Apple Pay is an Apple-exclusive contactless payment technology. It enables iOS users to make payments quickly and securely with their iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.
Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
Apple Pay: Supported Devices and Apps
| Apple Pay: Supported Devices | |
| iPhone | 6 or 6 Plus and newer |
| iPad | mini 3, Air 2, Pro, and newer |
| Apple Watch | Series 1 and newer (can be paired with iPhone 5 and newer iPhones) |
If an iOS app supports payments, chances are that it supports Apple Pay. You can pay with Apple Pay on shopping, service, travel, and entertainment apps.
You’ll have no trouble paying with Apple Pay on apps like Uber, Booking.com, Zara, Starbucks, and Deliveroo.
Apple Pay is not available on Android, so Android users cannot transact with an Apple Watch.
How Apple Pay Works
Under the hood, Apple Pay works on a tokenized backend infrastructure. This infrastructure creates a token – or a “Device Account Number” – with the user’s card details.
The Device Account Number is generated, encrypted, and stored on a dedicated chip in all devices that support Apple Pay. Apple calls this chip “Secure Element.”
This way, Apple doesn’t store card numbers and transaction information on its servers, keeping the cards secure.
When a user initiates a payment, Apple Pay passes the token to the merchant. The merchant doesn’t get their hands on the card details, either.
Users can find their recent purchases in the Wallet app.
What If You Lose Your Apple Watch or iPhone?
Apple Pay demands the user’s passcode, fingerprint, or Face ID to authorize a transaction. If you lose your iPhone, whoever finds it won’t be able to use your bank accounts unless they know your passcode.
That said, they will be able to find your billing address and the final digits of the cards stored on Apple Pay.
The first thing to do in this situation is to get your hands on another iOS device and put your iPhone in “Lost Mode.” This mode locks the phone, preventing someone from accessing your content and your Apple Pay and Wallet data.
Apple Pay: Supported Banks and Cards
You can use Apple Pay with an AmEx, MasterCard, or Visa card. It supports other debit and credit card providers besides the Apple Card.
You can find the details of the participating banks in your region below:
In the US, Apple Pay supports federal-payment cards. So, you can use the veterans or Social Security benefits you receive on your debit card.
Apple Pay supports government cards issued through GSA SmartPay and Direct Express cards.
There are no transaction limits for Apple Pay like there are on cards. You can use it virtually everywhere and as many times as you wish.
Where is Apple Pay Available?
Apple Pay is available in 74+ countries, including the UAE, Russia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. You can find details of all the countries the app is available in on the Apple website.
You can walk into any store and make a contactless payment with Apple Pay if you see the Apple Pay symbol at the checkout.
Apple Pay also works at all checkouts that have the EMV contactless symbol near them:
As of 2019, over 65% of stores in the US accept payments via Apple Pay. Apple Pay is available at most stores in the UK and Australia.
You can also use Apple Pay to pay for public transport and pay on websites.
Setting Up Apple Pay on iOS Devices
You can set up Apple Pay using the Apple Wallet app, which will store your card information as tokens and allow you to make payments.
iPhone users can launch the Wallet app directly, but iPad users must navigate to the “Wallet & Apple Pay” section in the Settings app to begin setup.
In the app, tap the “+” button in the top right to add your credit or debit card. Tap “Continue” and take a picture of your card to allow the app to capture the card information.
You can also upload the information manually if you prefer. You may be prompted for additional information, after which the bank will verify your information.
Two-factor authentication has been a norm in the banking industry, so you must enter a unique code that the bank will text you to verify your identity.
Bear in mind that two-factor authentication methods vary between banks. Your bank may call you with a unique code instead.
Hit “Next” when your card is set up to begin using Apple Pay.
Setting Up Apple Pay on an Apple Watch
Launch the Watch app and navigate to “My Watch.” Scroll down a bit and find the “Wallet & Apple Pay” option. Tap it, then tap “Add Card.”
After verifying your identity and information with your bank, you’ll see a “ready for Apple Pay” notification on the watch.
Apple Pay Express Travel Card
Apple Pay users can set an “Express Travel Card” on their iPhone or Apple Watch. Apple Pay automatically uses this card when a user taps a supported transport reader to transact.
Users needn’t open the app to transact with their Express Travel Card. They can activate Apple Pay using hotkeys and then tap the reader without unlocking their iPhone or Apple Watch.
Using Apple Pay on an iPhone
Apple Pay facilitates contactless transactions using Near Field Communication and protects your card and every transaction with either Face ID or Touch ID.
However, the process of launching the Apple Pay app is slightly different for every iPhone.
If you have Touch ID on your iPhone, you can launch Apple Pay by tapping the Touch ID home button twice, then holding the button down till the screen says “Hold Near Reader.”
Hit “Pay with Passcode” if your phone doesn’t recognize your fingerprint.
On the other hand, if you have an iPhone with Face ID, press the sleep/wake button twice to launch Apple Pay. You can use either Face ID or the “Pay with Passcode” option to unlock the app.
The “Hold Near Reader” message will appear, and then you can initiate the contactless payment by placing the iPhone near the terminal. You will either hear a ping or feel a subtle vibration if the payment is successful.
How To Use Apple Pay with Watch
Double-click the button next to the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch. This will launch Apple Pay and make the default payment card appear on the Apple Watch. You will also see a “Hold Near Reader to Pay” prompt.
To change the card you want to pay with, swipe left or right to find the cards you have registered on Apple Pay.
You can then hold your watch against the payment terminal. You will feel a pulse and hear a beep confirming that the payment went through.
Paying with Apple Pay within Apps
The “Pay with Apple Pay” button will appear when you try to purchase something from an app on your iOS device.
You can use Face or Touch ID to complete the transaction. Some websites also allow you to pay with Apple Pay. If you’re using a MacBook Pro with a touch bar, you can authenticate the payment using Touch ID on the MacBook.