Apple has announced the introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UK, allowing businesses to accept in-person contactless payments.
This new feature enables merchants to accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets using just their iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app, without the need for any additional hardware or payment terminals.
Tap to Pay on iPhone will be integrated into payment platforms and app developers’ iOS apps, offering a payment acceptance option to business customers. Revolut and Tyl by NatWest are the first payment platforms to offer this service to their UK business customers, with other platforms such as Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline, and Zettle by PayPal following soon.
Additionally, Apple Store locations in the UK will roll out Tap to Pay on iPhone in the coming weeks.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, expressed excitement about supporting UK merchants, “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.”
To accept contactless payments, merchants only need a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running the latest iOS version. At checkout, customers will be prompted to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the merchant’s iPhone to complete the payment securely using NFC technology.
The Tap to Pay on iPhone feature does not require additional hardware, allowing businesses to accept payments from anywhere. Apple Pay is already accepted by over 99 percent of UK retailers, and Tap to Pay on iPhone will further extend this capability to virtually every business in the country.
Apple ensures privacy and security in all its payment features, and Tap to Pay on iPhone is no exception. Customers’ payment data is protected by encryption and processed using the Secure Element, and Apple does not have access to the details of the purchase or the customer’s identity.
Tap to Pay on iPhone is the result of collaboration between Apple and leading payment platforms and app developers in the payments and commerce industry. It is compatible with contactless credit and debit cards from major payment networks like American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.
Why does this matter?
Tap to Pay on iPhone to businesses will be available to all sizes of businesses, from freelancers to retail shops, enabling them all to easily accept contactless payments using only an iPhone.
This new feature is expected to provide convenience and a wider choice for customers while streamlining operations and boosting sales for businesses, regardless of their location. The Tap to Pay on iPhone capability is available now for participating payment platforms and their app developer partners to incorporate into their software development kits (SDKs).
More information can be found on the Apple Developer website.
Cover image courtesy of Apple