Apple Pay is Apple’s convenient payment service that allows you to make contactless payments in participating stores, apps and web shops using your iPhone or Apple Watch.
In this manual we explain what Pay is, how it works and how you can activate the payment service on your iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac. Of course we also tell you how you can make payments and in which stores. Unfortunately Apple Pay is not available at all banks, a complete overview of supporting banks for Apple Pay can be found here. When Apple’s payment service will be available to other banks is currently unknown unknown.
Banks that offer Apple Pay
In The Netherlands support ABN AMRO, Bunq, ING, SNS, ASN Bank, Revolut and Rabobank Apple’s payment service, but smaller and online banks also support Apple Pay. A full overview can be found here . In Belgium BNP Paribas, ING and KBC support the service, of course smaller banks also offer Apple Pay. Click on the link below for a complete overview.
Compatible devices for Apple Pay
The payment cards can be used directly on an iPhone 6 (Plus) or newer, all iPhone SE models and the Apple Watch. The iPad and Mac can also use Apple’s payment service online and in apps. A complete overview of all supporting devices can be found here back.
What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is nothing more, but certainly nothing less than a payment service from Apple that uses your existing debit and credit cards. You can securely link these to your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch and then make payments with them. The iPhone and Apple Watch both have an NFC chip built in that you can use to make payments in stores.
By holding your iPhone or Watch next to a payment terminal, the payment is completed. The amount is then debited from your account that is linked to your payment card. Normally you take your payment card to pay in a store, because you have added it to your iPhone or Watch you can use this device to complete the payment. On a Mac or iPad you can only make online payments and is comparable to iDeal.
Is Apple Pay safe and does it cost extra?
You have to add your payment cards per device, which means that they are not synced with all your devices. In addition, no receipts are stored on your device and no data is shared with stores during a payment. To be able to pay, you must use Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone. If you want to pay with the Apple Watch, it must be unlocked and on your wrist. This makes Pay safe to use and no one else can access your data.
The retailer or webshop can charge an additional amount for using Apple’s payment service, but this is already the case for some cards or options. In most cases, you can use Pay without additional costs. Apple itself does not charge the consumer anything extra for using this service.
Adding a payment card on an iPhone or iPad
There are two ways to add a payment card to your iPhone, via your bank’s app or directly via the Wallet application on your iPhone. In both cases, make sure you have installed the latest update.
- Open the Wallet application
- Tap ‘New Credit or Debit Card’ or the plus button
- Choose a bank or card issuer
- Follow the steps to add a new card
- Tap next and perform a verification from your bank if necessary
- Follow the remaining steps and your card will be added to your Wallet
When you add a credit card to your iTunes account, the Wallet app will suggest adding it to Pay the first time. Modify existing maps can be done by tapping the card in Wallet and then tapping the i button. Adjust the desired details and confirm by tapping ‘Done’.
Via Settings ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay you can choose your default payment card and change some details. You can also add a new payment card via this setting. Do you want to add payment card to your iPad then you can do this via Settings ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay.
Add payment cards to your Apple Watch
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
- Navigate to ‘My Watch’
- Tap ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’ in the list
Follow the steps to add a card, if a card has already been added to the iPhone you can easily add it via this view. Tap on ‘Add Card’ to add a new card. Follow the steps to complete adding. Via these settings you can also choose your default payment card and adjust some details.
Add Pay Payment Cards on a Mac
- Open ▸ System Settings / System Preferences ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay
- Tap ‘Add Card’
- Follow the steps to add the new card
When you add a credit card to your iTunes account, the Wallet app will suggest adding it to Apple Pay the first time. If you need to enter a verification code from your bank, do so by clicking on the card in the Wallet overview in System Preferences. You can also edit existing cards this way.
Using Apple Pay on a Mac without Touch ID
The above only applies to Macs with Touch ID. If you have a Mac from 2012 or later, you can also use Apple Pay in combination with your iPhone or Apple Watch. On your iPhone, go to Settings ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay ▸ Enable the option ‘Allow Payments on Mac’. Now when you make a payment via Pay on your Mac, you will receive a notification on your iPhone to complete the payment with Apple Pay.
Pay with your iPhone
When you can pay with Apple’s payment service, this will be indicated in the store using the Pay logo or the wireless payment logo (see this image) or ask during payment. Paying with your iPhone is very easy and you do it with the following steps:
- Place your finger on the home button for Touch ID
- Hold the top of your iPhone next to/on the payment terminal
- A connection is made immediately
- Your fingerprint checked
- Payment is made using your default card
If you have linked multiple cards and you want to use another card, hold your iPhone next to the payment terminal without placing your finger on Touch ID. Then choose a card and place your finger on Touch ID to complete the payment. Using your fingerprint, you can confirm your identity; if Touch ID does not work, you can enter your iPhone’s access code to make the payment. Only when you have confirmed your identity will the payment be made, not before.
Make Apple Pay payments using Face ID
- Look at your iPhone while pressing the side button twice quickly
- Your iPhone will be unlocked and Apple Pay will be activated
- Your default payment card will be activated immediately or open another one
- Hold the top of your iPhone next to/on the payment terminal
- Please wait for the payment to be processed
By looking at your iPhone, Face ID is activated immediately and your face is scanned, if the iPhone cannot recognize you, your access code is requested. Only when you have confirmed your identity, the payment is made, not before.
Paying with an Apple Watch
- Make sure your Apple Watch is on your wrist and unlocked
- Press the side button twice quickly
- Select a card (swipe left or right)
- Now hold the Apple Watch next to the payment terminal
- Wait until you feel a tap (vibration)
- The payment is being processed
Make online payments via Apple Pay in Safari or in an App
You can also pay online with Pay and it is comparable to iDeal. When paying for your order, you can also choose Pay if the website has activated this option. Click/Tap on the Pay button and check if the details are correct. Choose the desired card and follow the steps on the screen.
On an iPhone or Mac, you can use Touch ID or Face ID to confirm the payment. On a Mac (as described above), you can also complete the payment via your iPhone or Apple Watch. For the Apple Watch, double-tap the side button or use Touch ID/Face ID on your iPhone.
Set default map and add name
If you have added multiple payment cards, it is possible to set a default card so that it is always prepared first for a payment. On an iPhone/iPad you can set this via Settings ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay ▸ Default Card. For the Apple Watch, go to the Watch app on the iPhone ▸ My Watch ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay ▸ Default Card. On a Mac, you do this via ▸ System Preferences ▸ Wallet & Apple Pay.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to name your payment cards. You will have to remember which payment card belongs to which account based on the last four digits.
View purchase history
Of course, you can check your current account to see which transactions you have made. But specifically for Apple Pay, you can also do this via the Wallet application. Open this and open your payment card. Tap the i button and then the ‘Transactions’ tab. With some banks or card issuers, you will only see transactions that you have made with this device. With others, you may see all transactions that have been made via your credit or debit card, both with Apple Pay and with the card itself.
How can I use Pay as a retailer or online webshop?
Are you a retailer or do you have an online webshop and would you like to add Apple’s payment service to the payment options for your customers, then you can. Apple has put together an information page with everything you need to do as a retailer to activate Pay. You can find this page here back.