How to Set Up and Use Apple Pay
Apple’s payment service called Apple Pay is available for free for iOS users. It is incorporated into the Passbook app, which stores gift cards, loyalty cards and tickets among other things. The online payment method lets you store credit card details on your device and make purchases at more than 220,000 physical retail locations. Numerous iOS apps also support Apple Pay, including Starbucks, Uber, Target and Groupon.
Introduced last October 2014 in the U.S. along with the iOS 8.1 update, Apple Pay is now launching in the U.K. this July. The payment service works with newer iOS devices, such as the Apple Watch, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Mini 3 and iPad Air 2. If you have an Apple Watch and you’re using an older device, like an iPhone 5, iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s, you can still access Apple Pay by pairing your mobile device with the watch.
How Do I Set Up Apple Pay?
Setting up Apple Pay is an easy and quick task. However, keep in mind that not all banks support Apple Pay. If your card provider does not support Apple Pay, you may want to contact the bank to find out if they plan to offer Apple Pay support soon.
That said, prepare your credit or debit card information, and open Passbook on your iOS device. Swipe down and press on the plus icon on the upper-right side of the screen. Next, choose Set Up Apple Pay. If you already previously stored credit or debit card information for iTunes purchases, you can simply select Use Card on File With iTunes to add your payment information on Apple Pay. Type your card’s security code, and press Next to complete the setup process.
Otherwise, choose Use a Different Credit or Debit Card. Type your card information, or snap a picture of your card to enable Apple Pay to enter the required details automatically. Next, type the security code manually. Different banks have varying verification systems in place. If you’re using a Chase card, you may obtain the verification code via phone or email, and enter the code into Apple Pay in order to verify and activate the card.
And that’s it. When you open Passbook, your credit or debit cards will appear at the top of the screen, whereas other cards are shown on the bottom. If you prefer to use your Apple Watch for payments, set up Apple Pay by going to My Watch and then pressing Passbook and Apple Pay. You may opt to mirror the alerts shown on your phone or select Custom to set the alerts on your watch.
How Do I Use Apple Pay?
To pay at a retail store that accepts Apple Pay, simply go to the cash register after choosing your desired items, and wait until the cashier scans the items. Hover your iOS device one to two inches above the pay terminal to open up Apple Pay. Finally, press your thumb or finger on your mobile device’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Some stores may require customers to enter a PIN to complete the transaction.
To make purchases using your Apple Watch, tap twice on the button below the Digital Crown to display your Apple Pay card. Choose your desired card, and hover your watch over the payment terminal until it vibrates or produces a beeping sound.
Apple Pay is undoubtedly a convenient way to make payments, especially if you prefer not to bring a wallet with you when going outdoors. What’s more, you can leave your iPhone at home and still be able to use your Apple Watch for making purchases. If you haven’t tried Apple Pay yet, just follow the steps above and you’ll be good to go.
