What is Apple Pay and how can I use it?

Key takeaways

• Apple Pay is Apple’s payment service for making purchases using a compatible Apple device.

• Card numbers are never stored on the device or shared with retailers.

• Apple Pay does not have a fixed transaction limit, but banks, card providers and retailers may still apply their own limits.

• If you cannot use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet offer similar features on compatible devices.

Tap, pay, done: the ins and outs of Apple Pay

Apple Pay is one of the best-known digital payment services, allowing eligible Apple device users to pay in shops, apps and online without using a physical card.

In 2024, 63%^{^} of people who use digital payment methods said that they used Apple Pay to pay for goods and services.

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is Apple’s payment service, which lets you make secure payments in shops, apps and on websites using a compatible Apple device.

You can add an eligible debit or credit card to Apple Wallet, then use Apple Pay on devices such as an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac or Apple Vision Pro, depending on the type of payment you want to make and whether your card provider supports it.

How does Apple Pay work?

Apple Pay works through the Apple Wallet app, where you can store eligible debit or credit cards.

When you pay in a shop, your Apple device uses NFC technology to communicate with the payment terminal. You then authorise the payment using Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or your passcode, depending on your device.

Your actual card number is not shared with the retailer. Instead, Apple Pay uses a device-specific account number and a single-use security code to help protect your payment details.

How do I set up Apple Pay?

To use Apple Pay, you’ll need a compatible Apple device, an Apple Account, an eligible card from a participating card issuer, and Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or a passcode set up on your device.

To add a card on iPhone:

• Open the Wallet app

• Tap the add card button

• Follow the on-screen instructions to add your debit or credit card

• Verify the card with your bank or card issuer if asked

You can also add cards to Apple Watch through the Watch app on your paired iPhone, or set up Apple Pay on compatible iPad, Mac and Apple Vision Pro devices through Wallet & Apple Pay settings.

How do I use Apple Pay to make payments?

For in-store payments on iPhone, double-click the side button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode, then hold your device near the contactless reader until the payment is confirmed.

On Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the watch near the contactless reader.

For online and in-app purchases, choose Apple Pay at checkout, check the payment and delivery details, then authorise the payment on your device.

What is the contactless limit for Apple Pay?

Apple Pay does not have a fixed transaction limit in the same way physical contactless cards traditionally have.

In the UK, the official £100 contactless card cap was removed in March 2026, but banks, card providers and retailers may still apply their own limits. Because Apple Pay uses device verification, such as Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or your passcode, it can often be used for higher-value contactless payments where the retailer supports them.

If you’re travelling overseas, Apple Pay limits and contactless rules may vary by country, retailer and card provider.

Is Apple Pay safe to use?

Apple Pay is designed to protect your card details. Your actual card number is not stored on your device or shared with retailers. Instead, Apple Pay uses a device-specific account number and a single-use security code for each transaction.

Payments also need to be authorised using Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or your passcode, depending on your device. If your device is lost or stolen, you can use Find My to mark it as lost, lock it or erase it.

Pros and cons of Apple Pay

Pros

• Quick and convenient for in-store, in-app and online payments

• Your actual card number is not shared with the retailer

• Payments are authorised on your device using Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or your passcode

• Higher-value contactless payments may be possible where supported

Cons

• Not every retailer, bank or card provider supports Apple Pay

• You’ll need a compatible Apple device

• You may need a charged device for in-store payments

• The ease of mobile payments can make it harder to keep track of spending

How does Apple Pay compare with other payment options?

Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay all let you make payments using a compatible phone, watch or other supported device.

The right option usually depends on the device you use. Apple Pay is designed for Apple devices. Google Pay is mainly used with compatible Android devices through Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet is designed for compatible Samsung devices.

All three can be used for contactless payments where mobile wallet payments are accepted, as well as for some in-app and online purchases.

Other useful guides

To find out more about debit and credit card payments, read our guides:

• Contactless payments

• Credit card security

• Getting your first credit card

Using contactless payments on your credit card

Nearly all credit cards now support the tap-and-go feature. Look for the contactless symbol on your card to see if it's enabled for these quick transactions.

Comparing credit cards with MoneySuperMarket

When it comes to shopping for credit cards, MoneySuperMarket can help. You can compare credit cards from a variety of UK providers, many of which may be compatible with Apple Pay.

Before you apply for a new credit card, use our Eligibility Checker. It's a smart way to see which cards you might qualify for without impacting your credit score.

MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. We never take a fee from customers for this broking service. Instead, we are usually paid a fee by the lenders – though the size of that payment doesn’t affect how we show products to customers.