By alphacardprocess July 30, 2025
If you’re considering accepting Apple Pay at your business, you may be wondering if your existing card reader will work or if you’ll need to get new equipment. As Apple Pay employs NFC (near-field communication) technology to allow customers to pay by tapping their device, you will need an NFC-capable card reader. In this blog, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about Apple Pay payment for merchants.
How Does Apple Pay Work?
Initially, you have to be configured to accept standard credit card payments. Your payment processor needs to support Apple Pay and help you enable it in your account. For face-to-face sales, you’ll need to have a card reader that interacts with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. NFC is what allows the customer’s iPhone or Apple Watch to “connect” to your payment terminal wirelessly when they hold it close.
When someone pays with Apple Pay, your processor handles the transaction just like a normal card payment and then deposits the money into your business account after taking out their usual fees. The special part is how Apple Pay keeps everything secure.
Instead of sending the real credit card number, it creates something called a token — a random code that represents the card details. This token is utilized in making the transaction; hence, the customer’s real banking details remain concealed and secured.
To get started, your customer just adds their card to the Apple Pay app on their iPhone or iPad, and Apple collaborates with the bank to generate these secure tokens. Once set up, payment is as simple as holding the phone or watch near your card reader. For you, that means quicker, more secure, and more modern checkouts with no added hassle.
How to Set up Apple Pay for Your Business
If you’re considering integrating Apple Pay into your business, you may be asking yourself, “Do I have to get a new card reader for Apple Pay? “The short answer: Apple Pay relies on NFC technology, so you will need a payment terminal with the ability to accept contactless payments.
Contact your payment processor to find out if your existing reader is NFC-enabled — many newer terminals already have these features, so it’s good to confirm with your provider. If your terminal isn’t, you’ll have to obtain an NFC-capable terminal, and your processor will be able to assist you in selecting and installing it.
After that, keep the terminal in a place where customers can readily tap their device at checkout. It’s also a good idea to train your employees on how to accept Apple Pay payments, so they’re comfortable assisting customers.
When it’s time to pay, instruct them to place their phone or watch close to the reader until you hear the chime or see the green lights — that’s your indication that the payment has been processed. Setup tends to be swift, and afterwards, your checkout will be streamlined and more modern for all.
Is Apple Pay Free for Merchants?
Apple Pay itself does not ask merchants to pay anything extra, but there are some additional costs to consider. Payment processors such as Square typically charge a standard processing fee, such as approximately 2.6% plus 10 cents per contactless transaction, including Apple Pay. You may also need to purchase NFC-enabled card readers if your existing hardware does not support them.
Apple might charge a certain fee for security purposes; for this, it’s best to check the official website before proceeding. So although there isn’t this special “Apple Pay fee,” it isn’t entirely free due to these standard transaction and hardware expenses.
Is Apple Pay safe?
Yes, Apple Pay is quite safe. When you make a purchase, you must use your fingerprint with Touch ID or your face with Face ID to authenticate the purchase, which keeps it secure. Also, your actual card information isn’t ever transmitted; Apple Pay instead uses a unique encrypted code that’s always changing, so even if the thief were to get possession of your phone, they couldn’t make payments with your information. In general, it’s safer than swiping a real card or using cash.
How do I Teach My Employees to Use Apple Pay?
It’s easy to train your staff to use Apple Pay. Begin by reading through the training sheet from your Apple Pay marketing kit, which provides a step-by-step guide on how to take payments. It also contains advice on helping customers set up Apple Pay on their devices. The more your staff knows how it works, the simpler it will be for them to demonstrate to customers and quickly and simply maintain checkout.
What Is Required to Accept Apple Pay?
To accept Apple Pay at your store, you’ll need a card reader that supports NFC for contactless and chip cards. Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader and confirm with their fingerprint or Face ID. This setup also works well at pop-up shops or outdoor events since the reader is portable.
If you’re selling online or through an app, there’s no hardware needed — just add the “Buy with Apple Pay” button at checkout so customers can pay quickly and securely right from their device.
How Do I Make Customers Aware I Accept Apple Pay?
It’s simple to let your customers know you accept Apple Pay, and it encourages them to use it. Begin by installing the Apple Pay signs included in your free marketing kit — there is one for your window, a few for your checkout area, and a couple for your POS stations. It’s an easy and efficient way to catch your customers’ attention.
You can also post the news on your social media, perhaps with a picture of your new card reader, so even those who haven’t been in for a while are aware that you now accept mobile payments.
Do Most Businesses Accept Apple Pay?
Yes, Apple Pay is accepted by more than 85% of merchants in the US, so it’s a familiar payment method in millions of locations and online. It allows customers to pay with their digital wallets rather than carrying around physical cards.
So they can pay quickly and easily with cards from big banks such as Visa or American Express. Accepting Apple Pay at your business simply means providing your customers with another quick, secure payment method.
Taking Apple Pay makes it easier to satisfy customer demand for smooth, rapid payments. Apple Pay is quicker than chip or swipe cards, moving checkout lines faster and keeping customers satisfied. Apple Pay is also more secure, as it employs tokenization and demands user authentication to prevent fraud.
By providing Apple Pay, companies eliminate friction in checkout, which is significant since most consumers will leave their carts if their preferred payment method is not accepted. This frictionless experience can also enhance conversion rates — some companies have experienced increases of up to 250%.
Using Apple Pay for Business Purchases (as a Business Owner)
If you’re a business owner and want to use Apple Pay for your business purchases, setting it up is pretty simple. Start by adding your business debit or credit cards to Apple Pay on your devices. On an iPad or iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap on the plus symbol, and fill in your card information, such as the card number and expiry date.
You can also choose a default, but add others to switch when necessary. To add an Apple Watch, use the Watch app from your iPhone, navigate to “Wallet & Apple Pay,” and add cards there as well. On a Mac, go to System Preferences, click “Wallet & Apple Pay,” and then complete the process of adding a card. After that, you can shop online or in-store wherever
Apple Pay is accepted—just check for the Apple Pay or contactless logo. To pay, hold your device close to the payment reader and authorize with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. It’s fast, and you don’t have to keep a physical card handy. Also, Apple Pay employs safe features like tokenization to safeguard your card information.
You can even send or receive money with Apple Cash by initiating a conversation in Messages, tapping the plus button, choosing “Apple Cash,” and following the on-screen instructions. It’s an easy, secure way to handle business payments without the inconvenience of cash or cards.
Drawbacks of Utilizing Apple Pay for a Business
Although Apple Pay can be an ideal choice for quicker, more secure and modern payments processing, there are a few disadvantages businesses will want to consider. To begin with, you may have to invest in new hardware and software to accept Apple Pay, which is an additional expense for both implementation and maintenance.
Also, not all customers own an Apple device, so relying solely on Apple Pay could exclude some consumers. Another consideration is that introducing Apple Pay may not always integrate well with your existing payment mechanisms, which could lead to additional effort and costs.
So, while it does make checkout quicker and more modern, it’s important to balance these benefits with the costs and practical challenges before making a final decision.
Apple Pay Alternative
Google Pay
Google Pay is a favourite among Android users, integrating with phones and smartwatches to enable customers to pay in stores, apps, and on the web. It also has a wallet function through which individuals can save bank cards, loyalty cards, gift cards, and tickets. In addition, it keeps loyalty programs straightforward by reminding users to use them and delivering special offers.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay functions similarly to Apple Pay and Google Pay but is exclusive to Samsung phones. It’s secure with fingerprint, PIN, or iris scan verification and charges no fees for the merchant or customer, offering a convenient and budget-friendly experience to Samsung users.
Paypal
PayPal is another excellent choice with more than 400 million active accounts globally. Companies can use it not only for payment but also to send invoices, which helps to simplify bookkeeping. Though sending money is usually free, some transactions, such as currency exchange or some commercial payments, do require fees. Nevertheless, PayPal’s reputable status and additional features make it a solid option for electronic payments.
Each one of these platforms has something special to offer, so the right choice for you will be based on your customers, your devices, and your business needs.
Troubleshooting Common Issues With Using Apple Pay
If a credit or debit card is not appearing in Wallet, have the customer double-check that their card is from a bank that accepts Apple Pay (such as Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover).
Ensure the card is correctly added and activated in the Wallet app. If it still won’t appear, ensure the customer has checked their bank to see if the card has been set up for Apple Pay.
If it gets declined, ask the customer to see if the card has expired or if there are sufficient funds in the account. At times, banks will freeze transactions they think could be fraudulent, so it’s not a bad idea to ask the customer to call their bank to confirm. If necessary, instruct them to use another card stored in Apple Pay.
If Touch ID or Face ID is not functioning, the user can access their phone settings to ensure that their fingerprint or facial information is properly configured. They may also use their device passcode.
A restart of the phone can reset the system, and if this doesn’t work, taking out the card from Apple Pay and re-adding it usually resolves the issue. With these speedy measures, you can often assist customers to get Apple Pay up and running without any trouble.
Conclusion
Accepting Apple Pay does not necessarily involve adding new costly hardware, but you will require an NFC-capable card reader to implement it. By reviewing what you already possess and discussing it with your payment processor, you can quickly determine if you’re ready or if you need to upgrade.
When installed, accepting Apple Pay can enhance checkout, keep transactions secure, and simplify shopping for your customers — all of which can keep your business ahead of the curve.
FAQs
Do I need a new card reader to accept Apple Pay?
Yes — you’ll need an NFC-capable card reader, but a lot of newer readers already possess this feature.
Is there a fee to accept Apple Pay?
Apple doesn’t charge one, but your payment processor might assess normal transaction fees; it’s best to confirm from the official website.
How do my customers know I accept Apple Pay?
Utilize free Apple Pay stickers at your checkout and on your site and social media.
Does Apple Pay support online payments as well?
Yes — you can include a “Buy with Apple Pay” button on your website or app for quick checkout.
Is it difficult to train staff to use Apple Pay?
Not at all — it’s easy to learn, and Apple provides easy guides and stickers as reminders.