How to Use Apple Pay on an iPhone in 6 Steps (with Photos)

Digital payment services have been all the rage throughout the 21st century. From the inception of PayPal to the advent of mobile payment services that came with the popularization of the smartphone, these tools make online and in-person shopping easier than ever by removing the need to physically insert or swipe a card.

Apple Pay is one such digital wallet and mobile payment service. But how do you use Apple Pay on your iPhone?

Let’s walk you through it, step by step with photos to follow along with.

Why Use Apple Pay on an iPhone?

Before finding out how to use Apple Pay on an iPhone, let’s address why a person might want to use Apple Pay on their Apple device in the first place.

This Apple-branded digital payment service can be an incredibly convenient, ultra-compatible, and super secure way to make payments. No matter if you’re looking to streamline your checkout experience, take advantage of the growing number of businesses that accept Apple Pay, or protect your card details, using Apple Pay is definitely something worth considering. Here’s why.

Convenience

Convenience is one of the primary reasons to use Apple Pay on the iPhone. By relying on Apple Pay, there’s no longer a need for you to lug around your physical credit or debit cards in order to make payments. This is true of both in-person and online stores. All you need to check out is your iPhone or other Apple Pay-enabled device. This can be especially useful for individuals who need to run a bunch of errands. No need to dig through your wallet or purse while the checkout line backs up! Just use the phone that’s probably already in your hand.

Compatibility

Apple Pay is already being accepted by a wide range of merchants and payment terminals across the world, making it just as versatile a payment option as a credit or debit card. What’s more, many other retailers, restaurants, and businesses are going to start accepting Apple Pay in the very near future. The number of accepted merchants both online and in-stores is growing by the day. This widespread compatibility makes Apple Pay super appealing.

Security

When you make a payment with Apple Pay, your card details are not stored on your device or even on Apple’s servers. Instead, a unique device account number is created for each one of your transactions. This number is then encrypted and sent securely to the merchant, so no one ever knows your personal card details except for you. This makes it significantly less likely that your information will be compromised by hackers or cyber criminals.

How to Use Apple Pay on Your iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve explained what Apple Pay is and why someone might want to use it on their iPhone, let’s get into the how-to of it all.

Follow along with the guide below, making sure to keep up with the photos at every step of the way to ensure you’re still on track. In the end, you’ll be able to use Apple Pay on your iPhone like a true tech wiz.

Note: This process should look the same on any iPhone starting with the iPhone 6 or later.

Step 1: Adding a Card to Apple Pay

Before you can use Apple Pay in stores or online, you will first need to add a credit or debit card to your Wallet.

To do this, open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign (+) in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

From there, you’ll be asked to follow the on-screen prompts to finish adding your card details. (If you already have a card saved to your Apple ID, you can opt to use that card for Apple Pay.)

Step 2: Verify the Card

Once you’ve added your credit or debit card to your Wallet, you’ll then need to verify it. Apple will send you a verification code via text message, which you’ll need to enter into the Wallet app to complete the verification process as soon as you’ve received it.

(You can repeat this first and second step as many times as you’d like, depending on the number of cards you want to include in your Apple Pay.)

Step 3: Set Your Default Card

Next, you’ll need to set your default card to be used during Apple Pay transactions. If you’ve ever used a digital payment service (such as PayPal or Venmo), this should come as no surprise to you. Most digital wallets require you to set a default if you have you have more than one card in your account.

If you only added one to your Wallet, then you can skip this step. If you have multiple, you need to choose which one you want to use as your default card.

Step 4a: Making a Payment Online

At last, it’s time to make a payment using Apple Pay on iPhone.

When checking out online, select the option that says Pay with Apple Pay. You’re most likely to see this next to the place where you’d otherwise add your card information. Sometimes, it’s also grouped next to Pay with PayPal.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your purchase using Apple Pay on your iPhone.

Step 4b: Making a Payment in Person

When checking out in person, the process looks a little different. First, look for a contactless payment symbol on the payment terminal. (If you don’t see a symbol that looks like a sideways Wi-Fi symbol, then the merchant likely does not accept Apple Pay.)

When you see it, hold your iPhone near the payment terminal to complete the transaction. If you’re having trouble, make sure you’re holding the phone just a few inches from the terminal at most.

Step 5: Authenticate the Transaction

The iPhone will then prompt you to use either Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate the transaction (depending on your iPhone model and your preferences set).

You will complete this authentication process by either placing your finger on the Touch ID sensor or by showing your face to your iPhone’s front-facing camera. (If you have both Touch ID and Face ID disabled, you’ll simply enter a passcode.)

Wait for the payment to be approved. When the payment is successful, you’ll see a checkmark on your screen, and you’ll hear a ding sound from your iPhone.

Here is a step-by-step video for further reference:

What Else You Should Know About Using Apple Pay on an iPhone

After making a payment using Apple Pay, you will be able to view the details of your transaction via the Wallet app. To do this, open the Wallet app and choose the card you used to make the payment. This will pull up a list of all recent Apple Pay transactions made on that card, including the date and time of purchase as well as the amount of the transaction. Check this frequently to make sure everything looks right.

Another thing: if you need to update the details of a card in your Apple Pay wallet, you can do this at any time (also via the Wallet app). First, open the Wallet app and choose the card you want to update. Tap the three dots in the top right-hand corner, then select Edit to make changes to the card details. Make sure to save before you exit, or you’ll have to do this process all over again from the start.

And, finally, you can also manage your Apple Pay settings via your iPhone’s Settings app. This will allow you to further customize your Apple Pay experience. In order to do this, go to the Settings app and select Wallet & Apple Pay. From there, you’ll be able to manage your default card settings, edit and adjust your transaction notifications, and more.

That’s all there is to it! We hope you enjoy your new Apple Pay feature.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com.