How to use Apple Pay

Apple Pay makes shopping more convenient while protecting your credit card information. Launched in 2014, the payments service supports tap-to-pay in brick-and-mortar stores, online apps and websites, and person-to-person payments with Apple Cash. Step-by-step instructions on how to use Apple Pay.

How to use Apple Pay on your iPhone or Apple Watch

Before you can use Apple Pay, you must add at least one credit or debit card to Apple Wallet. For detailed instructions, see Engadget’s Apple Pay setup guide.

The first thing to know about using Apple Pay in brick-and-mortar stores is that only some vendors support Apple Pay. For example, Walmart resisted for a long time, choosing instead to promote (QR code-based) Walmart Pay. Even though competitor Lowe’s finally started accepting Apple Pay (in stores and in its app) in late 2023, Home Depot doesn’t support it either.

If you’re not sure if your store supports it, you can look for the tap-to-pay logo (tap the card with your hand and it emits waves) or the Apple Pay icon. You can also ask Siri to show you nearby locations where the service is available.

Once you have access to an Apple Pay-enabled device, follow these steps on your iPhone:

1. Double-click the side button on the right side of your iPhone.

2. Look at your iPhone and authenticate with Face ID (for older models, place your finger on the Touch ID sensor).

3. Tap the top of your phone onto the card reader. It’s usually near where the tap-to-pay logo appears. If your payment is successfully read, you will see a check mark and hear a “beep” sound.

If you’re paying with your Apple Watch, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the side (bottom right) button of the clock.

2. Tap your Apple Watch and tap the payment terminal near the payments logo. Once the transaction is complete, you will hear a beep and see a check mark.

If that doesn’t work, make sure the location accepts Apple Pay and the system is working. If so, ask the person working there about the best place to tap the payment terminal.

If you want to use Apple Pay with a card other than your default card, double-click the side button on your device, then tap the card on the screen (before paying). You can swipe through the cards you’ve added and select the one you want before tapping to confirm.

How to buy online with Apple Pay

Many websites and third-party apps accept Apple Pay. This not only eliminates the need to enter credit card information, but also provides additional security. Apple Pay uses encrypted one-time “virtual tokens” in place of actual credit card information. So even if a hacker were to break into a vendor’s system, they would only be able to see the encrypted token associated with Apple Pay, and they would not be able to use it for further transactions.

You can use Apple Pay for online (web and in-app) transactions on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro.

1. Look for Apple Pay on the website or app at checkout. Please select it as your payment option at checkout.

2. When prompted, approve secure transactions using Face ID (new iPhones and iPads), Touch ID (Mac and older iPhones and iPads), or Optic ID (Vision Pro). Once approved, you will hear a ding sound and see an approval animation.

If you’re using a MacBook connected to an external monitor (with the lid closed), you can now use Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID instead of opening the lid of your laptop to access the sensor. be careful.

How to send money using Apple Pay

Apple Cash lets you send, receive, and request money through the Messages app. It’s designed as an alternative to services like Venmo and Cash App, allowing you to exchange funds with people you know and trust.

First, make sure you have Apple Cash set up. On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap your Apple Cash card. When prompted, tap Set up Apple Cash. On an iPad, Apple Watch, or Vision Pro, go to: setting > Wallet and Apple Payselect your Apple Cash card, and follow the instructions to set it up.

Once you’ve activated Apple Cash, here’s how to send money.

1. Open the Messages app and select the chat thread of the person you want to send money to.

2. Tap the plus button to the left of the text entry box.

3. Select “Apple Cash” from the fan menu on the left.

4. Enter the amount you want to send.

5. Tap Send.

6. The Apple Cash symbol will appear in your draft message. When you’re ready to send, tap the up arrow.

7. Follow the security prompts to complete the transaction. This means her Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode on your iPhone or iPad. On Apple Watch, double-tap the side button. Vision Pro uses Optic ID.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon

Unfortunately, Apple Pay is currently not available on Amazon’s website or mobile app. The closest ones are vendors using Amazon Payments Services for non-Amazon stores. Online retailers offer these merchants the option to accept Apple Pay.

If you encounter a third-party site or app that uses Amazon Payment Services, the steps are the same as those in How to Use Apple Pay Online above. Add the items you want to your cart, select Apple Pay as your payment option, and follow the security steps to confirm and complete your transaction.