The first time I used Apple Pay, I was already at the checkout before realizing I had left my wallet behind. Instead of abandoning the purchase, I added my debit card to Apple Wallet and paid with my iPhone.
To use Apple Pay, you add an eligible debit, credit, or prepaid card to Apple Wallet, then pay in stores, apps, or supported websites by confirming the payment on your Apple device. The process took only a few minutes and I will show you in detailed.
Apple Pay lets you make payments in stores, apps, and supported websites using a saved card in Apple Wallet. Depending on your device, you can confirm payments with Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID, or a passcode.
For Apple device users who want a faster, more secure way to check out without carrying a physical wallet, it is a practical option for both in-store and online payments.
In this blog post, I will show you what Apple Pay is, how it works, and how to set up and use it on iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and other compatible Apple devices.
Apple Pay is Apple’s payment service for making purchases with supported cards added to Apple Wallet. In a store, an iPhone or Apple Watch communicates with the contactless payment terminal using NFC.
Online or inside supported apps, you choose Apple Pay at checkout and authorize the transaction on a compatible device.
Apple Pay and Apple Wallet are related, but they are not exactly the same thing:
| Apple Pay | Apple Wallet |
|---|---|
| Payment technology/service | App that stores eligible digital items |
| Used to make purchases | Holds supported credit/debit cards, passes, tickets, keys, IDs and more |
| Works with eligible cards in Wallet | Provides access to the cards used by Apple Pay |
| Available only in supported markets | Wallet itself has uses beyond Apple Pay |
You can use Apple Pay at participating stores, restaurants, gas stations, taxis, and other locations where compatible contactless payments are accepted. Apple Pay is accepted at over 85 percent of U.S. retailers, and apple pay works smoothly for contactless checkout, though acceptance still depends on the merchant and the card network/payment card you are using.
To use a different card, tap the default card when it appears and select another one before confirming the payment.
Cards must be added to your Apple Watch separately through My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay in the Watch app on your iPhone.
When a supported app or website offers Apple Pay, checkout is usually faster than manually entering your card number, billing address, and other payment details, and on supported websites and in apps, including purchases in Safari, you can pay without filling out lengthy forms.
The current confirmation methods are:
| Device | Apple Pay Confirmation |
|---|---|
| iPhone/iPad with Face ID | Double-click side button, then Face ID or passcode |
| iPhone/iPad without Face ID | Touch ID or passcode |
| Apple Watch | Double-click side button |
| Mac with Touch ID | Place your finger on Touch ID |
| Compatible Mac without Touch ID | Confirm on connected iPhone or Apple Watch |
| Apple Vision Pro | Optic ID or passcode |
On the major Apple devices, I have mentioned a step-by-step way to use apple pay. This covers the following devices:
Compatible iPads with Face ID or Touch ID can use Apple Pay within supported apps and on the web, rather than for the standard iPhone-style tap at an in-store terminal. To set up Apple Pay on a compatible iPad, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card, then confirm purchases with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode as instructed.
On a supported Mac, go to System Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay, add and verify an eligible card, including an apple card where available, then select Apple Pay at a supported online checkout. When prompted, use Touch ID to authorize the payment. Macs with Apple silicon can also support Apple Pay with an appropriately paired Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.
A compatible Mac without built-in Touch ID can use an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone or Apple Watch to confirm eligible purchases. On the iPhone, turn on Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Allow Payments on Mac. For Apple’s standard confirmation flow, the devices should be signed in to the same Apple Account and the authorizing iPhone/Watch should be Bluetooth-connected when required.
On Apple Vision Pro, go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card and follow the verification process. Apple Pay can then be used in supported apps and websites; payment confirmation uses Optic ID or the device passcode. Recent transactions and the default card can also be managed from Wallet & Apple Pay settings. Apple Pay and related names are services of Apple Inc.
To set up Apple Pay for the first time, add an eligible debit or credit card to the Wallet app, complete your issuer’s verification, then use your iPhone or Apple Watch at a compatible contactless terminal or select Apple Pay at a supported online/app checkout.
For an Apple Pay card already provisioned to Apple Watch, an ordinary in-store purchase is initiated by double-clicking the Watch’s side button, selecting the desired card if necessary, and holding the Watch near the contactless reader. You do not need to take out the paired iPhone or reach for a physical card for that normal payment flow.
On an iPhone, open Wallet, touch and hold your preferred card, then drag it in front of the other cards. You can also change the default card through Wallet & Apple Pay settings on an Apple Watch, iPad, Vision Pro, or Mac. The change applies only to that device.
Open Wallet on your iPhone, select the payment card, and review the recent transactions displayed. You can tap a transaction for more information. Since the available history varies by card issuer, check your bank statement for a complete and accurate record.
Apple Pay is a secure and convenient payment option that is gaining traction in Nigeria. While not yet as widely used as some other methods, it offers significant advantages for both local and cross-border transactions, especially with support from fintech platforms like Flutterwave and Paystack.
Setting up Apple Pay is simple, and once done, you can use it for online and in-store payments or receive money through Apple Cash. With its ease of use, fast transactions, and strong security features, Apple Pay is a valuable tool for anyone looking to simplify their payment experience in Nigeria. Follow our simple guide to set it up.
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