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Apple today shared a letter celebrating the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Apple Pay, which launched in the U.S. on October 20, 2014, as part of iOS 8.1.

Apple-Pay-10.jpg

Apple Pay has since become available in over 75 countries and regions, and the vast majority of retailers in the U.S. now accept contactless payments, with one notable exception being Walmart. Two other longtime holdouts that are finally rolling out contactless payments in the U.S. include The Home Depot and Texas-based grocery store chain H-E-B.

Apple also announced new Klarna and PayPal integrations for Apple Pay.

Starting today, eligible customers in the U.S. and U.K. have access to financing through "buy now, pay later" service Klarna when checking out with Apple Pay on the web and in apps on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. And starting next year, customers in the U.S. will be able to see their PayPal balance when using their PayPal debit card in the Wallet app on the iPhone.

Here is the full letter from Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet:
When we started our journey with Apple Pay 10 years ago, we saw a unique opportunity to leverage Apple's hardware and software to make a meaningful impact on the financial health and lives of our customers. From the outset, we envisioned a world where you could use your iPhone to seamlessly pay for everything — from groceries to train tickets, in person and online, across the globe — all while keeping your personal and financial information safe and private.

Today, Apple Pay is used by hundreds of millions of consumers in 78 markets, at checkout on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores worldwide, and is supported by more than 11,000 bank and network partners. We hear from customers every day about how much they love the ease, security, and privacy protections Apple Pay provides in their daily lives, and how much they enjoy using it across their devices — including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac.

One of my earliest memories of realizing how Apple Pay was positively impacting consumers' lives was when we rolled out Apple Pay for transit in Tokyo, which is used by millions of travelers every day. I watched in awe as people quickly tapped their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay while passing through the turnstiles — no need to fish out any cash, cards, or coins from their wallets, or even unlock or wake their device. It's a great example of how Apple Pay's seamless and secure customer experience delivers convenience and peace of mind to consumers around the world, whether they're commuting to work, shopping online, or picking up their morning coffee.

We know how important it is for customers to feel secure and trust that their financial transactions are private when making a payment. That's why we're always working to safeguard consumers, while also enabling banks to have industry-low levels of fraud for Apple Pay transactions. And it's also why Apple Pay was designed to protect users' highly sensitive personal and financial information, like their card number, which is never shared with merchants. Our customers trust that when they use Apple Pay anywhere, they can have the peace of mind that their payments are protected.

Looking ahead at what's next for Apple Pay, we are excited to now bring our users more ways to pay, including the option to redeem rewards and access installment loans from Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders right at checkout with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad. This gives consumers greater flexibility in how they pay with the easy and trusted Apple Pay experience they already know and love. It also provides Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders with new ways to connect with their customers, and make their rewards and installment offerings even more accessible.

Beyond payments, we're also advancing our broader vision of replacing users' physical wallets with an easy, secure, and private digital wallet — Apple Wallet. Today, users can seamlessly and securely add and access eligible event tickets, transit cards, keys, government IDs, and more all from Apple Wallet. And we're always looking for new ways to make using Apple Wallet convenient while delivering unparalleled security and peace of mind.

The last decade was an incredible journey, and we're thrilled that so many people around the world are enjoying the experience that Apple Pay and Apple Wallet provide. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years have in store.
Bailey also sat down for an interview with Frank McShan:



Article Link: Apple Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Apple Pay With Open Letter and Interview
 
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Apple Pay has been an incredible success story

I never even carry a physical credit card with me (pretty much everywhere I go)

When I was in New Zealand in March, every single place that I went to took Apple Pay. It was super convenient and the currency exchange on the Apple Card made it super easy to see the actual price in USD (with the real time currency conversion)
 
I remember the first couple times I was able to use Apple Pay at just a few stores, and now nearly every place I pay for things takes it. I barely ever need to carry my wallet into stores anymore. The convenience is awesome!
 
Apple Pay credit cards. Apple Pay transit cards.

These two have totally transformed the world for me.
I seldom pay by physical credit cards anymore, and my daily commute can all be done on my Apple Watch. No authorization is needed after device unlock and as long as the Watch is still on your hand.
It’s one of the most successful Apple product that many people don’t realise.

All retailers that have NFC wireless card readers automatically support Apple Pay. I don’t know how retailers in the U.S. can deny it for so long. Major fail on their part.
 
Game changer for sure, but I still keep my license and a couple physical cards in a MagSafe wallet just in case. But the big thick wallet is at home, I no longer bring that with me.
 
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Tap to Pay is certainly a gamechanger. Recently visited the UK, most places weren't accepting cash, and everyone insisted use Tap to Pay on your card, phone or watch on the sideways wifi symbol on the terminal. My dad misplaced his visa card, and almost lost it at a business. From that moment, I told him, give me your card, let's transfer it on to your watch... no more fumbling in your pockets. Done. A 75 year old found a new skill, and ability to use the toilets in Hyde Park that were tap to use only, then the same routine in the London Underground.
 
I remember the first couple times I was able to use Apple Pay at just a few stores, and now nearly every place I pay for things takes it. I barely ever need to carry my wallet into stores anymore. The convenience is awesome!
I love Apple Pay and the convenience of having a wallet inside my iPhone.

It’s really sad that in the USA retailers had to be dragged kicking and screaming to adopt the technology. Target and HEB are the two recent converts. I purposely avoid shopping at Walmart because they don’t accept Apple Pay
 
I used to look after my Nan for the last 8 years of her life before she passed away. She knew I loved tech. When I learned I could pay at McDonalds for her Happy Meal which was an after shopping treat every two weeks, I knew I had to show her. So as soon as it was launched and I found out that my bank was supported I got it working on whatever iPhone I had at the time. She was amazed I could pay with my wrist.

Then there was a time my wallet was in the boot of the car and I got her a surprise Happy Meal, rather than get out to get it, I used my watch. Such a time saver.

For a while I was reluctant to not take my wallet with me and rely solely on it but I've rarely had issues with it. I've had it not work a couple of times on my watch but the same card works fine on my phone. I've just returned from a three week trip to Spain in our camper van and didn't use cash once. This will be the third year that this has happened. Just Apple Pay everywhere.
 
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I wish everywhere would accept contactless payments. Most places I visit accept it, but there’s still a few that don’t.
 
Love Apple Pay. Even now some places I use it are amazed by it.

I live near a family owned amusement park in Central PA and they, in the past several years, have started taking it. It’s nice to not have to carry or worry about losing a wallet while riding rides. very convenient.
 
The first time I paid for a beer with my Apple Watch the random guy next to me dropped his pint. Then a 10 minute conversation about security, biometrics and safety. I suspect he is still paying with his rolled up fivers.
 
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I wish everywhere would accept contactless payments. Most places I visit accept it, but there’s still a few that don’t.
Because they have to pay a terminal fee to the payment processor and that fee depends on what features they purchase. Some businesses believe that the added cost of enabling contactless payments (or especially upgrading the terminals) just isn’t worth it since it’s unlikely to result in more sales.
 
About the only time I use it is to pay for gas at the pump with my watch. One day I realized I forgot my card at home and I needed gas. No problem. I had my watch.
 
It never failed in 10 years.

It’s the Apple Watch killer app for me.
Never failed except in these instances :p




 
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