Small business is celebrating Apple’s activation of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia. Although mobile payments have been possible for some time on iPhone, merchants have needed a secondary device to accept payments via credit card or smartphone. Now a tradie can securely accept contactless payments with just an iPhone and a partner-enabled iOS app.
Contactless payments are everywhere. The last time I used cash was in Spain this year. Prior to that I can’t remember paying for anything in Australia using cash.
Merchants can enable Tap to Pay on iPhone through a supporting iOS app on an iPhone Xs or later device running iOS 16.4 or later. Once enabled, merchants will simply prompt customers to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Pay, their contactless credit or debit card, or other digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment will be securely completed using NFC technology. Tap to Pay on iPhone also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.
“Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators, and small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of the country’s workforce, employing millions of Australians. Now, with Tap to Pay on iPhone it’s easier than ever for businesses of any size to seamlessly accept contactless payments using only their iPhone, wherever they do business,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
“The convenience of Tap to Pay on iPhone empowers Australian businesses to offer easy, secure, and private contactless payment experiences to their customers, and help them run and grow their business.”
All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element, and as with Apple Pay, Apple doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is making the purchase.
Starting today, Westpac and Tyro Payments are the first payment platforms in Australia to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to their business customers. Additional payment platforms and apps, including ANZ Worldline Payment Solutions, Stripe, Till Payments, and Zeller, will make this secure and convenient capability available in the coming months. Tap to Pay on iPhone is available for any payment platform or app developer to enable that is able to meet the technical requirements to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Tap to Pay on iPhone works with contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks, including eftpos, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. Tap to Pay on iPhone will also roll out to Apple Store locations in Australia later this year.
This marks a big change for Westpac. I considered leaving the bank because it dragged out its adoption of Apple Pay in Australia. But … I’m glad I stayed.
“We’re delighted to offer businesses another flexible and fast payment option with Tap to Pay on iPhone,” said Chris de Bruin, Westpac’s chief executive of Consumer and Business Banking.
“Our business customers can be onboarded and start accepting quick and secure payments on the go within minutes, with only an iPhone and the Westpac EFTPOS Air iOS app — no additional hardware needed. This new capability is particularly beneficial for any business that takes payments on the road or needs its staff to be more mobile on the shop floor. It’s a game changer for tradies, delivery drivers, businesses like hairdressers, mechanics or florists, and many more.”
“Tap to Pay on iPhone is a fantastic, simple, and secure way for new or existing Tyro customers to accept payments using only their iPhone, anytime, anywhere — without the need for additional hardware,” said Jon Davey, Tyro’s CEO.
“We are excited to introduce this new offering to our customers, providing greater flexibility when staff are working onsite or are on the move. It couldn’t be simpler. Just download the Tyro BYO App to start accepting customer payments on your iPhone in minutes.”
Businesses can also sign up for Tap to Pay on iPhone through distribution partnerships, including through Telstra.
Fore more details on Apple small business products visit apple.com/au/business/small-business.
NOTE:
1. Some contactless cards may not be accepted.
2. Tap to Pay on iPhone is available to American Express merchants using Tyro.