US-based computer and consumer electronics company Apple has introduced its Tap to Pay on iPhone service in the UK, allowing businesses to accept in-person contactless payments.
Tap to Pay on iPhone allows UK merchants to easily and securely accept payments from Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets using their iPhone and partner-enabled iOS app.
It works with contactless credit and debit cards issued by major payment networks, including American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.
The payment platforms and app developers in the UK can now integrate Tap to Pay on iPhone into their iOS apps to provide business customers with a new payment acceptance option.
Apple said Revolut and Tyl by NatWest are the first payment platforms to provide the Tap to Pay on iPhone option to their UK business customers.
Other payment platforms, including Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline, and Zettle by PayPal are expected to offer the service soon.
In addition, the company is also planning to roll out the Tap to Pay on iPhone to its Apple Store locations in the UK in the next weeks.
Apple’s Apple Pay and Apple Wallet vice president Jennifer Bailey said: “We’ve seen Tap to Pay on iPhone transform the checkout experience for so many different types of businesses.
“We’re thrilled to now support merchants across the UK 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.
“Small and medium-sized businesses have long played a vital role in the UK economy, and alongside payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks, we’re making it easier than ever for UK businesses to seamlessly accept contactless payments and continue to grow their business.”
The Tap to Pay on iPhone enable merchants to unlock contactless payment acceptance through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running the latest iOS version.
Customers can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch with Apple Pay, contactless credit or debit card, or digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, to securely complete the payment using NFC technology.
UK businesses can accept payments from wherever they do business, as Tap to Pay on iPhone requires no additional hardware to accept contactless payments.
Apple said payment data of customers using Tap to Pay on iPhone is protected by the same technology that keeps Apple Pay private and secure.
Secure Element (SE) will encrypt and process all the transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone, and the company doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is buying it.
Furthermore, Apple is working closely with top payment platforms and app developers across the payments and commerce industry to offer its Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UK.
Revolut merchant acquiring general manager Alex Codina said: “We are excited to be among the first to bring Tap to Pay on iPhone to businesses of all sizes in the UK.
“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.”
NatWest chief payments officer Mark Brant said: “Tap to Pay on iPhone within the NatWest Tap to Pay app enables us to meet all of these needs and put contactless payments into the pockets of businesses, optimising the in-person payment experience for all.”
