How to Use Apple Pay For First-Time Users

How to Use Apple Pay For First-Time Users | how to pay with apple pay | where can i use apple payApple Pay can be the next best thing for payment transactions. Especially for people who worry about paying with credit and/or debit cards. It is one of the newest payment processors that allows you cardless, and even cashless, shopping or dining. Read on and learn how to use Apple Pay and how it works.

How To Use Apple Pay In A Store, Online, And In App

What Is Apple Pay?

What Is Apple Pay? | How to Use Apple Pay For First-Time Users | how to pay with apple pay | where can i use apple pay

It is both a mobile wallet and a payment service. It allows you to connect any compatible device with your credit and debit cards. In the process, you can now make purchases by using this new technology. However, this new payment method should not be confused with Apple Wallet.

Released in 2014, it is available in some countries such as Canada, United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, UK, China, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, and Italy. It also has a growing list of merchants and bank partners. Many countries can also accept local businesses.

Apple Pay: How Does It Work?

Apple Pay: How Does It Work? | How to Use Apple Pay For First-Time Users | how to pay with apple pay | where can i use apple pay

Apple Pay works similar to mobile wallets. It uses a contactless transactions method, which basically means you don’t need to swipe your credit or debit card anymore. Instead, you place your devices such as your compatible iPhone or Apple watch close to the NFC terminal. NFC, stands for near field communication, lets you send information through radio waves. You can also use it to pay online or via the app.

Unlike other mobile wallets, it uses two authentication systems for safety (although methods can vary in other countries). One, you need to press the Touch ID to confirm your identity. You would also need a pass code. It also uses a “proxy account” so you don’t have to use your PIN. Furthermore, Apple Pay does not store your credit card information on your device so you can shop safely.

However, this doesn’t mean you’re hack-free. There would still be hackers around trying to override the technology, just like any other, using Wi-Fi. Just be extra careful and be more vigilant when using your cards online to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. It is definitely beneficial to check your card transaction history regularly.

Note: In the following sections, we’re going to talk about how to set up and use Apple Pay. Always remember, though, to sign in to your iCloud all the time regardless of the device you wish to use. You also need to set up your passcode and a Touch ID (unless you’re using an Apple Watch). Otherwise, if it’s off, all your credit card details will also disappear.

How To Use Apple Pay With iPhone


Now to your question: “Where can I use Apple Pay?” There are three ways to use Apple Pay: physical, web, and in the app.

A physical platform means you need to have a device with you to interact with the NFC terminal. For this one, you have two choices: an Apple phone or an Apple Watch. Let’s start with the Apple phone.

Not all iPhones can support Apple Pay. It works only on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and the rest of the newer versions. This is because these devices already contain the SE chip, which you need to make a contactless payment with an NFC terminal.

To set it up, you need the Apple Wallet, one of the useful apps you can have. It has broader function since you can store and maintain other things such as your passes, movie tickets, and coupons. This software runs on iPhones with at least an iOS 6 platform.

  1.  Open your Wallet.
  2.  Press Add Credit or Debit Card.
  3.  Enter the needed information. If you’re using a different card for your iTunes, you can input the security code.
  4.  Press Next. Around this time, the bank or the card issuer should be verifying the data you provided. Once all the details are confirmed, press Next, and you’re ready to use Apple Pay in physical stores.

Note: Some banks also allow you to set up Apple Pay right on their app.

When paying, do the following:

  1. Bring your iPhone closer to the NFC terminal. Wait for the card to appear.
  2. Hold the Touch ID for a few seconds. It should then verify your identity as you’ll see a check mark on the screen.
  3. You’re done!

You can store and use other types of cards, and it’s straightforward to switch. Hold press the one you see on the screen to open the selection. Choose the card you wish to use for the transaction.

RELATED: 10 Helpful iPhone Apps for First Time Users

How To Use Apple Pay On Watch


For those with older versions of iPhone, does this mean you cannot use Apple Pay? If you have an iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, and iPhone 5S, you can make purchases using an Apple Watch. Although it markets as a health and fitness tracker, it is also essentially an extension of your Apple device. You need to connect your phone and Apple Watch for the service to work.

To set up, do the following:

  1. Go to your iPhone and tap Watch app.
  2. Select My Watch. Choose only one if you have many.
  3. Press Wallet & Apple Pay.
  4. Enter the needed information. If you’re using a different card for your iTunes, you can input the security code.
  5. Press Next. Around this time, the bank or the card issuer should be verifying the data you provided. Once all the details are confirmed, press Next, and you’re ready to use Apple Pay in physical stores.

Note: You can still use Apple Watch for newer iPhone versions if it’s convenient for you. Either way, you need to keep the Wrist Detect on as well as not sign out of iCloud or remove the pass code if you don’t want to enter your credit and debit card information again.

To use the Apple Watch, here are the steps:

  1. Double-press the lower side button to bring up the Apple Pay and the default credit card. If you want to pay with a different card, swipe right.
  2. Bring your watch closer to the NFC terminal.
  3. That’s it!

How To Use Apple Pay With iPad

Apple Pay also works on some versions of iPad namely iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and iPad Mini 3 and 4. However, you can use these devices when you want to use the service for in-app purchases.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Choose Wallet & Apple Pay.
  3. Enter the needed information. If you’re using a different card for your iTunes, you can input the security code.
  4. Press Next. Around this time, the bank or the card issuer should be verifying the data you provided. Once all the details are confirmed, press Next.

To use it, here are the steps:

  1. Go to the app where you want to make a purchase.
  2. Look for the button that says Buy with Apple Pay.
  3. Press the button and review your details.
  4. Make the payment and wait for the confirmation of the successful transaction.

How To Use Apple Pay With Mac


Setting up Apple pay on your MacBook Pro is an excellent way to shop securely while on the web. You don’t need to store your details on the merchant’s database.  Even if the retailer doesn’t keep your details, it’s still hassle-free since you don’t need to input your credit card information all the time.

Before you can set up the service, you need to activate the Touch ID security first. Here’s the tutorial. Once complete, do the following:

  1. Open System Preferences.
  2. Choose Wallet & Apple Pay.
  3. Press Add Card.
  4. Enter the needed information. If you’re using a different card for your iTunes, you can input the security code.
  5. Press Next. Around this time, the bank or the card issuer should be verifying the data you provided. Once all the details are confirmed, press Next.

To buy something online, here are the steps:

  1. Go to the website where you want to make a purchase.
  2. Look for the button that says Buy with Apple Pay.
  3. Make your purchase. Wait for the Touch Bar prompts to appear.
  4. Place your finger to confirm via Touch ID. If it is not activated, press Apple Pay on Touch Bar.
  5. Wait for the check mark to appear on the screen.

Note: You can still purchase online using your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch through Safari.

 

Do you know that Apple Pay started out with only 220,000 locations back in September 2014 but now has grown to 4 million. Watch the video from The Verge to see how it works:

Apple Pay is certainly one of the most secure, fastest, and convenient way to make purchases and other transactions whether offline or online. So if you have any of the compatible devices, make sure to take advantage of it.

Have you used Apple Pay? Share your experience with the community!

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