Set up and use Apple Pay: this is how it works on iPhone, Mac and Watch

With Apple Pay, Apple makes an old-fashioned debit card superfluous, because you can simply pay with your iPhone, Apple Watch or online on your Mac. In this tip you can read exactly how to set up the payment service, how it works and what the options are.

Set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac

Apple Pay in the Netherlands is finally officially available. The payment service can currently be used by ING customers. Other banks will undoubtedly follow, but it is not yet clear when this will happen. In this tip, we explain what you need per device to pay with Apple Pay.

• Set up and use Apple Pay on iPhone
• Set up and use Apple Pay on Apple Watch
• Set up and use Apple Pay on a Mac

Set up Apple Pay on an iPhone

The most common way to pay with Apple Pay is of course with an iPhone. If you have an iPhone 6 or newer, you can use the payment service. That’s because there is a special chip in the device from this iPhone, which is linked to the Touch ID or Face ID sensor to enable secure payments.

Add a debit card to Apple Pay

Before you can pay with Apple Pay, you must first add a debit card to the Wallet app on your iPhone. In countries where Apple Pay is supported, you can use this app to register and link your supporting debit card to your iPhone. This works as follows.

1. Open the Wallet app and tap the blue plus in the top right corner;
2. Follow the steps on the screen to register your card;
3. Press next to have your bank check if you can use Apple Pay. The bank may need more information from you;
4. As soon as your request has been approved, your bank card will be in Wallet and you can use Apple Pay.

Now that the debit card has been added, you can pay in stores and online with Apple Pay and the linked card. If you have more passes, you can add them in the same way above.

Pay with Apple Pay on your iPhone

If your cards are in the Wallet app, you are ready to use Apple Pay. The next time you pay online at a web store or in the App Store, or in a physical store, you can follow the steps below.

1. Check whether the payment terminal supports Apple Pay;
2. Press the side button of the iPhone twice;
3. Keep the top of the iPhone close to the payment terminal;
4. Use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm your identity.

Set up Apple Pay on an Apple Watch

If you have an Apple Watch, you can also pay with the payment service without taking your iPhone out of your pocket. You simply hold the watch above the payment terminal to pay the bill.

Link a debit card to Apple Watch Apple Pay

You can also pay with Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, but just like on the iPhone, you first have to link the card to your watch. You do this as follows.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap ‘My Watch’;
2. Choose ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’;
3. Follow the steps on the screen to add a pass;
4. At some point, the bank will check whether your pass is eligible for Apple Pay;
5. After approval, your Apple Watch is ready for Apple Pay.

Pay with Apple Pay and your Apple Watch

If you have linked a debit card to your Apple Watch, paying with Apple Pay works almost the same as on the iPhone.

1. Press the side button of the Apple Watch twice;
2. Hold the Apple Watch over a payment terminal that supports Apple Pay;
3. The Apple Watch gives a tap on your wrist when the payment is successful.

Set up Apple Pay on a MacBook

Finally, Apple Pay is also available on the Mac, although you cannot hold a MacBook over a payment terminal to pay with it contactlessly. Apple Pay on the Mac is specially intended for online payments, such as in the App Store or web shops that support the service. To use Apple Pay on a Mac, you need a Mac with Touch ID. These are, for example, all MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar, or the MacBook Air 2018.

1. Add an Apple Pay debit card to your Mac;
2. Open System Preferences and choose ‘Wallet & Apple Pay’;
3. Add a card and follow the steps on the screen;
4. Your bank will then check whether the card is suitable for Apple Pay;
5. Once this verification is complete, your Mac is ready to use Apple Pay.

Now that your debit card has been added, you can easily pay in supporting web shops by clicking the Apple Pay logo. You then place your finger on the Touch ID button to confirm your identity and complete the payment.

Where can you pay with Apple Pay?

In the countries where Apple Pay is supported, you can pay with the service if you have completed the above steps. This is possible with most wireless payment terminals that contain the above contactless payment icon. There is also an Apple Pay sticker or logo in many stores that shows that Apple’s payment service is supported.