Bet you didn’t know YOUR Apple iPhone was capable of doing THIS
APPLE rolled-out its contactless payment service – Apple Pay – in the UK last year, but you probably don’t realise why this technology could finally replace your wallet once and for all.
Apple Pay first launched in the UK in July 2015.
The payment system allows iPhone and Apple Watch owners to use their Apple-branded gadgets to pay at contactless checkouts, instead of traditional debit and credit cards.
Apple requires your fingerprint on the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to authorise a payment with an iPhone via NFC.
The company does not upload your credit or debit card details online – nor does it reveal your card details to the merchant when you pay.
Instead the privacy-minded firm generates an entirely-new Device Account Number, which is accepted instead of the numbers on your card.
However some people may have been put-off using Apple Pay.
Confusion over who is able to accept the payment – not to mention the crippling embarrassment should a transaction fail after you’ve proudly slapped your iPhone down at the till – are some of the biggest reasons people are put off using this technology.
But, if you own an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, iPhone 7, 7 Plus, or Apple Watch – you shouldn’t be scared. Apple Pay is a fast, easy and incredibly secure.
And there is another reason why Apple Pay is better than using your old-fashioned debit card that’s not widely advertised.
Unlike paying with a contactless credit or debit card, Apple Pay is now pretty much limitless, which means large transactions are now accepted in a range of stores across the UK.
Earlier this year, an £825,000 vintage Aston Martin was purchased using Apple Pay.
The car was sold through international auctioneers Coys of Kesington, and was one of four classic cars available to buy.
The winner of the auction paid for the car using Apple's payment service making it the largest in-app purchase ever processed.
Due to security issues, contactless cards are limited to small amounts under £30, but because of the biometric security measures in place – as well as the Device Account Number – used with Apple Pay, more cash can be spent.
Here are some of the high street stores that accept limitless Apple Pay –
Grocery:
M&S • Waitrose • Lidl • Aldi
Clothes and Fashion:
New Look • Uniqlo • Burberry • Dune
Restaurants:
Pizza Hut • Bill’s • Wagamamas • TGi Fridays • Starbucks
Fuel:
BP • Shell (rolling out)
Other:
Boots • Halfords • Harvey Nichols • Apple Retail • Liberty • Cabs • TfL
Your Apple Pay Guide
Which Device Do I Need?
Apple Pay only works with the iPhone 6 or later (including the iPhone SE) and iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 or later.
It also works on all models of the Apple Watch.
How Does It Work?
Apple Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication) antenna technology, which allows your iPhone to talk wirelessly with contactless payment machines.
When you're purchasing products in stores that accept Apple Pay, you simply tap your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch at the till and head for the exit.
All of your credit and store cards will be held in your iPhone's passbook app and can be added by simply taking a picture of them.
Online shopping will also be easier as you can use Apple Pay to buy products with a single touch within apps.
Is Apple Pay Safe?
Apple says their service is far more secure than current payment methods as every time you hand over your standard credit or debit card to pay, your card number and identity are visible.
With Apple Pay, once a card is added all of its data is encrypted and Apple say your actual credit or debit card numbers are never shared with merchants or transmitted with a payment.
Each time you pay you'll need to use the TouchID fingerprint scanner – this allows your iPhone and iPad to identify you as the shopper and adds an extra layer of security.
If your device is stolen you can stop the ability to make payments from credit and debit cards through your Apple iCloud account.
