Apple's digital wallet payment system introduced with the iPhone 6 in 2014. Apple's Passbook app, renamed "Wallet," was enhanced to support credit cards, and users can make payments to merchants by tapping their Apple Watch or iPhone (starting with iPhone 6) on Apple Pay and other contactless terminals in retail outlets. Starting in 2018, Apple Pay was enhanced to send money to friends and family using the Messages app or by asking Siri. The iPhone's home button/fingerprint scanner adds an extra level of security to the transaction.
Near Field Communication (NFC)
Apple Pay uses NFC to transmit wireless between device and terminal, and the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch were the first Apple products to include it. See
Apple Wallet,
NFC,
iPhone 6,
Apple Watch,
smartphone wallet and
mobile payment service.
NFC Payments
Major NFC phone payment systems are increasingly available. In 2018, this Wawa gas station and popular convenience store (I know, I go there every day) added NFC options to its payment terminals.