Apple announces go live for Tap to Pay on iPhone contactless payments in the UK
Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK can now accept contactless payments in person directly on their iPhones, instead of needing to connect to a card reader.
Customers will be able to pay via a conventional contactless payment card, or via Apple Pay on their own iPhone or Apple Watch.
The launch of Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone scheme in the UK involves use of a payment processing iOS app, with users needing at least an iPhone XS handset that runs iOS 16.4 or newer.
Merchants will not need any other card readers or PoS hardware to use this service, although they will require an account with a payment processing app that is offering Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Revolut and Tyl by NatWest are the first platforms to offer this to their customers, with Apple saying that Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline and Zettle by PayPal will be onboard soon.
Mark Brant, Chief Payments Officer, NatWest, says: “Customers now expect the convenience and wider choice of using contactless credit or debit cards, as well as digital wallets such as Apple Pay, to make seamless and secure purchases wherever they shop.”
“Equally, entrepreneurs and businesses are always looking for ways to streamline their operations, boost sales and connect with their customers regardless of location, all while benefiting from tech to make their own sales experience seamless.”
“And for aspiring entrepreneurs, you just need a good business idea and an iPhone to start getting paid – enabling a whole new wave of opportunities.”
He adds: “Tap to Pay 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.”
“NatWest was one of the first UK banks to bring Apple Pay to customers in the UK, and we are proud to continue to provide access to the latest in payments technology by being one of the first to bring Tap to Pay on iPhone to merchants in the UK.”
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