Apple has announced it is enabling businesses across the UK to accept in-person contactless payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone.
The new feature is set to allow merchants nationwide from small businesses to large retailers to use their iPhone to accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards as well as other digital wallets using only their iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app. No additional hardware or payment terminal will be needed needed.
Tap to Pay on iPhone is available for payment platforms and app developers in the U.K. to integrate into their iOS apps and offer as a payment acceptance option to their business customers.
The firm said in a statement that Revolut and Tyl by NatWest have already become the first payment platforms to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to their U.K. business customers. Other are preparing to follow soon including Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline, and Zettle by PayPal.Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in the U.K. in the coming weeks, Apple said.
“We’ve seen Tap to Pay on iPhone transform the checkout experience for so many different types of businesses, and we’re thrilled to now support merchants across the U.K. by offering an easy, secure, and private way to accept contactless payments using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone, with no additional hardware needed,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
She added: “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.”
With Tap to Pay on iPhone, merchants can unlock contactless payment acceptance through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running the latest iOS version. All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element. The company said, as with Apple Pay, it doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is buying it. Tap to Pay on iPhone will work with contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks such as American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.
Alex Codina, Revolut’s general manager of Merchant Acquiring added: “With Tap to Pay on iPhone, we expect to see all kinds of businesses — from freelancers and sole traders to retail shops and barbershops, food stands, and more — quickly start accepting contactless payments with only an iPhone.”
Image from Apple
