Apple has introduced its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature in South Africa, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments using just their iPhone and a compatible iOS app. This innovation allows businesses of all sizes to process contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets without the need for additional hardware or payment terminals. Customers simply hold their card, iPhone, Apple Watch, or digital wallet near the merchant’s device to complete the transaction via NFC technology. Currently, iStore Pay and Yoco are the first platforms in South Africa to support this feature, accommodating Mastercard and Visa, with American Express integration expected soon. Initially launched in the United States in February 2022, Tap to Pay has rapidly expanded, reaching 50 global markets, including several European countries, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The feature, which requires an iPhone XS or later with the latest iOS, ensures privacy by encrypting transactions and processing them through the device’s Secure Element, without storing card numbers or transaction data on the device or Apple’s servers.
Is Tap to Pay on iPhone now available in South Africa?
