What is Apple Pay?
Launched in 2014 in the United States and then two years later in France, Apple Pay is a dematerialized, contactless mobile payment solution developed by the Cupertino firm. Using eligible Apple equipment, it enables you to make a payment in a store, on a website or on a partner app by pressing the side or main button on your device, depending on whether it is equipped with Touch ID or Face ID (see below).
"Accepted on millions of websites and apps", says Apple, this dematerialized payment service is integrated by default. To use it, simply add a credit, debit or prepaid card to the Cards application, then make your payment on a platform offering this means of payment, or in a partner store that prominently displays the Apple Pay logo in its window or on its checkouts. On the solution's presentation page, the company points out that no additional fees are charged when you make a purchase, and that "your identity and credit card number are never shared with merchants, nor stored on your device or on Apple servers".
How do I add a card to Apple Pay?
To add a card (debit, credit, prepaid, meal voucher, etc.) to your iPhone, you'll need to follow these steps:
- Go to the Cards application,
- Click on the + icon in the top right-hand corner,
- Press Credit card to add a new card,
- Click on Continue,
- Scan your credit card using the camera, or enter the data manually (card number, CVC, expiry date),
- Check the data on the screen and add any missing information,
- Accept the General Terms of Use,
- Finalize the procedure by clicking Next.
On a Mac with Touch ID or an iPad, go to the Settings application (or System Settings on a Mac), then to Cards and Apple Pay, then follow the on-screen steps. To configure the payment solution on an Apple Watch, you need to go to the Watch app on your paired iPhone, then click on Cards and Apple Pay within the My Watch tab.
The bank card can be scanned using the camera. © Montage BDM
How do I pay with an iPhone or Apple Watch in store?
Once your card has been integrated into the Cartes (or Wallets) application, simply visit a partner store displaying one of these symbols. The payment procedure then depends on your iPhone model:
iPhone X or later (Face ID)
Using your card with a Face ID-enabled device is very simple:
- Double-tap the side button on your iPhone,
- Authenticate yourself with Face ID or enter your secret code,
- Select the appropriate card,
- Move the top of your device towards the payment terminal.
Please note: if you have an Apple Watch, the procedure is identical. Simply double-click the side button, then bring your watch up to the contactless reader.
iPhone 6 to iPhone 8 (Touch ID)
For older models with Touch ID, the procedure is similar:
- Press your iPhone's main button twice,
- Choose a card,
- Move the top of your iPhone towards the contactless reader.
How do I pay with Apple Pay on a website or app?
As previously mentioned, online transactions via Apple Pay can only be made if the option is offered on the website or app. To make a payment, simply choose Apple Pay as your payment method, enter your shipping and billing information as you normally would, and then initiate the payment process.
Thereafter, you'll be asked to repeat the same procedure as in-store on your device, i.e. press the side or main button on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch twice, then identify yourself. If you wish to make this payment from a Touch ID-enabled Mac, "follow the instructions on the Touch Bar and place your finger on the Touch ID sensor", explains Apple. Once the payment has been made, a validation message should appear on the screen.