Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, speaks during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, March 25, 2019.
Stephen Lam | Reuters
I love using Apple Pay to buy stuff but, often, when I use my iPhone at a cafe or in the cafeteria, I hear from someone nearby: "I didn't know you could do that!" When I was recently buying a new iPhone with my father in law, he was surprised to learn that I could use my iPhone to make the purchase and said "You gotta show me how to set that up!"
So I'm going to do that.
Apple Pay has been around since 2015, and it allows you to buy things by tapping your iPhone at a checkout terminal. These terminals are all over the place: Coffee shops, gas stations, retailers and even some public transit lines. You don't have to take out your credit card card. It's even a great backup if you accidentally left your wallet in the car. And all you need is an iPhone 6 or newer.
There's also a privacy benefit to using Apple Pay. Apple doesn't track your transactions or tie them to you, and it doesn't share your credit card or debit card numbers with merchants when you make a purchase. So, if a retailer gets hacked and thieves get a bunch of credit card data used to make purchases there, your card number won't be taken if you used Apple Pay.
It's supported by banks and credit cards around the world, so chances are you own a credit card or have an account at a bank that uses it.
Plus, you can use Apple Pay on other Apple devices like your Mac or iPad to buy stuff on websites if you use Safari. Once you set it up on your phone, you'll just need to enter in the 3-digit or 4-digit CCV number on the back of your card to use it on your Apple Watch, iPad or Mac.
By the way, don't confuse Apple Pay with the Apple Card, which is a separate credit card you can apply for and use. Apple Pay is a system that lets you buy stuff with cards you already have, while the Apple Card is just a separate credit card option. The two work together, but you don't need the Apple Card to use Apple Pay.
How to use Apple Pay on your iPhone
Todd Haselton | CNBC
The iPhone is the best starting point for using Apple Pay, since it's the device you'll use to tap-and-pay at retailers around the world. To get started:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the "+" button on the top-right to add a card.
- Tap "Continue."
- Grab the credit or debit card you want to associate with Apple Pay.
- Position your iPhone's camera to focus on card number (it's either on the front or back).
- Your iPhone will pull in the card number written on your card.
- Confirm the details are right and tap "Next."
- Enter in your card's 3-digit or 4-digit CVV number (usually found on the back).
- Tap "Next."
- Agree to your bank or credit card's terms of service.
- Repeat these steps to add additional cards.
Now you'll see the card in the Wallet app on your iPhone.
How to use Apple Pay to buy stuff with your iPhone
A worker demonstrates Apple Pay inside a mobile kiosk sponsored by Visa and Wells Fargo.
Getty Images
Now that you've set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, it's time to use it. If you walk into a shop that accepts mobile payments, you'll see logos that show if Apple Pay is accepted. (Pro-tip: some stores show the cards they accept, even Apple Pay, with stickers on their front door.)
You're looking for these symbols:
Here's what to do when you're ready to buy something:
- If you have a newer iPhone with Face ID (like the iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max), just double tap the power button on the side of the phone and your cards will appear.
- If you have a phone with a home button, open the Wallet app and bring up the card, then hold your finger on Touch ID (on the home button) to verify yourself.
- Bring your iPhone close to the contactless terminal.
I've found most retailers are happy to help if you get confused. Even if you don't see a sign, you can always ask if they accept Apple Pay. You'll probably be surprised how many retailers (especially in the U.S.) accept it.
How to use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch
VCG | Visual China Group | Getty Images
Once you've set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, you can add the cards to your Apple Watch to use it to buy stuff, too. Here's what to do:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Choose "Wallet & Apple Pay."
- Select "Add Card"
- Hit "Continue."
- Select one of the cards you'd like to use on your Apple Watch (and that you've already set up on your iPhone.)
- Verify the 3-digit or 4-digit CCV code.
- Agree to the terms.
Now, you can use your Apple Watch or your iPhone to buy stuff where Apple Pay is accepted. Just do this:
- Double tap the power button (not the digital crown) on the side of your Apple Watch.
- Your cards will appear. Swipe to choose the one you want.
- Hold your Apple Watch near the reader in the store to buy something.
How to use Apple Pay on a Mac
Apple Pay on Mac.
Apple
Apple Pay not only works in the physical world, but also works with the Safari web browser and apps on the Mac, so you can use it to buy stuff online. You just need a Mac with a Touch ID fingerprint reader or a model introduced after 2012, and an iPhone or Apple Watch that's set up with Apple Pay. You can add cards on your Mac by doing this:
- Open System Preferences from the top-left menu.
- Select "Wallet & Apple Pay."
- Choose "Add Card."
- Select one of the cards you've already set up on your iPhone and confirm the CCV (or enter in a new card.)
- Agree to the terms.
When you're checking out on a website that accepts Apple Pay, just select that option and choose the card you want to use. You'll verify yourself using either the fingerprint reader on your Mac or using an Apple Watch or iPhone. Just double tap the side button on your iPhone X or later with Face ID, touch the Touch ID home button on an iPhone 8 or earlier, or double tap the side button of your Apple Watch to confirm.
How to use Apple Pay on an iPad
Apple Pay on iPad
Apple
You can also use Apple Pay in Safari and in apps on an iPad, just like on a Mac. To add a card on an iPad, do this:
- Open Settings.
- Tap "Wallet & Apple Pay."
- Tap "Add Card."
- Position your iPhone's camera to focus on card number (it's either on the front or back.)
- Your iPhone will pull in the card number written on your card.
- Confirm the details are right and tap "Next."
- Enter in your card's 3-digit or 4-digit CVV number (usually found on the back.)
- Tap "Next."
- Agree to your bank or credit card's terms of service.
- Repeat these steps to add additional cards.
That's it! Now you've learned how to use Apple Pay on your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad.
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FAQs
How do I use Apple Pay on my iPhone and Apple Watch? ›
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap My Watch, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay. If you have cards on your other Apple devices, or cards that you recently removed, tap Add next to a card you want to add, then enter the card's CVV. For any other card, tap Add Card, then follow the onscreen instructions.
How do I use Apple Pay on my iPhone to pay on my Mac? ›Click the Apple Pay button on the website, then to confirm the payment, use Face ID, Touch ID, or the passcode on your iPhone, or double-click the side button on your unlocked Apple Watch. You must be signed in to an iPhone or Apple Watch that has Apple Pay set up with the same Apple ID you're using on your Mac mini.
How do I use Apple Pay on my iPad? ›- During checkout, tap the Apple Pay button.
- Review the payment information. You can change the credit card, billing and shipping addresses, and contact information.
- Complete the payment:
- Double-click the side button.
- Your default card opens automatically. Scroll down to choose another card.
- Hold the display of your Apple Watch near the contactless reader until you feel a gentle tap and hear a beep.
- In the Wallet app, tap the Add button . ...
- Tap Continue.
- Follow the steps on the screen to add a new card.
- Verify your information with your bank or card issuer. ...
- If you have a paired Apple Watch, you have the option to also add the card to your watch.
- Tap the Apple Pay button or choose Apple Pay as your payment method.
- To pay with a different card, tap the Next button or the Expand Menu button next to your default card.
- If necessary, enter your billing, shipping, and contact information. ...
- Confirm the payment.
Check that you're able to use Apple Pay: Contact your card issuer to see if they support Apple Pay. Update to the latest version of iOS, watchOS, or macOS. Confirm that you have Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode set on your device.
How do I use Apple Pay without double clicking? ›On an iPhone with Face ID, you can also use AssistiveTouch or use Switch Control to confirm payments with Face ID instead of double-clicking the side button.
What is tap to pay on iPhone? ›Tap to Pay on iPhone lets you accept contactless payments, right on iPhone — without any extra terminals or hardware. Accept payments from contactless credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, Apple Watch, and smartphones with other digital wallets. All you need is a supported app from the App Store.
Can you use Apple Pay at gas stations? ›1. Make sure the gas pump has the Apple Pay icon or Contactless Reader symbol on it. 2. Double-click the side button on your iPhone (or use your Apple Watch) and either enter your passcode or use Face ID to authenticate.
How do I tap to pay on my Apple Card? ›
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap Apple Card. Tap Pay. Hold and slide the payment wheel to choose a payment amount. Tap Pay [amount] to instantly make your payment, then follow the instructions on your screen.
Does Apple Pay open automatically? ›How It Works. In a retail store, when approaching a point-of-sale system compatible with Apple Pay, the screen of the iPhone lights up and opens Wallet automatically, where a user can tap on a credit card to be used or pay with the default Apple Pay card.
Is Apple Pay the same as Apple wallet? ›Apple Pay Only Works on Apple Devices
If you want to use Apple Pay, you must use an Apple device, either an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. That means you won't be able to use the service if you decide to switch to Android from iPhone, for example. The day you move is when you lose access to your Apple Pay wallet.
You can sign up in as little as a minute and start using it right away with Apple Pay. Your transactions, payments, and account details are all in one place, where only you can see them.
What is the difference between Apple Pay and Apple cash? ›What's the difference between Apple Cash and Apple Pay? Apple Cash is a digital card in Wallet that lets you send and receive money in Messages or Wallet. The money you receive appears on your Apple Cash card in Wallet. You can spend it however you like in stores, online, and in apps with Apple Pay.
How do I pay with my phone? ›- Open the Google Wallet app .
- At the top, tap the card you want to use. You may need to swipe to find it.
- Check the message above your card: “Hold to reader" . Your card is ready to tap and pay. “Card not set up” .
You may also be able to use Apple Pay at an ATM machine to make a cash withdrawal², if the ATM supports contactless — and therefore cardless — withdrawals. To find an ATM that takes Apple Pay you'll need to look out for the contactless symbol which will be displayed prominently on the ATM machine.
Do I need iPhone to pay with Apple Watch? ›Once you set up Apple Pay in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you're ready to make store purchases—even when you don't have your iPhone with you.
Why is my Apple Pay not working on my Apple Watch? ›Restart. Restart your Apple watch and then try again. This is easy to do. Restarting may fix your Apple Watch's Apple Pay problem.
How do I know if Apple Pay is working? ›To test Apple Pay, you need an Apple sandbox tester account which you use to make the payment. You log into your test device with this new Apple sandbox tester account, and make test purchases. To create a sandbox tester account: Ensure you have a real Apple ID, and that it is part of the Apple Developer Program.
Why doesn't my Apple Pay work? ›
If Apple Pay is not working on your iPhone, make sure the terminal works with Apple Pay. If it does, try selecting the credit card manually from your Wallet app. Other tips include replacing your credit card in the Wallet app and signing out and back into your Apple ID.
Why is my Apple Pay declining when I have money? ›Some possible reasons for why the transaction is declining even though the digital card still appears in the Apple wallet include: Your physical card has been temporarily locked. Your card or the transaction account has insufficient funds or limit for the transaction.
What is the triple click side button on my iPhone? ›Triple-click the side button or Home button
With Accessibility Shortcut, you can quickly turn on or off accessibility features by triple-clicking the side button (on an iPhone with Face ID) or triple-clicking the Home button (on other iPhone models).
Mobile payments
Mobile tap to pay differs slightly from contactless card payments in that consumers can pay through an app rather than using a physical card. This is increasingly customers' preferred way to pay, since they rarely leave the house without their phones.
Walmart does accept its digital payment method, Walmart Pay, despite not accepting Apple Pay. Walmart doesn't accept Apple Pay because it wants to keep things separate from its digital payment system. The Walmart Pay app allows retailers to engage with consumers, provide notifications, and accept payments online.
Does Dollar Tree take Apple Pay? ›So not only does the Dollar Tree take Apple Pay, it also has the technology to accept Visa, Mastercard, and Google Pay with a simple tap. Dollar Tree is in good company. There are a ton of other stores accepting Apple Pay, including Trader Joe's, Bath & Body Works, and Aldi, just to name a few.
How do I pay for gas at pump with Apple Pay? ›To use Apple Pay at a gas station, the pump will have the Apple pay icons visible indicating it is available for use. To pay at the pump, double-click the side button and either enter your passcode or use Face ID to authenticate.
How can I pay for gas without a card? ›Yes, you can pay with the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app, use your Alexa enabled device and say "Alexa, pay for gas", or use a digital wallet on your smartphone to tap and pay at the pump with Apple Pay or Google Pay.
How do I manually accept Apple Pay? ›On your iPhone
Open the Wallet app, then tap your Apple Cash card. , then tap Card Details . Tap Automatically Accept Payments or Manually Accept Payments.
The wallet app is iPhone only. iPads do not have a wallet app. There is a wallet in iPad settings for use with the cards you use for online purchases.
Where is Wallet on iPad? ›
Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, then tap Add Card. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Do one of the following: Add a new card: Tap Debit or Credit Card, tap Continue, then position your card so that it appears in the frame, or enter the card details manually.
Why can't i double click side button for Apple Pay? ›Contact your card issuer to see if they support Apple Pay. Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, watchOS, or macOS. Make sure that you are in a supported country or region. Check that your device is compatible with Apple Pay.
Where is my Apple Wallet icon? ›If you can't find your Apple Wallet, go to the App Store on your phone and search 'Apple Wallet'. If you have removed it by accident, you will have the option to install it again shown on the screen.
Do I just connect my Apple Watch with my iPhone or do I have to pay? ›No, you do not have to pay a monthly charge to use your watch. As long as you have your paired iPhone with you, you can answer and make calls from your watch, send messages, etc., without paying the $10 monthly fee.
Can I use Apple Pay on different devices? ›Yes, you can add your card to multiple Apple Pay Passbooks/Wallets on up to nine devices.
Does Apple Pay work across devices? ›It's simple. Just add a credit, debit, or prepaid card to the Wallet app on your iPhone. And remember to add your cards to any other Apple devices you want to use with Apple Pay. It works on iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad.
Do I need my iPhone to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch? ›Once you set up Apple Pay in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, you're ready to make store purchases—even when you don't have your iPhone with you. (Apple Pay isn't available in all regions.)
Do you have to pay monthly to use your Apple Watch? ›Do you need to pay monthly for the cellular Apple Watch? The Apple Watch models with GPS + Cellular support LTE connectivity. This allows you to use your current carrier plan for some extra monthly fee, which is around $10.
Do you need your phone with your Apple Watch? ›If you have an Apple Watch with GPS + Cellular capabilities, you can make calls and send texts directly from your wrist, even when you don't have your iPhone. In addition, if your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, you can use your watch to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead.
How do I sync Apple Pay between devices? ›- Go to your device's Settings App → iCloud and make sure: ...
- Open eWallet on your iPhone or iPad, but do not enter the password yet (you may need to tap the Wallets button.
- Tap the cloud icon.
- Select your wallet under CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE and then select iCloud.
Can my card be on two Apple pays? ›
Yes, a card can be added to Apple Pay on up to nine different devices but the card will need to be added to each device separately.
How do I use Apple Pay without the side button? ›On an iPhone with Face ID, you can also use AssistiveTouch or use Switch Control to confirm payments with Face ID instead of double-clicking the side button.
Do you need Wi-Fi to use Apple Pay on Apple Watch? ›Apple Pay allows you to make payments in offline mode (when you're unable to use your data or Wi-Fi), or during a call.
Can I use Apple Pay on a non Apple Watch? ›Apple Pay is Apple's mobile payment service, which lets users with an iPhone 6 or newer, as well as Apple Watch owners, make payments using NFC with their devices. Apple Pay is also available in apps and on the web on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Can you use Apple Pay with just the Apple Watch? ›When you're shopping in an app on your Apple Watch, choose the Apple Pay option during checkout. Review the payment, shipping, and billing information, then double-click the side button to pay with your Apple Watch.