Accept in-person card payments: Tap to Pay on iPhone

Follow these steps to activate Tap to Pay on iPhone and take your first in-person card payment.

Using Android? Accept in-person card payments: Tap to Pay on Android.

For the best experience, keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version. Tap to Pay on iPhone isn't available on iPads.

Not sure you're ready? See Getting started with in-person card payments for the full requirements.

Activate Tap to Pay on iPhone

You only need to do this once. The app guides you through setting it up for the first time.

1. Open Tap to Pay in your banking app.
2. Follow the on-screen setup steps. You'll see the Tap to Pay on iPhone screen, which explains what the feature does and links your business information to your Apple ID. 
3. Select Continue with this Apple ID to proceed (or Use a Different Apple ID if needed).
4. Review the How to use Tap to Pay tutorial. It walks you through entering an amount and charging a customer.

5. Select Next to complete setup.

   

Once setup is complete, you're ready to accept payments.

Accept a payment

1. Enter the payment amount using the keypad. 

2. Select Charge €X.XX (the button shows the exact amount).

   

3. Your iPhone shows the Tap card or phone to pay screen with your merchant name and amount.

   

4. Ask the customer to hold their card flat against the top of your iPhone, over the contactless symbol. For digital wallets, the customer hovers their phone or watch in the same spot.
5. Wait for the Approved screen. You'll see a green checkmark, the word "Approved", and the amount (for example, €50.00).

6. To take another payment, select New charge. To view past payments, select See payments.

    

   

The payment isn't complete until you see the Approved screen with the green checkmark. If you don't see it, the payment didn't go through.

Not all cards support contactless payments. If the customer's card doesn't work, ask them to try another card or a different payment method.

View payment history

You can view your past payments in the Payments section of the app. Each payment shows:

• Amount and payment method (for example, Visa ••••1234)
• Status (for example, Authorized)
• Reference ID

• Date and time

  

When customers need to verify their payment

Some cards need real-time verification. The customer may need to:

• Enter their card PIN.
• Use biometric verification (fingerprint or face ID).
• Approve the payment in their banking app.

What you should do

1. Tell the customer: "Your card is asking you to verify this payment."
2. Wait for them to complete verification on their device.
3. Don't ask them to tap again. Verification happens automatically.
4. Watch for the Approved screen with the green checkmark.

Verification usually takes 5–30 seconds. If it takes longer than 60 seconds, ask the customer to check their banking app.

Need help?

See Troubleshooting: in-person card payments if a payment doesn't complete or you're experiencing issues; otherwise, submit a support request if you have questions.