Apple CEO Tim Cook has called 2015 “the year of Apple Pay," referring to the company’s highly successful mobile payments system, which was developed across several years.
Step 1: Set up Apple Pay on iPhone
Apple Pay works with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and an Apple Watch that’s paired with an iPhone 5 or later series device.
Launch the Passbook app (soon to be called Wallet).
Tap Set up Apple Pay
There are a couple of ways to set up Apple Pay for your card.
Add the credit or debit card you already use for iTunes to Passbook by entering the card security code
Or:
Use your iSight camera to scan your card in order to enter your card information.
Or:
Do it manually. Choose Enter a new Credit or Debit Card
Enter the Name, Card Number, Expiration Date and Security Code from your card. Tap Next.
In some cases, your card will be verified with your bank, which may require you make or receive a call and/or enter a code sent to you via SMS.
Your verified card will appear at the top of Passbook & Apple Pay section of settings.
Step 2: Set up Apple Pay on Apple Watch
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and select Passbook & Apple Pay. Tap ‘Add a Credit or Debit Card."
To add the card you already use with iTunes just enter the security code.
You can also add a card using the iSight camera on your iPhone or type details manually (as above).
Step 3: Using Apple Pay
In theory, Apple Pay works in any store that accepts NFC payments, usually shown by the ‘Contactless’ (tap and pay) symbol on the payment machine. You can already use it internationally if you have an account with a supporting bank.
You can also use Apple Pay to pay with a single touch within apps – just look for the Buy with Apple Pay icon.
To pay with a phone: Just hold your iPhone near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID
To pay with Apple Watch: Double-click the side button and hold the face of your Apple Watch up to the contactless reader. A gentle tap and a beep confirm that your payment information has been sent.
If you have multiple cards, you can browse through all available payment cards in Passbook on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Step 4: Update and remove
If you want to remove a card from Apple Pay to go to Settings>Passbook & Apple pay, tap the card that you want to remove and then select Remove Card.
You can change the address email, or phone number you use for paying within apps Settings > Passbook & Apple Pay to update your information.
Step 5: Is it safe?
Apple likes to say its system is safer than existing chip-and-pin system, and may have a point. Whenever you use a card to pay, your card number and identity are visible. Apple Pay uses a a unique Device Account Number to replace your actual credit and debit card numbers, so your real identity and card number details are not shared. And if you lose your iOS device, you can use Find My iPhone to suspend Apple Pay or wipe your device.
You can also remove your cards from Apple Pay on iCloud.com. Just sign in, click Settings, choose your device, and remove your cards in the Apple Pay section.
UK soon
Apple Pay launches in the UK next week.
Banks supporting the service from day one: American Express, First Direct, HSBC, Nationwide, Natwest, RBS, Santander, Ulster Bank.
“Coming Soon” from: Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and TSB.
At time of writing Barclays, Capital One, Cooperative Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks have not announced a position re: Apple Pay.
Apple Pay now makes up over $2 out of every $3 spent on purchases using contactless payments, Cook claimed earlier this year. With plans to launch in Europe soon, could Apple’s wallet soon replace your bank?
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