Apple recently revealed a feature that will let business owners use their iPhones to take contactless payments. Tap to Pay will allow users to do this without having to buy any extra hardware. It doesn't matter if you're a big business or a solopreneur, all you need is the right iPhone.
Apple Introduces Tap to Pay
After many rumors and much speculation, Apple finally announced Tap to Pay. In Apple's announcement, the company confirmed that Tap to Pay would allow a business to use an iPhone as a payment terminal. Merchants will be able to receive contactless payments with no extra hardware.
Apple today announced plans to introduce Tap to Pay on iPhone. The new capability will empower millions of merchants across the US, from small businesses to large retailers, 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 — no additional hardware or payment terminal needed.
What's great about Tap to Pay is that merchants will be able to accept different payment methods, not just Apple Pay. Customers will be able to use their iPhones or Apple Watches to pay with Apple Pay or use other digital wallets like Google Pay. Tap to Pay will also support contactless debit or credit cards from big providers like American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
How Is Tap to Pay Going to Work?
If you're looking forward to using Tap to Pay, you'll need to have the right equipment. First, the Tap to Pay feature will only be available on the iPhone XS or a later model. You'll probably need to apply the latest software update to your iPhone, although Apple hasn't confirmed this part yet.
Tap to Pay will use the iPhone's Near Field Communication technology, better known as NFC. This technology will support other NFC devices, like the iPhone, Apple Watch, or contactless credit and debit cards. You'll be able to pay with any of these by putting it close to the business's iPhone.
Apple confirmed that Tap to Pay would use the same technological protections that Apple Pay uses. This means the system will encrypt your payments and process them using a Secure Element chip. No third parties—not even Apple—will know what you're buying.
The New Generation of Contactless Payments
Apple hasn't confirmed when Tap to Pay will be available to the public, but we should expect it to arrive later this year. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to start learning what Apple Pay is and how you can use it to pay in physical and online stores.