Store locations in the US. The company adds that Tap to Pay on iPhone will work with contactless credit and debit cards from major payment networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.           

Tap to Pay Checkout Process

Merchants will be able to accept contactless payments via a supporting app on the iPhone XS and newer devices, once Tap to Pay is rolled out. To initiate the checkout process, the customer will simply have to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch with Apple Pay, a contactless debit or credit card, or a digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone. The transaction will then be completed via NFC.  

The Cupertino-based company promises privacy and security with Tap to Pay transactions. All transactions conducted using the feature are said to be “encrypted and processed using the Secure Element”. This means that Apple won’t be privy to payment details such as the items purchased or the name of the buyer, just as it is with Apple Pay.

Apple says that Tap to Pay on iPhone will be rolled out to participating payment platforms along with their app developer partners in an upcoming iOS software beta.