Apple has officially brought Tap to Pay on iPhone to Singapore, enabling thousands of merchants — from hawker stalls to nationwide retail chains — to accept contactless payments using only an iPhone and a supporting iOS app. The rollout makes Singapore one of the latest markets to benefit from Apple’s hardware-free payment acceptance technology, which is already available in 50 countries and regions worldwide.
Tap to Pay on iPhone allows businesses to accept payments from contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets without the need for a payment terminal. Merchants simply use an iPhone Xs or later running the latest version of iOS, paired with a partner-enabled iOS app.
At checkout, customers hold their contactless card, iPhone, Apple Watch, or supported digital wallet near the merchant’s iPhone, and the transaction is completed securely using NFC technology — the same system that powers Apple Pay. No dongles, external readers, or additional hardware are required.
A New Era of Seamless Payments for Singapore Merchants
Apple is working with major payment platforms, developers, and networks to support the service locally. Adyen, Fiuu, HitPay, Revolut, Stripe, and Zoho are the first platforms in Singapore to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone starting today. Grab is set to follow with support beginning early next year.
The service will support contactless cards issued by leading payment networks in Singapore, including:
● American Express
● JCB
● Mastercard
● UnionPay
● Visa
With this support, Tap to Pay on iPhone can be deployed across virtually any retail or service environment — from boutique stores and beauty salons to gig workers, food delivery services, and mobile pop-ups.
Built with Privacy and Security at Its Core
Apple emphasises that, like Apple Pay, Tap to Pay on iPhone is designed with strong privacy protections:
● Payments are encrypted and processed using the iPhone’s Secure Element.
● Card numbers and transaction details are never stored on the device or on Apple servers.
● Apple cannot see what a customer buys, nor who is making the purchase.
This security-first approach helps ensure that both merchants and customers maintain full ownership and control over their payment data.
Expanding Apple’s Role in the Future of Commerce
Tap to Pay on iPhone is poised to significantly lower barriers to digital payment acceptance. Without the need for extra terminals or rental fees, even the smallest businesses can begin accepting contactless payments instantly.
