Select a region
Apple Pay is here, giving many the chance to go contactless for the first time.
However, there are a few things you need to have in place first in order to take advantage of the service. Tick off this checklist first:
- You have an iPhone 6, 6 Plus
Or
- An iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 to use Apple Pay only digitally
Or
- An Apple Watch paired with an iPhone 5 or newer
You must then make sure your device is updated to iOS 8.3, you have the UK set as your region, and you have an iCloud account.
You’ll also need to be using a bank card from one of Apple Pay’s partners. Right now that is NatWest, Nationwide, RBS, Santander, Ulster Bank and MBNA.
HSBC and first direct will join later this month, while Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank and TSB Bank will all be using Apple Pay “by this fall”.
Open the Passbook app and you’ll see the Apple Pay option at the top of the screen. Tap Add Credit or Debit Card to start the process. If you’re setting up Apple Pay via an iPad you will need to go through settings instead of Passbook, but the set-up process will be otherwise the same.
You’ll now see an Apple Pay information screen, tap Next to move on to the set-up screen, where you can use your iPhone camera to scan your bank card. Once confirmed the app will ask you to enter your security code and in some cases provide extra verification.
Once the verification is confirmed you are set-up and ready to go.
Stores with the contactless or Apple Pay logo will support the service, and users simply have to hold their device within an inch of the contactless reader while keeping their finger placed on Touch ID, without pressing it.
And you can use Apple Pay to buy things online too: this means no longer having to enter your card details every time you buy something. With Apple Pay set-up, all you have to do is use your fingerprint and Touch ID to confirm a purchase, tapping the Apple Pay or Buy with Apple Pay button.
If you’ve got an Apple Watch you can use this to tap and pay, as well as tap in and out on the London transport network too.
a lot of retailers are also ditching the contactless payment limit of £20 too – Pret has already confirmed there’s no upper limit in their stores, so unlimited sandwiches await. Happy shopping.
