Apple Pay Apple cash offered instead of Apple Pay???

[romanof]

Looking for an explanation for my Apple Pay/Cash confusion.

I use Apple Pay all the time around town, with either watch or iPhone. Works every time. But online with a Mac, often I click on the site's Apple Pay logo and instead of it asking me to verify payment with my phone, it tells me that I do not have enough cash in my Apple account.

Yep, that is a fact. I have never set up or tried to use Apple cash and don't have an Apple credit card.

I assume that it is the web site giving that we don't accept Apple pay, only Apple cash???

Or, something else? Maybe a need of set up on my end??

Anybody?

 

[aihpcfl]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but check in system settings and check your default card. And check in Safari settings under Privacy Advanced settings and make sure you've enabled Safari to look for Apple Pay and Apple Card on websites. Those are the only two settings I can think of right now on the Mac. I would say also check your iPhone and make sure Apple Cash is not set as the default payment method, but from what you say about using Apple Pay from the phone all the time, that doesn't sound like the problem.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I also use Apple Pay with a 3rd party card from watch and Mac (and phone once in a blue moon) but I’ve not encountered this message. I do have Apple Cash “set up” but it’s almost always at $0 so I can’t imagine it’s due to it being enabled. I do use Apple Pay on the Mac fairly frequently, usually several times a month anyway, so unless I just happen to not use those sites that “accept Apple Pay but only for Apple Cash” the behavior certainly doesn’t seem right to me.

You said it happens “often” - so from that I’m inferring that “sometimes” it works as expected - yes?

Is there a particular website where it seems to ALWAYS happen?

 

[romanof]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but check in system settings and check your default card.

Nut at keyboard problem. I am so used to everything flowing between iphone, ipad and Mac that it didn't occur to me that credit cards don't automatically install themselves on my other devices. (Probably a good thing).

I would make sure that my card was active and good by using MY IPHONE, then would sit down at the Mac and have the problem of not finding a card. The usual benefit of "It just works" sometimes can lead to atrophy of the diagnostic abilities.

*********

Now if someone can just explain why, after setting up a passkey with a website, some interactions within the site will still ask for a password? I have had a couple of non-techies turn against passkeys for that reason. "But I installed this passkey thingie and now they want a password??? I erased it like I was told to do..."

Kidding. I don't think there is a valid explanation anywhere.

 

[aihpcfl]

@romanof I don't remember having to configure the card on my Mac after doing it on iPhone. It just worked. Two thoughts on that point. I do use Apple Card and that is my default. I don't have another card setup in Wallet. Perhaps having Apple Card as default and no other card had something to do with my good luck. The other thought is perhaps the default on the iPhone did transfer to the computer but then was changed on the computer after that. No idea on how that could have happened.

On your other question, knowing which action requires password might help answer the question, but my guess is those are actions that natively or by requirement need the password. Passkey gets you into the site, but some actions once there require device password. I'm thinking of it as the difference between the website login versus doing something with your Apple account or payment that requires those other credentials. However, if it is an action controlled and within the sole responsibility of the website (like updating you account or profile information), then I would expect the site credentials to suffice.

 

[romanof]

On your other question, knowing which action requires password might help answer the question, but my guess is those are actions that natively or by requirement need the password. Passkey gets you into the site, but some actions once there require device password. I'm thinking of it as the difference between the website login versus doing something with your Apple account or payment that requires those other credentials. However, if it is an action controlled and within the sole responsibility of the website (like updating you account or profile information), then I would expect the site credentials to suffice.

Ah, but that is not what is being advertised by the folks pushing passkeys. Passwords are useless now, get rid of them as soon as you can and get the magic passkeys, never to have to worry about login problems or password theft again.

Great idea and I anxiously await everyone moving to them. But, for myself, so far I have had multiple instances of logging in with a passkey, then having to dredge through my keychain for the sudden need for a password while still within the same site. Amazon for one. Ebay and others that I don't remember. Not a big deal for me but a source of friction for the un-security-wise users that would really gain some safety if the passkey system totally worked.