Apple's slow worldwide rollout of Tap to Pay on iPhone has now seen the feature launch in Hong Kong.
Initially launched in the US back in May 2022, Tap to Pay on iPhone means vendors no longer have to buy separate card readers, such as Zettle. For smaller businesses in particular, it makes taking payments convenient because it solely requires them to have an iPhone.
It's even more convenient for customers because they can have an iPhone or Android smartphone. They can also pay with a credit card using contactless payments.
"As more and more consumers are tapping to pay with digital wallets and credit cards," Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said at the feature's unveiling in the States, "Tap to Pay on iPhone will provide businesses with a secure, private, and easy way to accept contactless payments and unlock new checkout experiences using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone."
Businesses require an iPhone 11 or later, with Apple recommending the latest supported version of iOS. The feature has to also be supported by the businesses' payment platforms, and Apple says that in Hong Kong it works with:
- Adyen
- Global Payments
- KPay
- SoePay
Apple says that these are just the first payment platforms in the region, though it does not specify when any more are to come.
While Tap to Pay on iPhone has been steadily rolling out, most recently across Europe, Hong Kong is a significant progression. It's the first of what are called the special administrative regions of China to get the feature.
Taiwan did get Tap to Pay on iPhone back in 2023. However, Taiwan's status as either an independent country or a part of China is deeply contested.
