Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in the United Kingdom

Apple announced today that it’s expanding its Tap to Pay on iPhone solution to the United Kingdom, allowing businesses in the country to use their iPhones to accept contactless payments without the need for any additional hardware or payment terminal.

Powered by the NFC technology, the solution ‘’will empower millions of merchants, from small businesses to large retailers, to use their iPhone to seamlessly and securely accept Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets using only their iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app,’’ the iPhone-maker said in its announcement post.

The company said that Revolut and Tyl by NatWest have become the first payment platforms to offer the feature, and they will be followed by Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline, and PayPal’s Zettle soon. In addition, the feature will also be supported in Apple Store locations in the United Kingdom starting in the upcoming weeks.

The tech giant added that more than 99% of all the retailers in the country already accept Apple Pay. With the new feature, they will now be able receive contactless payments at checkout in seconds. Meanwhile, the feature is supported on iPhone XS and later devices only.

Commenting on the launch, Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s VP of Apple Pay & Apple Wallet, 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. 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.”

Apple first introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in February 2022, and the feature is now available in a total of four markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Australia.

In November last year, fintech company PayPal announced that PayPal and Venmo apps would soon gain support for Tap to Pay on iPhone in the United States.