Apple officially launched Tap to Pay on the iPhone on February 8, 2022, in the United States. The service was announced as a solution that turns the iPhone into a contactless payment terminal, allowing traders to accept payments without the need for additional equipment. Basically, this service transforms the iPhone devices into POS (Point of Sale) devices, to some extent, without the need for additional hardware.
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What is tap to pay on iPhone and how it works?
Tap to pay is a functionality that allows the use of an iPhone as a contactless payment terminal, without needing an additional hardware device. It is a convenient solution for traders, who can accept payments anywhere, using only their iPhone. Customers can make contactless payments with the card by simply approaching the trader iPhone. Also, the customer can make contactless payments with and another iPhone or Apple Watch device, with the help of Apple Pay or another digital wallet.
Tap to Pay uses the NFC (Near Field Communication) chip in the iPhone to allow contactless payments. When a customer wants to make a payment, he just has to approach his contactless card or Apple Compatible device (iPhone or Apple Watch) to the trader's iPhone. The transaction is processed through Secure Element, a technology that ensures the security of financial data.
Who can use Tap to Pay on the iPhone?
The TAP to pay function is intended for business (at least at the moment), which can be integrated by physical stores, restaurants, cafes or any other commercial activity, where customers can make contactless payments.
To use Tap to Pay on the iPhone, traders need a third party service to facilitate payments. Platforms compatible at this time include Adyen, Sumup and Viva.com, which offer easy -to -integrate solutions of any size. These services function as intermediaries, managing the transactions carried out through TAP to Pay and ensuring both the security and the fluidity of the payment process.
IPhone compatibility with tap to pay
If you are a trader and want to implement TAP to Pay to provide customers with a modern payment mode, you do not need additional hardware equipment. The digital transfer of money is done contactless, using NFC technology, in a safe and fast way.
The functionality of TAP to pay is compatible with all iPhone models starting with the iPhone XS and the subsequent versions, provided that the device is running iOS 15.4 or a newer version. In addition, it is necessary to install the application of the chosen payment processor, through which the transactions will be managed and the amounts will be transferred to your company's account.
Although older models, such as iPhone 6, iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, have NFC technology, Apple does not allow TAP to pay on them.
As more and more payment processors adopt this functionality, it is possible to see compatibility and other devices, such as Apple Watch. Given the popularity of Apple Watch for the use of Apple Pay, such integration could facilitate contactless payments in an even more convenient way for users.
In which countries is the service available
The Tap to Pay service on the iPhone was initially launched in the USA, but Apple has expanded it quickly enough on other markets, including Europe. Since November 2024, countries like new zealand And five new countries in Europe: Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, Romania and Sweden. Adyen, Sumup and Viva.com are the first payment platforms that offer Tap to Pay on iPhone in all five countries.
Stripe is available in Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland and Sweden; Global Payments, together with Erste Bank, is available in Austria, Czech Republic and Romania; Nexi is available in Austria and Sweden; Revolut is available in Austria and Ireland; Mypos and Payone are available in Austria; Square is available in Ireland; And Zettle by Paypal is available in Sweden.
In the following weeks (November - December 2024), Hobex from Austria, Boi Payment Acceptance/Global Payments in Ireland and Surfboard Payments in Sweden will activate Tap to Pay on their customers. Tap to Pay on iPhone works with credit cards and contactless debit from important payment networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.
Related: How do you add bank cards to Apple Pay for Apple Watch
Conclusion
Tap to Pay is an important step in the direction of digitalization and simplification of contactless payments, offering both traders and customers a modern, fast and safe solution. By transforming the iPhone into a payment terminal without the need for additional equipment, this functionality opens new opportunities for business of any size. With a simple configuration process and support for a wide range of compatible devices, TAP to Pay is more than a technological innovation, it is a practical solution for the future of trade. As more and more payment processors adopt this system, its use will become more and more accessible and widespread.
In addition to these advantages, I think this solution could help the environment, and fewer hardware and POS equipment needed. Tap to pay on the iPhone can replace in some cases the traditional POS, but not completely, at least at this time.
