Apple Pay is a convenient way to make payments without fumbling through your wallet or purse. You can use it at stores that are accepting Apple Pay and on websites that support the service.
However, not all merchants take Apple Pay yet, so it’s best to check ahead of time to see if the place you’re going supports it. You can also use it to make purchases in apps and send and receive money with friends and family through the Messages app.
Let’s learn more about the service and where you can use it.
What Stores Accept Apple Pay?
You can use it to pay at any store that displays the Apple Pay or contactless payment symbols.
This includes physical stores such as Target, Best Buy, and online stores such as Amazon and Nike.
However, not every merchant accepts it yet. When in doubt, it’s always best to check with the merchant ahead of time to see if they support Apple Pay.
How to Pay Using Apple Pay Online or Within Apps?
In addition to using Apple Pay at physical stores, you can also use it to make purchases online or within apps using your iPhone or even your Apple watch.
Using this type of payment online is similar to paying with debit cards—simply select it as your payment method and confirm the purchase with Face ID or Touch ID.
When making a purchase within an app, you’ll also have the option to use Apple pay. To do so, select the Apple Pay option at checkout and confirm the purchase with Face ID or Touch ID.
Through the Messages app, you can also use Apple Pay to send and receive money with friends and family. Open up a conversation, tap on the “>” button, and select the “Apple Pay” option.
Then enter the amount you want to send or request. The recipient will then have the option to accept or decline the payment.
Does Apple Pay Work at Grocery Stores?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay at any food shop that accepts contactless payments. This includes popular stores such as Safeway, Kroger, and Whole Foods.
What are the limitations?
Even though Apple Pay is a convenient way to streamline your payments, there are still some limitations you should know.
For example, spending limits for purchases made without your PIN vary from country to country. Check out this list to see what the limit is for your nation.
Reasons Why is Apple Pay Not Working
For starters, Apple Pay only works with specific devices. To use it, you must have an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 8.1 or higher, an iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 3 or later with iOS 8.1 or higher, or an Apple Watch with watchOS 2.0 or higher.
Still not sure if your device is going to work? Click here for the full list from Apple support.
If you’re using an iPhone, you must also have a default card associated with your account to make payments. You can do this by adding a card to the Wallet app on your iPhone.
Another limitation of Apple Pay is you can only use it at merchants that accept contactless payments. You won’t be able to use it at every store or website.
Finally, keep in mind that it’s a digital wallet, which means you’ll still need to carry your physical credit and debit cards with you if you come across a merchant that doesn’t take Apple Pay.
How to Set Up Apple Pay?
Now let’s go over how you can set it up on your device.
Fortunately, setting up Apple Pay is a relatively simple process. First, make sure that you have compatible Apple devices and that your software is up to date.
Next, open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the “Add Card” option. From there, you can use your iPhone’s camera to scan your credit or debit card and add it to your account.
You can add a card to your account by manually entering the information. Select the “Add Card” option and fill out the required information.
Once a card is added to your Apple Pay account, you can start using it to make payments.
Hold your iPhone to the contactless payment reader to pay with Apple Pay and confirm the purchase with Face ID or Touch ID.
You can also use Apple Pay within apps by selecting the “Apple Pay” option at checkout and confirming the purchase with Face ID or Touch ID.
And that’s all there is to it. With Apple Pay, you can easily and quickly make in-person and online payments.
Does Apple Pay Work at the ATM?
It depends. If the ATM uses NFC tech, you can usually use Apple Pay to withdraw cash. NFC is what makes powers any kind of “tap and go” service work. So what is it?
Near-field communication, or NFC, is a type of wireless technology that enables communication between physically close devices, typically no more than a few centimeters apart.
NFC technology is used in various applications, including contactless payments, data sharing, and access control. NFC-enabled devices communicate with each other by exchanging radio waves.
When two NFC-enabled devices are close together, they establish a peer-to-peer connection that allows them to exchange data.
One of the benefits of NFC technology is that it does not require a power source, making it perfect for use in portable devices such as smartphones and wearable devices. NFC also has the advantage of being highly secure and difficult to spoof.
Take a look at the ATM before you try to interact with it. You should be good to go if you see the official NFC logo. Unfortunately, only a few major banks are currently offering this service.
FAQ
No, Walmart does not accept Apple Pay in-store or to pay online.
Some gas stations accept Apple Pay as a form of payment, but not all of them. It’s as easy as walking inside and asking the cashier if the gas station has the “tap and go” capability.
Yes! Target now accepts Apple Pay. They use RFID-enabled POS, which means you can use your iPhone or even your Apple Watch to tap into your wallet.
Mcdonald’s also accepts Apple Pay. Your wallet should automatically show up if you’re making an online purchase. You can also use it at the counter and in the drive-thru, which is super convenient.
