Apple Pay is a transformative mobile payment system developed by Apple Inc., allowing users to make payments in person, online, and in applications.
As a secure and convenient way to make transactions, Apple Pay is popular for its ability to transform your iPhone into a wallet.
Here is a detailed guide on how to set up and use Apple Pay on your iPhone.
Prerequisites
Before we dive into the setup process, ensure that you have the following:
- An iPhone that supports Apple Pay. (Feature is available on iPhone 6 and later models)
- A credit or debit card.
- An iPhone connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.
Step 1: Access the Wallet App
The Wallet app is a pre-installed application on your iPhone that stores your payment cards, boarding passes, tickets, and more. To set up Apple Pay, you will start with this app.
You can find the Wallet app by using the search function on your iPhone or by manually locating it in your App Library. After you have located the Wallet app, tap on it to launch it.
Note: Upon launching the app for the first time, it may request permission to access your location. This is a standard request to ensure the functionality of the app and should be granted.
The Wallet app might display some existing cards if you’ve used Apple Pay on this iPhone before, or it will show a blank panel if this is your first time using Apple Pay.
Step 2: Add a New Card
To start the process of adding a new card, tap the plus (+) icon, which you can find in the top right corner of the Wallet app screen. Tapping this icon will take you to a new panel where you can add your card details.
Step 3: Choose Card Type
In the new panel, you will be presented with the options to apply for an Apple Card or to add an existing credit or debit card. If you want to apply for an Apple Card, follow the on-screen instructions. However, if you are adding an existing credit or debit card, select that option to proceed.
Step 4: Add the Card Details
Once you’ve chosen to add a credit or debit card, a screen will appear explaining the functionalities and implications of adding a card to Apple Pay. After reading, click ‘Continue’ to proceed.
Method 1: Camera Card Setup
To make the card setup process faster and simpler, Apple Pay allows you to use your iPhone’s camera to scan your card details. After clicking ‘Continue’, the Wallet app will open a camera frame. Place your card within this frame, ensuring the card details are clear and visible. The app will automatically capture and fill in your card details.
Following this, the app will connect with your card provider to verify the details. This might take a few seconds or minutes, depending on your card provider. After verification, your card will be added to the Wallet app.
Method 2: Manual Card Setup
If you prefer not to use your camera or if the camera is unable to read your card, you can also input your card information manually. You can select the option to ‘Enter Card Details Manually’ and proceed to input your name and card number in the provided fields.
Just like the previous method, the app will then connect with your card provider to verify your details. Once the verification process is complete, your card will be added to the Wallet app.
Step 5: Activate Apple Pay
Now that your card is added and verified, it will appear in your Wallet app and you are ready to use Apple Pay. This is where the convenience and magic of Apple Pay really come into play. To make a payment, all you have to do is double-click the power button on your iPhone. This will bring up Apple Pay, displaying your added card or cards.
For security purposes, you will be asked to authenticate the payment. This could be through Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, depending on your iPhone model and settings.
Step 6: Make Payments with Apple Pay
With Apple Pay activated and your identity authenticated, you can now make your payment. Simply hold your iPhone near the merchant’s card reader or contactless payment terminal. Your iPhone will use near-field communication (NFC) to securely communicate with the terminal and process your payment.
Remember that you don’t need to open the Wallet app to initiate payment. Simply waking up your iPhone and holding it to the payment terminal will prompt Apple Pay to launch, ready for you to authenticate and complete the transaction.
Step 7: Verifying Your Transaction
Once your payment has been processed, you’ll receive a subtle vibration and beep to confirm that the transaction was successful. Additionally, the most recent transaction made with your card will be displayed in the Wallet app, allowing you to keep track of your spending.
This is how you can setup Apple Pay on all compatible iPhones. So, setting up and using Apple Pay on your iPhone is a straightforward and intuitive process. Not only does it make transactions quicker and easier, but it also enhances the security of your payments by not sharing your actual card details with the merchant.