Apple introduces Tap to Pay on iPhone so you can accept payments on the spot

Apple has unveiled a new Tap to Pay feature which will allow businesses of any size, tradies and market stalls to accept contactless payments via their iPhone.

Tap to Pay on iPhone means users can accept secure payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards and other digital wallets on their iPhone without the need for any additional hardware or a payment terminal.

Merchants can accept payments via their iPhone through a supporting iOS app that works on iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4 or later.

When activated, customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch close to your iPhone to pay with Apple Pay or tap their contactless credit, debit card or digital wallet in the same way they would in a store.

“Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators, and small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of the country’s workforce, employing millions of Australians,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

“Now, with Tap to Pay on iPhone it’s easier than ever for businesses of any size to seamlessly accept contactless payments using only their iPhone, wherever they do business.

“The convenience of Tap to Pay on iPhone empowers Australian businesses to offer easy, secure, and private contactless payment experiences to their customers, and help them run and grow their business.”

Apple has maintained the same level of privacy with Tap to Pay on iPhone as you would expect with Apple Pay with all transactions encrypted and processed using the secure element so Apple doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is making the purchase.

Westpac and Tyro Payments are the first platforms in Australia to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to their customers with additional platforms and apps including ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions, Stripe, Till Payments and Zellar to offer this feature in the coming months.

Tap to Pay on iPhone works with contactless credit and debit cards from all the major payment networks including eftpos, MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

“We’re delighted to offer businesses another flexible and fast payment option with Tap to Pay on iPhone,” said Chris de Bruin, Westpac’s chief executive of Consumer and Business Banking.

“Our business customers can be onboarded and start accepting quick and secure payments on the go within minutes, with only an iPhone and the Westpac EFTPOS Air iOS app — no additional hardware needed.

“This new capability is particularly beneficial for any business that takes payments on the road or needs its staff to be more mobile on the shop floor.

“It’s a game changer for tradies, delivery drivers, businesses like hairdressers, mechanics or florists, and many more.”

Tyro CEO John Davey said: “Tap to Pay on iPhone is a fantastic, simple, and secure way for new or existing Tyro customers to accept payments using only their iPhone, anytime, anywhere — without the need for additional hardware.

“We are excited to introduce this new offering to our customers, providing greater flexibility when staff are working onsite or are on the move.

“It couldn’t be simpler. Just download the Tyro BYO App to start accepting customer payments on your iPhone in minutes.”