Apple Expands ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ Across Europe
Apple is broadening the reach of its innovative payment technology, ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone, ’ by introducing it to five additional countries in Europe. The announcement highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing payment solutions by adding Estonia, Latvia, Monaco, Lithuania, and Norway to its growing list of supported regions.
What is ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’?
This technology allows merchants to use their iPhone as a portable payment terminal, facilitating seamless in-person contactless transactions. With ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone, ’ customers can make payments using Apple Pay, contactless credit cards, debit cards, and various mobile wallets, streamlining the payment process for both merchants and consumers.
How It Works
Customers can easily complete transactions by positioning their contactless cards, iPhones, or Apple Watches near the merchant’s iPhone. Utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ operates without additional hardware, making it a convenient solution for businesses of all sizes.
Security Features
Apple emphasizes the security of transactions conducted via ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone, ’ which are processed through a Secure Elements chip. This encrypted technology ensures that Apple remains unaware of the specific items purchased or the identities of buyers, safeguarding customer privacy.
Distinction from Apple Pay
It’s important to distinguish between ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ and Apple Pay. The former is a contactless payment technology designed specifically for on-the-go transactions, while Apple Pay functions as a digital wallet that securely stores users’ credit and debit card information. While Apple Pay is one method to utilize ‘Tap to Pay on iPhone, ’ the technology is compatible with other contactless payment solutions as well.
Supported Devices and Partner Platforms
‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ is available on iPhone Xs and later models, requiring a compatible iOS application for operation. Apple collaborates with several payment platforms to integrate this technology into their apps. In the newly added regions, the following platforms have been confirmed:
- Estonia: SumUp, Revolut
- Latvia: SumUp
- Lithuania: SumUp, Revolut
- Monaco: BNP Paribas, Adyen
- Norway: Adyen, PayPal, Stripe, Nexi, SumUp, Surfboard Payments, and Viva.com
Global Expansion Timeline
‘Tap to Pay on iPhone’ made its debut in the United States in 2022 and has since expanded to several countries, including the United Kingdom and Brazil. With the latest additions, the technology is now available in a total of 43 countries and regions. Notably, this marks Apple’s second significant European expansion this year, following a launch in eight countries back in May.
Leave a Reply