Apple Pay turns your iPhone into a contactless payment card

Apple Pay lets you pay for things by holding your iPhone near a contactless reader — the same kind you see at checkout counters in stores, gas pumps, and restaurants. You don't hand over your phone or unlock it. You just hold it close to the reader, and the payment goes through in a second or two. Your actual card number never leaves your phone.

The system works because your iPhone has a chip called an NFC (near-field communication) antenna that talks to the reader wirelessly. When you set up Apple Pay, you add your debit or credit card to the Wallet app on your phone. Apple stores an encrypted version of that card — not the real number — and uses it to complete the transaction.

You can also use Apple Pay online in apps and websites, and to send money to other people through the Messages app. But the contactless in-store payment is what most people use it for.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Pay works by holding your iPhone near a contactless reader at checkout; the payment processes wirelessly without you unlocking your phone or entering a PIN.
  • You add your debit or credit card to the Wallet app, and Apple stores an encrypted version of the card number, not the real one.
  • Most iPhones support Apple Pay, but you need at least an iPhone 6s or later, and your bank or card issuer must support it.
  • You can use Apple Pay in stores, online in apps and websites, and to send money to friends through Messages.
  • If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove your cards from Apple Pay remotely through iCloud.

Which iPhones and cards work with Apple Pay

Apple Pay works on iPhone 6s and newer. If you have an older model, you cannot use it. You can check your iPhone model in Settings > General > About — look for the model name.

Your card has to be supported by your bank or card issuer. Most major banks and credit card companies in the United States support Apple Pay, including Chase, Bank of America, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. If you are not sure whether your card works, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, and try to add it. The app will tell you if your bank supports it.

You can add multiple cards to Apple Pay — debit cards, credit cards, and store loyalty cards. Each one appears as a separate card in your Wallet.

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

Open the Wallet app on your home screen. Tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Choose whether you are adding a credit or debit card. You can either take a photo of your card or enter the details by hand.

If you take a photo, hold your card flat and steady while your iPhone reads the card number and expiration date. If you type it in, you will need the card number, expiration date, and the three-digit security code on the back.

After you enter the card details, your bank will send you a verification code — usually by text message or email. Enter that code into the Wallet app to confirm the card is yours. Once it is verified, the card is ready to use.

Some banks let you add a card instantly without verification. Others take a few minutes. A few may ask you to call a phone number to confirm, but that is rare.

How to pay with Apple Pay in stores

When you are ready to pay, hold your iPhone near the contactless reader. You do not need to unlock your phone or open the Wallet app first. The reader will beep or show a checkmark when the payment goes through.

For purchases under a certain amount — usually $25 to $100, depending on your bank — the payment goes through without any extra step. For larger amounts, you may need to use Face ID or Touch ID to approve the payment. Your phone will prompt you to do this automatically.

If the store does not have a contactless reader, you cannot use Apple Pay at that location. Look for the contactless symbol on the reader or ask the cashier whether they accept it.

Using Apple Pay online and in apps

When you shop on a website or in an app that accepts Apple Pay, look for the Apple Pay button at checkout. Tap it, and your phone will ask you to confirm the payment using Face ID or Touch ID. You do not have to type in your card number or shipping address — Apple Pay fills those in automatically from the information you set up.

This works in most major shopping apps and websites, including Amazon, Target, Uber, and many others. Not every store supports it yet, but the number grows regularly.

Security and what happens if your phone is lost

Apple Pay is more secure than handing over a physical card because your real card number is never shared with the store or the reader. Instead, a unique encrypted code is sent for each transaction. If someone steals your phone, they cannot use Apple Pay without unlocking it with Face ID or Touch ID.

If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can remove your cards from Apple Pay remotely. Go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, and select Find My iPhone. Choose your phone and select it from the list. Tap Find My iPhone, then tap the information icon, and choose Erase This Device. This removes all your cards from Apple Pay on that phone.

You can also call your bank or card issuer directly to report the phone lost and have them cancel the card itself, just as you would if a physical card went missing.

Where Apple Pay does not work yet

Not every store accepts Apple Pay. Older stores and some smaller retailers may only take physical cards or cash. Gas pumps at some stations do not have contactless readers yet, though this is changing. Some states and regions have fewer contactless readers than others.

If a store does not accept Apple Pay, you can still use a physical card or cash. Apple Pay is convenient, but it is not required anywhere — it is always an option, not a requirement.

Internationally, Apple Pay works in many countries, but not all. The countries and regions where it is available change over time. Before traveling, check Apple's website to see whether Apple Pay works where you are going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unlock my iPhone every time I use Apple Pay?

No. For small purchases, the payment goes through without any unlock. For larger amounts, your phone will ask you to use Face ID or Touch ID, but you do not have to open the Wallet app or type anything in. Just look at your phone or press your finger on the home button.

Can I use Apple Pay if my card is not from a major bank?

It depends on your bank. Most major banks and credit card companies support it, but smaller regional banks and credit unions may not. The easiest way to find out is to open the Wallet app and try to add your card. The app will tell you whether your bank supports it.

What if the store's contactless reader does not recognize my phone?

Hold your phone closer to the reader, or try a different spot on the reader. Some readers are more sensitive than others. If it still does not work, ask the cashier whether they accept Apple Pay or whether the reader is working. You can always pay with a physical card instead.

Can someone use Apple Pay if they steal my phone?

Not without unlocking it first. Apple Pay requires Face ID or Touch ID for larger purchases, and even for smaller ones, the phone has to be in your hands and near the reader. A thief would need your face or fingerprint, which they cannot get from a stolen phone.

Does Apple Pay work internationally?

Apple Pay works in many countries, but not everywhere. The list includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others, but it varies by region. Before you travel, check Apple's website to see whether it is available where you are going.