Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

Apple Pay is Here: How it works, and how to get it

Simon Hill
By

1 of 5
Apple Pay
Apple Pay
Apple Play
Apple Play
Apple Play
Apple has just announced a new mobile payment service called Apple Pay that will allow iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners to authenticate payments using Touch ID. Coupled with the NFC functionality in the new iPhone 6 models and the Apple Watch this means people can swipe their iPhone or Watch to pay for goods in store and scan their fingerprint to make secure purchases online.

Related: Want to know more about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus? Read all about it here

Close to one billion people already have a credit card linked to an iTunes account. Through a partnership with big financial service providers like American Express, Visa, and MasterCard, Apple hopes to persuade more people to get onboard with the growing mobile payments industry. You can scan a credit or debit card using your iPhone camera and Apple will verify it, or use the one you already have linked to your iTunes account.

Related

How it works

Using the updated Passbook app in iOS 8 people have the option to enable the payment system for in-store purchases and online purchases. Your payment information is encrypted and stored on the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus on a ‘Secure Element.’

This brings a new layer of security similar to chip and PIN, where the user is authenticated by something they have (the card) and something they know (the PIN). Using Apple’s system the something they have is the iPhone or Apple Watch and the something they know is their fingerprint via Touch ID.

Related: Apple Watch lets you pay for your latte with the flick of a wrist

For in store purchases where NFC terminals are in use people can tap their iPhone 6 or swipe their Apple Watch to pay. If they want an extra layer of security, instead of a PIN it will authenticate the user by asking for a fingerprint scan via Touch ID. It’s a secure and convenient system that should speed up the process. It also means that you aren’t giving your card number to the merchant because Apple is handling the transaction.

What is NFC?

Near Field Communication (NFC) has been around for years and it allows people to make purchases by tapping their smartphones or credit cards at special point of sale terminals. There are many NFC-enabled Android and Windows Phone smartphones on the market and big chains like Starbucks already allow people to pay for their coffee by tapping a card or phone. Disney is the latest company to update its stores with NFC terminals.

How to get it

The new service rolls out in iOS 8 as part of the updated Passbook app and so it will be available to new iPhone 6 owners from September 19 and for Apple Watch owners in the new year.

Related: iOS 8 opens the iPhone 6 up to mobile payments and Apple Pay

You’ll be able to use it at more than 220,000 merchant locations and Apple has partnered with retailers like Macys, Bloomingdales, Walgreen, Duane Reade, Staples, Subway, and McDonalds.

Apple Pay is also supported by a host of apps including Target, Groupon, Uber, MLB, and OpenTable. The API will be opened up to developers so we can expect more names to join that list soon.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Latest Apple Pencil is down to its cheapest-ever price
Someone using an Apple Pencil with the 10th Gen iPad.

If you just grabbed a new iPad, be sure to pair it with the Apple Pencil. It will help you get the full utility out of your expensive new device. This week is actually the best time you could buy one of the best styluses out there. Right now the stylus is only $89, $40 off its usual price of $129. There's never been a better discount on this Apple Pencil on Amazon. If the price isn't enough to convince you, let us tell you why you'll love the Apple Pencil.

Why You Should Buy the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen
Because it can be a little confusing, it's always a good idea to read our guide on which Apple Pencil works with which iPad. You can also get a little help using iPadOS's Scribble feature, which is incredibly useful when you have a stylus handy. Basically, it's a great way to leave notes for yourself about onscreen content or reading, but you will need an Apple Pencil, either 1st Gen or 2nd Gen. Either way, this deal that offers the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen for cheaper than ever is the perfect time to get yourself ready to scribble.

Read more
Hurry — Apple Watch Series 8 is back at its cheapest-ever price
An Apple Watch Series 8 with the screen on.

One of the best smartwatch deals right now is one many of us have been waiting for -- the cheapest-ever price on the Apple Watch Series 8. Over at Amazon, it's normally priced at $399 but right now, it's down to $329 for a very limited time only. We're expecting stock to fly out on this one as a $70 saving is rare to see on the latest watch from Apple. Let's take a quick look at why you might need it in your life.

Why you should buy the Apple Watch Series 8
Always one of the Apple Watch deals to watch for, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a great wearable for most people, provided they own an iPhone. At its simplest, you can use it to track all your exercise and workouts. Thanks to Apple's neat activity rings system, you're motivated to burn more calories, stand more often throughout the day, and participate in exercise too. It's surprisingly compelling and you soon end up competing against yourself with a selection of workout awards further enticing you.

Read more
How to get a Samsung Galaxy S23 for free
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra showing the screen.

Samsung fans across the world are eagerly waiting to get their hands on the newest iteration of the Galaxy smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy 23, S23+ and S23 Ultra were announced at the Samsung Unpacked Event on February 1, after being heavily rumored for months. The devices are shipping from most retailers on February 17, and you can pre-order them right now. There are several ways to get the device for free. Your options will depend on the phone carrier you have, which model you want and if you currently have a phone worth trading in. Read on for a list of all your options.
How to get the Samsung Galaxy S23 for free
The newest generation of Samsung's flagship phone offers a lot of new and upgraded features. We loved the Galaxy S23 and S23+ in our pre-launch hands-on review. On paper they've only gotten a slight upgrade in specs, but once they're in your hand, they impress. The biggest upgrade comes in the form of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which gives the phone a snappier response and allows you to use more apps at once without dragging the phone down. Unfortunately there isn't currently a way to get the S23 Ultra for free, so we won't dive into that phone. Suffice it to say the S23 Ultra is also an impressive device.

If you've decided you want the S23 or S23+, or if 'free' is just too good a price to pass up, read on for your best options.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile offers several unique ways to get the S23 and S23+ for free, but you have to be a Magenta MAX member. The offers are unique, including a trade-in option to get $1,000 of credit, enough to cover the cost of the S23 or S23+. You'll also get a free storage upgrade.

Read more