Apple Pay Review

Apple Pay is a contactless payment system that allows users to make secure purchases with their Apple devices in person and online. More than 85% of U.S. retailers accept Apple Pay at checkout. It debuted more than a decade ago and is now available in stores and on millions of websites and apps.

Here’s more about Apple Pay, including how it can be combined with other Apple products, so you can make the most of this digital wallet.

How does Apple Pay work?

Apple Pay allows you to use your phone instead of physical cards to make purchases. The system uses security features built into your device to protect your transactions. Apple Pay is also designed to keep your financial information secure.

You’ll need to add credit, debit and prepaid cards to your account before using Apple Pay, but Apple does not store or have access to your card numbers or transaction details. Apple Pay uses a process called tokenization, which replaces your card number with a “token” — a random series of numbers — to protect your private information. Your transaction remains between you, the merchant and the bank.

You won’t pay any fees to use Apple Pay, whether you use it to buy something in person or online.

Here’s one example of how you might pay with Apple Pay. Let’s say you’re at Target to buy a birthday gift for a friend. Rather than fumble for a card in your wallet, you might grab your iPhone and tell the cashier you want to use Apple Pay.

You’ll verify your identity on the phone with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode and then choose the card you want to use from your digital wallet. Hold the top of the phone near the contactless reader. It will display the word “done” and a check mark when your transaction is complete.

How to use Apple Pay for in-store, in-app and online purchases

With your iPhone or Apple Watch, you can use Apple Pay in stores at any contactless payment terminal. You can use Apple Pay online or in apps when you see the Apple Pay button at checkout.

Here are the steps to using Apple Pay for online or in-app purchases:

1. Select Apple Pay when checking out.
2. Change your payment method (only if you don’t want to use your default card). Tap Other Cards & Pay Later Options or Change Payment Method.
3. Enter your billing, shipping and contact information, if necessary.
4. Confirm the payment. This will require Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or a passcode. You’ll need a Bluetooth-connected iPhone or Apple Watch if you’re using a Mac computer without Touch ID.
5. Wait for the word “done” and a check mark to display on the screen, showing you that your payment is successful.

Which devices support Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is only available on Apple devices running iOS systems. It is compatible with the following devices:

• iPhone models with Face ID
• iPhone models with Touch ID, except iPhone 5s
• iPad, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models with Touch ID or Face ID
• Apple Watch, series 1 or later
• Mac computers, including models with Touch ID, models introduced in 2012 or later with an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone or Apple Watch, and Mac computers with Apple silicon paired with a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
• Apple Vision Pro
• PCs and other devices with a third-party browser

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

Setting up Apple Pay on your iPhone is a relatively straightforward process. First, make sure your device has the latest version of iOS. Next, you’ll need an Apple Account that is signed into your Apple device.

Navigate to the Wallet app, which is where your cards will be stored. To add a credit or debit card, tap the plus button (+) and follow the steps on the screen. You may have to verify information with your card issuer.

You may also be able to add a card by tapping it on the back of your iPhone.

If you have paired an Apple Watch with your phone, you’ll have the option to add the card to your watch.

Keep in mind that you can only add debit and credit cards from supported banks.

Pros and cons of Apple Pay

What’s the difference between Apple Pay and Apple Cash?

Apple Pay is a contactless payment method for Apple devices, while Apple Cash is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platform that functions much like Venmo.

Apple Cash is a way to send and receive money that is built into the iPhone. You can use Apple Cash to send money directly from your iPhone messages, the Wallet app or with Tap to Cash by holding your iPhone near someone else’s iPhone or Apple Watch.

Transfer money from Apple Cash to your bank account without paying any fees, and most transfers are complete within one to three business days. Debit card transfers carry a fee of 1.5% of the transfer amount (25 cent minimum; $15 maximum).

You can transfer money to an eligible debit card or bank account. Send up to $10,000 per transfer and up to $20,000 within a seven-day period to your bank account. The minimum you can transfer to your debit card or bank account is $1 (or your full balance if it’s under that limit).

You can only transfer money to a U.S. bank account.

Use Apple Cash to make purchases as you would normally with physical cards or dollars. Spend it using Apple Pay, or transfer your Apple Cash to your bank account. Transfer funds to Apple Cash once you have a debit card in your Apple Wallet.

Can you get cash back with Apple Pay?

If you’re short on cash, you may be able to use Apple Pay to get cash back in stores. Many stores that offer cash back on debit card transactions will also allow it with Apple Pay. Just keep in mind this will only be an option if you’ve linked a debit card to your Wallet app.

You can also use Apple Pay to earn cash back rewards on eligible purchases. Typically, if the credit card or debit card you linked to Apple Pay offers cash back rewards, you will earn those same rewards when using Apple Pay. You can also use rewards to pay for purchases with eligible card issuers.

What are Apple Pay alternatives?

If you’re an Android user, you will find several options that are similar to Apple Pay, including:

• Google Pay: Integrated with Android devices, Google Wallet allows you to store your credit, debit and loyalty cards and view recent transactions. Within the wallet, you can use Google Pay to send and receive money and make contactless payments at many retailers.
• Samsung Pay: Using Samsung Wallet, you can store your cards and tap into Samsung Pay to make in-store, in-app and online purchases with participating merchants. This system is specifically designed for Samsung devices, limiting its accessibility.
• PayPal: The well-established and widely recognized platform enables peer-to-peer payments, as well as online and even in-store purchases using a QR code or the free PayPal debit card. The debit card even earns 5% cash back in a category of your choice on up to $1,000 in purchases each month.

Frequently asked questions

What is Apple Cash, and how do you use it?

Apple Cash is a peer-to-peer payment platform that is built directly into your iPhone. With Apple Cash, you can send and receive money in Messages, in the Wallet app and with Tap to Cash by holding your iPhone near someone else’s.

Is Apple Pay safe?

Apple Pay takes steps to protect your personal data, such as transaction details and payment information. Notably, you are required to verify your identity to make a purchase. Depending on your iOS software, you may do this through Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or with a passcode.

Is Apple Pay related to the Apple Card?

Yes. Apple Pay is a secure payment service that allows users to make contactless purchases using linked credit and debit cards. This includes the Apple Card, which offers 2% daily cash back on purchases made using Apple Pay.