Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service by Apple Inc. that lets users make payments in person, in iOS apps, and on the web. It's easy, secure, and works on any Apple device that has Touch ID or Face ID. In this article, we'll explain how Apple Pay works and show you how to set it up.
How Does Apple Pay Work?
Apple Pay uses near-field communication (NFC) to make secure payments at retail locations and in apps. When you're ready to pay, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID or Face ID. You'll know your payment was successful when you see Done and a checkmark on the display.
You can also use Apple Pay to pay for things online in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Look for the Apple Pay button at checkout and complete the payment using Touch ID or Face ID. On your Mac, you can also use Apple Pay without Touch ID by selecting "Use Password" in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
If you don't see the Apple Pay button or can't use Face ID or Touch ID, check if your device is up to date. To pay with Apple Pay in stores, you need an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 11 or later, an iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or later with iOS 11 or later, or an iPod touch 6th generation with iOS 11 or later. To pay in apps and on websites in Safari, you need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 12 or later, an iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) or later with iOS 12 or later, an iPad Pro 10.5-inch with iOS 11 or later, an iPad (5th generation) with iOS 10.3or later; an iPad Air 2 with iOS 10.3or later; an iPad mini 3with iOS 10.3or later; or an iPod touch (6th generation) with iOS 10.3or later2
Is Apple Pay Secure?
Yes! When you use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on your device or on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned created encrypted and stored safely in the Secure Element of your device. Each transaction is authorized with a one-time unique dynamic security code.
In addition to keeping your financial information private and secure, using Apple Pay is also more convenient than using a physical credit card because you don't have to worry about losing it or having it stolen. If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can quickly suspend all payments from that device via iCloud. And if you ever have questions about a charge, our dedicated team of experts is available 24/7 to help.
How Do I Set Up Apple Pay?
Setting up Apple Pay is easy! Just follow these steps:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the + sign in the upper right corner.
- From there, follow the prompts to add a new card. You can do this by taking a photo of your card, entering the card information manually, or by signing in to your bank app.
- Once your card is verified and added to your Wallet, you'll be asked to set up Face ID / Touch ID. This will allow you to quickly and easily make purchases both in-store and online.
Now that you know everything there is to know about Apple Pay, why not give it a try? It's fast, easy, secure, and accepted at millions of locations worldwide.