Following its success in the US market among small businesses Apple has announced that it has launched its ‘Tap to Pay’ feature as a software update on the iPhone in the UK market, enabling in-person payments via mobile phones.
Previously, most small businesses or gig economy workers required separate devices to conduct card or phone payment transactions, made by the likes of Zettle, which pair with a phone and allow them to take digital payments.
Now, businesses with an iPhoneXS or later, running the latest software updates, will be able to use the Tap to Pay feature and turn their devices into a payment system. The tool will not work on other Apple hardware, such as iPads.
While the app is aimed at small to medium businesses, Apple said in a statement that Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in the UK in the coming weeks.
UK bank NatWest (via its Tyl subsidiary) and fintech Revolut are among the first providers to embrace Apple’s Tap to Pay service and are already offering the new capability to their business companies.
Meanwhile, other payments organisations including myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Worldline, and Zettle (PayPal) will follow shortly, according to Apple.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet said:
“Small and medium-sized businesses have long played a vital role in the UK economy, and alongside payment platforms, app developers, and payment networks, we’re making it easier than ever for UK businesses to seamlessly accept contactless payments and continue to grow their business.”
Mark Brant, NatWest’s chief payments officer said that all aspiring entrepreneurs needed now was a good business idea and an iPhone to start getting paid – opening a whole range of opportunities.
“Tap to Pay on 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,” he added.
Apple said that Tap to Pay on iPhone is available to participating payment platforms and their app developer partners to leverage in their software development kits (SDKs) now.