Apple Expands Tap to Pay on iPhone to Eight New Countries

Apple has expanded its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature to eight new countries in Latin America, making it easier for merchants to accept contactless payments without a separate card reader. The feature is now available in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru through local payment platforms.

Tap to Pay on iPhone works by allowing merchants to open a compatible app on their iPhone, which they then hold out for the customer to tap their contactless credit or debit card, Apple Watch, or other digital wallet. This eliminates the need for extra terminal hardware.

The feature is available on iPhone XS and later models running the latest iOS, and works with major networks including American Express, Mastercard, and Visa. Apple stresses that payment data is protected and that it doesn't know what was purchased or who bought it.