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Apple Pay Shown to Work Internationally Using U.S.-Based Credit Cards

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple Pay launched on Monday with iOS 8.1, allowing iPhone 6 and 6 Plus owners to make contactless payments via NFC with Touch ID for authentication.

Though the initial launch is occurring in the United States where Apple has focused its efforts on getting credit card companies, banks, and retailers on board, international iPhone owners can also take advantage of Apple Pay if they have a supported U.S.-based credit card, as documented in Whirlpool forums and pointed out by Australian Beau Giles. Users in the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere have also successfully used Apple Pay.

apple-pay-australia.jpg
To use Apple Pay in countries outside the U.S., Giles notes that iPhone owners need to change the region for their phones from their home countries to the United States. This enables Apple Pay, which will accept participating credit cards issued by U.S. banks.
To show the Apple Pay settings, simply open the Settings app on your iPhone (or iPad mini 3 or iPad Air 2), tap on General, Tap on Language & Region, and tap on 'Region'. Change it to the United States.

Now you should be able to visit Passbook and see the option to set up Apple Pay.
Click to expand...
Once an iPhone is configured with the appropriate U.S. credentials, international owners can use Apple Pay at point-of-sale terminals that support NFC payments. Australians, for example, can use Apple Pay at locations that accept MasterCard PayPass, Visa payWave, or American Express ExpressPay payments.

As Giles points out, the situation is not ideal for natives of countries outside of the U.S., as using a U.S. credit card for these purchases will incur currency conversion fees that can increase costs significantly. But for U.S. users traveling abroad or for international users who have U.S. credit cards and simply want to try out the service, Apple Pay does indeed function internationally.

Though Apple Pay is officially supported in the U.S. for the time being, the mobile payment solution is designed to work with existing payment terminals around the world. Once banks begin to work with Apple and offer support for Apple Pay, the expansion of the program into international countries should be relatively easy.

Update 7:49 AM: TechSmartt has posted a video walkthrough of Apple Pay setup and usage at a vending machine in Canada.


Article Link: Apple Pay Shown to Work Internationally Using U.S.-Based Credit Cards
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/21/apple-pay-australia/
Sheza

Sheza

macrumors 68020
Aug 14, 2010
2,083
1,802
Very good news for the UK where NFC pay terminals are all over. The sooner the better, get to it Apple and Visa!
 
HiVolt

HiVolt

macrumors 68000
Sep 29, 2008
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Limiting this to US cards first is a terrible move by Apple. I understand that perhaps they need to make arrangements with banks for debit card support, but credit cards like VISA, MC, AMEX should be able to be used in any country.

I have a VISA issued in Canada, last time I checked VISA is an American company.

But sadly the reality is that Apple probably wants to profit from each transaction, hence the need for deals in each country.
 
L

Lancetx

macrumors 68000
Aug 11, 2003
1,991
619
This is great news for those that live in the U.S. and travel internationally. The mag stripe only cards currently issued by U.S. banks tend to get cloned when frequently used (swiped) internationally and this should cut down on some of that.
 
jayducharme

jayducharme

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2006
4,529
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The thick of it
Apple Pay was the feature I've been most looking forward to with the new iPhone. I make lots of day-to-day debit transactions and thought this would be way more convenient. But alas, the bank that issues my card isn't one of the banks onboard yet. So that was a bit of a disappointment.

That said, my credit card was simple to set up and I'll give it a limited try. But I wouldn't use that card very often. It's nice to know that if I travel internationally, I have a secure way to pay.
 
H

heov

macrumors 6502
Aug 16, 2002
301
802
Am I the only one that doesn't get this whole Apple Pay thing?

How is this different than existing NFC solutions that have been around for years?

It seems like we see articles for retailers supporting "Apple Pay", but then Apple Pay works with any NFC terminal?! Why do retailers need to support Apple Pay specifically instead of just using stabdard NFC? Is it possible for a retailer to support Apple Pay, but not other NFC solutions (such as Google Wallet)?

I understand Apple Pay introduces some security improvements over standard NFC, but it also seems like Apple Pay works with standard NFC terminals, and standard NFC devices will work where Apple Pay does...
 
Popeye206

Popeye206

macrumors 68040
Sep 6, 2007
3,148
836
NE PA USA
HiVolt said:
Limiting this to US cards first is a terrible move by Apple. I understand that perhaps they need to make arrangements with banks for debit card support, but credit cards like VISA, MC, AMEX should be able to be used in any country.

I have a VISA issued in Canada, last time I checked VISA is an American company.

But sadly the reality is that Apple probably wants to profit from each transaction, hence the need for deals in each country.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure there are many different regulations in different countries that need to be followed before they can just roll-out Apple pay… I don't think the companies (Apple, Visa, MC, etc…) want to stall the roll-out, but they may have regulatory issues to solve first.
 
T

Thunderhawks

Suspended
Feb 17, 2009
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2,118
Once it's everywhere the criminal minds have to figure out a way to crack the codes or come up with another field to work on.
 
Popeye206

Popeye206

macrumors 68040
Sep 6, 2007
3,148
836
NE PA USA
heov said:
Am I the only one that doesn't get this whole Apple Pay thing?

How is this different than existing NFC solutions that have been around for years?

It seems like we see articles for retailers supporting "Apple Pay", but then Apple Pay works with any NFC terminal?! Why do retailers need to support Apple Pay specifically instead of just using stabdard NFC? Is it possible for a retailer to support Apple Pay, but not other NFC solutions (such as Google Wallet)?

I understand Apple Pay introduces some security improvements over standard NFC, but it also seems like Apple Pay works with standard NFC terminals, and standard NFC devices will work where Apple Pay does...
Click to expand...

From what I understand, the difference with Apple is the extra security. Your actual card data is never given to the retailer so if they are hacked, they get nothing of use. Whereas I think with other NFC payments, it like swiping your card… so the hackers get it all.
 
H

H2SO4

macrumors 603
Nov 4, 2008
5,651
6,937
After changing the region settings...

…and registering my card. Do I then change back and have the card still registered?
 
bbeagle

bbeagle

macrumors 68040
Oct 19, 2010
3,541
2,981
Buffalo, NY
heov said:
Am I the only one that doesn't get this whole Apple Pay thing?

How is this different than existing NFC solutions that have been around for years?

It seems like we see articles for retailers supporting "Apple Pay", but then Apple Pay works with any NFC terminal?! Why do retailers need to support Apple Pay specifically instead of just using stabdard NFC? Is it possible for a retailer to support Apple Pay, but not other NFC solutions (such as Google Wallet)?

I understand Apple Pay introduces some security improvements over standard NFC, but it also seems like Apple Pay works with standard NFC terminals, and standard NFC devices will work where Apple Pay does...
Click to expand...

It's new and exciting because MORE people now have access to this than ever before.

Sure, Android had NFC payments before, but it was only available to a small percentage of users on Kit Kat, with the proper phone, and it was more technical to use. It wasn't very hard, it just wasn't super easy.

Apple has made it very easy, and opened this to the masses. This is one of those things that Android geeks don't get. Android just shoves something out there and hopes people figure it out. Apple works with partners, gets out the word, puts out videos, makes it's word actually HEARD, and makes the processes simpler, and more secure, that things actually get adopted.
 
H

heov

macrumors 6502
Aug 16, 2002
301
802
Popeye206 said:
From what I understand, the difference with Apple is the extra security. Your actual card data is never given to the retailer so if they are hacked, they get nothing of use. Whereas I think with other NFC payments, it like swiping your card… so the hackers get it all.
Click to expand...

So when people say they "support" Apple Pay, they mean the extra security features? Otherwise, I can already use it anywhere that NFC is accepted?

So every NFC terminal works with Apple Pay already, and all these news articles is just about retailers supporting extra security features? I mean I like extra security as much as the next guy, but my CC already protects me anyway...
 
J

Jibbajabba

macrumors 65816
Aug 13, 2011
1,024
5
HiVolt said:
Limiting this to US cards first is a terrible move by Apple. I understand that perhaps they need to make arrangements with banks for debit card support, but credit cards like VISA, MC, AMEX should be able to be used in any country.

I have a VISA issued in Canada, last time I checked VISA is an American company.

But sadly the reality is that Apple probably wants to profit from each transaction, hence the need for deals in each country.
Click to expand...

Each CC company charges for transactions (something like 5%) so I am not sure Apple can make profit really. Which retailer would accept additional charges just because Apple wants a slice of the pie ? Obviously no idea how it works in the background but I can imagine it is not that straight forward.

heov said:
Am I the only one that doesn't get this whole Apple Pay thing?
Click to expand...

Nope *scratches head *

heov said:
How is this different than existing NFC solutions that have been around for years?
Click to expand...

Good question.

heov said:
It seems like we see articles for retailers supporting "Apple Pay", but then Apple Pay works with any NFC terminal?! Why do retailers need to support Apple Pay specifically instead of just using stabdard NFC? Is it possible for a retailer to support Apple Pay, but not other NFC solutions (such as Google Wallet)?

I understand Apple Pay introduces some security improvements over standard NFC, but it also seems like Apple Pay works with standard NFC terminals, and standard NFC devices will work where Apple Pay does...
Click to expand...

When using NFC you still need an App supporting NFC - so I can imagine what Apple Pay is trying to do is having one app for all and the banks just "hook into" it ... Not sure why retailer need to support it because as you say - they just use NFC terminals so it shouldn't matter what happens on the phone itself. Which app is kicking off the payment etc.

But yea - no idea .. But I won't have to think about it anyway. I am in England and none of the banks I have an account with support payments via phone's NFC chip. Our cards here have an NFC chip built-in but that is about it.

Our bank Natwest here once introduced an iPhone case which had the NFC chip and the banking app "hooked" into it. But after the trial they put NFC chips into the cards itself so I don't think things like Apple Pay will catch on here in Europe / UK any time soon.

Edit: Wonder if the difference is how the card / app is being used. More google shows that it seems the card details are maybe on the device so the retailer wouldn't get the details itself, so they couldn't be fished .. Ah well .. like I say - won't work in the UK anyway.
 
street.cory

street.cory

macrumors 6502
Oct 13, 2009
379
168
Popeye206 said:
From what I understand, the difference with Apple is the extra security. Your actual card data is never given to the retailer so if they are hacked, they get nothing of use. Whereas I think with other NFC payments, it like swiping your card… so the hackers get it all.
Click to expand...

Google uses “Host Card Emulation”(HCE) in place of a physical Secure Element. In other words, Google’s servers store your card number and are involved with every transaction you make.
When one makes a payment with Google Wallet, the app interacts with the card reader over NFC and then sends the details of the transaction to Google’s server. In a fraction of a second, a temporary card number is generated for the purchase and sent to the stores payment processor. The actual card number never passes through the merchant’s point-of-sale system.

Apple does not collect data on every purchase you make - Google does.
 
H

heov

macrumors 6502
Aug 16, 2002
301
802
bbeagle said:
It's new and exciting because MORE people now have access to this than ever before.

Sure, Android had NFC payments before, but it was only available to a small percentage of users on Kit Kat, with the proper phone, and it was more technical to use. It wasn't very hard, it just wasn't super easy.

Apple has made it very easy, and opened this to the masses. This is one of those things that Android geeks don't get. Android just shoves something out there and hopes people figure it out. Apple works with partners, gets out the word, puts out videos, makes it's word actually HEARD, and makes the processes simpler, and more secure, that things actually get adopted.
Click to expand...

Well I was mostly just curious about support for SPECIFICALLY Apple Pay. They're making it sound like I can only use it at certain places, when in reality I can use it everywhere.

I could care less who had it first. It was easy in Japan for me 4 years ago, its easy on Google Wallet for me, and its easy on the iPhone too. I'm just confused why we keep seeing articles for "supporting" Apple Pay, when in reality it's just supporting the extra security...
 
gnasher729

gnasher729

Suspended
Nov 25, 2005
17,980
5,565
heov said:
So when people say they "support" Apple Pay, they mean the extra security features? Otherwise, I can already use it anywhere that NFC is accepted?

So every NFC terminal works with Apple Pay already, and all these news articles is just about retailers supporting extra security features? I mean I like extra security as much as the next guy, but my CC already protects me anyway...
Click to expand...

Said about a million times...

It has nothing to do with the NFC terminal. The NFC terminal sends information that it receives to a bank, and the bank accepts that information (or it doesn't). Visa in the USA accepts the information from Apple Pay, Visa in the UK doesn't at the moment. Once Visa UK accepts the information, all the UK NFC terminals will automatically accept Apple Pay. They don't even know that Apple Pay is involved in all of this, they just pass information that they receive to the bank, and the bank tells the NFC information if that information is fine or not.

Your credit card doesn't protect you, it's the credit card company refunding you money if fraud happens. Nobody protects the credit card company. Apple Pay makes it harder to defraud the credit card company. Now you might think that you don't care if the credit card company is defrauded, but in the end, you and all other credit card users are paying for it in fees. Even if you don't see it.
 
lsatterfield

lsatterfield

macrumors member
Sep 19, 2014
70
17
heov said:
So every NFC terminal works with Apple Pay already, and all these news articles is just about retailers supporting extra security features? I mean I like extra security as much as the next guy, but my CC already protects me anyway...
Click to expand...

What he said. ^

I mean, really, why haven't we known that it'll work with all NFC terminals before? That's really really convenient, and much better than what I originally thought. The extra security is great, but it's not necessary to make a purchase with NFC.

I wonder if Apple will get a percentage of the payments made with regular NFC? If not, they probably don't want this to get out.
 
J

Jimrod

macrumors 65816
Jun 24, 2010
1,199
659
Lancetx said:
This is great news for those that live in the U.S. and travel internationally.
Click to expand...

Yes it is, but sadly, and as usual - Apple couldn't give a **** about their users outside the US. (iTunes Radio still not available in the UK!) This may change if they can cash in but I can't help but feel lately that Apple products are less and less competitive outside their home country - we pay the same (actually a lot more) for less functionality.
 
I

i.mac

macrumors 6502a
Dec 14, 2007
996
247
Thunderhawks said:
Once it's everywhere the criminal minds have to figure out a way to crack the codes or come up with another field to work on.
Click to expand...

That will happen.

However by just cutting the middle man in the restaurant, hotel, and grocery store from your personal information is a significant win win. Many other examples...

In some countries, the complete credit card information is printed. Apple pay will eliminate that altogether.
 
L

lemieuxfan67

macrumors member
Sep 26, 2012
80
23
HiVolt said:
Limiting this to US cards first is a terrible move by Apple. I understand that perhaps they need to make arrangements with banks for debit card support, but credit cards like VISA, MC, AMEX should be able to be used in any country.

I have a VISA issued in Canada, last time I checked VISA is an American company.

But sadly the reality is that Apple probably wants to profit from each transaction, hence the need for deals in each country.
Click to expand...


It's not up to VISA to implement, it is up to the bank that provides the card. Not every VISA in the US works, only ones provided by banks that have implemented the service. Current banks that have enabled include American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo. More are on the horizon and I believe I read that next year an additional 500 banks will be added.

My guess is they are using the US as a proof of concept and will roll out world-wide when they can demonstrate to foreign banks the concepts works.
 
J

Jibbajabba

macrumors 65816
Aug 13, 2011
1,024
5
Sheza said:
Very good news for the UK where NFC pay terminals are all over. The sooner the better, get to it Apple and Visa!
Click to expand...

They are all over the place, but they still only work with the NFC chip in new cards. I am with the Natwest and "back in the day" they trialed a phone case with embedded NFC chip - it still required a special app to work with the NFC "case" - it now stopped working as they stopped using it since they now supply the NFC chip in payment cards.

I somehow don't see banks developing now different apps for different phones etc. Maybe the credit card provider do that - but I would guess the majority here uses Visa Debit issues by the banks for their checking / current accounts.
 
N

nikicampos

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2011
818
330
heov said:
Am I the only one that doesn't get this whole Apple Pay thing?

How is this different than existing NFC solutions that have been around for years?

It seems like we see articles for retailers supporting "Apple Pay", but then Apple Pay works with any NFC terminal?! Why do retailers need to support Apple Pay specifically instead of just using stabdard NFC? Is it possible for a retailer to support Apple Pay, but not other NFC solutions (such as Google Wallet)?

I understand Apple Pay introduces some security improvements over standard NFC, but it also seems like Apple Pay works with standard NFC terminals, and standard NFC devices will work where Apple Pay does...
Click to expand...

Because when Apple does something they usually do a better job than the rest, like you said, NFC payments have been around years for Android and Windows Phone, but once Apple enters this market, everyone starts talking about it.

Apple Pay is more of a marketing thing, it's like the sticker MADE FOR/WORKS WITH iPhone, you can buy any third party product that doesn't have this sticker and the iPhone might work, but if you buy a product with this sticker you know it will work.

When a store advertises Apple Pay, you know it will work, and probably will have and advantage over the one that doesn't use Apple Pay even though they use NFC payments.

Lets say, a person wants to use Apple Pay, has to buy some tools for the house, he knows that Lowe's uses Apple Pay and that Home Depot doesn't (this is just an example, don't know if they use Apple Pay or not), he might drive to Lowe's do to the fact of Apple Pay.
 
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