Apple has officially introduced the Tap to Pay on iPhone feature in South Africa, allowing merchants to process contactless payments using just their iPhones and compatible iOS applications. This functionality enables businesses, regardless of size, to accept payments from contactless credit and debit cards, as well as from Apple Pay and other digital wallets.
To complete a transaction, customers simply need to hold their card, iPhone, Apple Watch, or another digital wallet near the merchant’s device. The payment process utilizes NFC technology, eliminating the need for additional hardware or a dedicated payment terminal.
Supported Payment Platforms
The initial rollout in South Africa includes support from iStore Pay and Yoco, marking them as the first payment platforms to enable this feature. Currently, the service supports Mastercard and Visa, with plans to add support for American Express in the near future.
Global Expansion of Tap to Pay
Tap to Pay on iPhone was first launched in the United States in February 2022 and has since expanded to numerous markets. In 2025 alone, the feature was introduced in 18 new countries in May, followed by five additional European countries in September, and further launches in Singapore and Hong Kong in December. Malaysia was added in April 2026, and Apple confirmed that the feature is now available in 50 markets worldwide.
Privacy and Security Features
Apple emphasizes the privacy of transactions conducted through Tap to Pay on iPhone. All transactions are encrypted and processed via the device’s Secure Element, ensuring that Apple does not have access to purchase details or buyer identities. Notably, card numbers and transaction data are not stored on the device or on Apple’s servers.
To utilize Tap to Pay on iPhone, users must have an iPhone XS or later, operating on the latest version of iOS.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
