Square launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in US

I blinked and missed it, but Square has now officially launched Tap to Pay on iPhone support on your iPhone.

It means merchants across the US can use their Apple device to accept contactless payments and builds on one of the more exciting payments-related announcements Apple made this year.

Square traders tap to pay

Square is offering Tap to Pay on iPhone through the company’s Point of Sale iOS app.

In use, any Square merchant with a compatible iPhone can accept contactless payments by simply opening the Square POS app, ringing up the sale, and presenting their iPhone to the buyer.

The buyer can then use their choice of contactless payment service, (obviously Apple wants that to be Apple Pay, so there you go).

The public launch follows Square’s Early Access Program for Tap to Pay on iPhone, which began in June.

Payment data is protected by the same technology that makes Apple Pay private and secure. All transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element, and as with Apple Pay, Apple doesn’t know what is being purchased or who is buying it.

Who uses Tap to Pay

Square also told us about some of the people who have made the most use of the solution.

• Mobile professionals like contractors and caterers gained the ability to securely take contactless payments onsite at their project location.
• Retailers found new efficiency through line busting and the convenience of helping shoppers complete their purchase wherever they are in store.
• Hairstylists and beauty professionals benefited from the speed and ease of enabling customers to pay for their services right from their chair.

“Deploying Tap to Pay on iPhone has really enhanced the retail experience we’re able to provide our shoppers, in multiple ways,” said Franco Salerno, owner of Warrington, Pennsylvania-based Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo and an Early Access Program participant.

[Also read: How Apple Pay makes money (Merchant Transaction Fees)]

What people expect is changing

“Our young customer base would rather use their digital wallets or contactless cards, and rolling out Tap to Pay on iPhone has helped us meet our shoppers’ preferences with a convenient solution that also brings an air of sophistication to the buying experience. What’s more, given our store’s large footprint, we’ve been able to speed up purchases by bringing the checkout process to wherever our shoppers are.”

On the introduction of Apple Pay, Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet said:

“As more and more consumers are tapping to pay with digital wallets and credit cards, Tap to Pay on iPhone will provide businesses with a secure, private, and easy way to accept contactless payments and unlock new checkout experiences using the power, security, and convenience of iPhone.”

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