Payments with Apple Pay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Streamlined Payments

Discover how Apple Pay can simplify transactions, improve customer experiences, and optimize your payment processes with industry insights and best practices.

Young woman making payments with Apple Pay

Do you prefer to use payment methods that are fast, secure, and convenient? One payment method that has gained significant traction is Apple Pay. This service transforms the payment process for both businesses and customers, offering efficiency and security.

For business owners, using Apple Pay could mean more satisfied customers and faster transactions. This guide dives into how Apple Pay works, its benefits, and practical ways businesses can integrate Apple Pay into their payment processes. You will discover:

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Simplify Payments with Secure and Integrated Automation

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What Is Apple Pay and Why Does It Matter?

Apple Pay is a mobile payment processor by Apple that allows users to make payments using their Apple devices. It is available in over 70 countries and is accepted at 85% of U.S. retailers that accept credit cards. In 2023, Apple Pay processed over $6 trillion in transactions globally, surpassing other payment giants like PayPal.

The appeal of Apple Pay lies in its simplicity and security. Customers can pay with just a tap or scan, avoiding the need to carry physical cards. On the business side, this means faster checkout times and fewer abandoned carts.

How Does Apple Pay Work? Using Payments with Apple Pay

Payments with Apple Pay use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to process transactions. Here’s how it works:

  • Customer Setup: Customers add their credit or debit card to their Apple Wallet. Apple Pay tokenizes this information, replacing sensitive data with encrypted tokens.
  • Using Payments with Apple Pay At Checkout: The customer places their device near an NFC-enabled terminal and authenticates the payment using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode.
  • Transaction Process: Apple Pay sends the tokenized card details to the payment processor, ensuring no sensitive data is exposed.
  • Payment with Apple Pay Completion: Once verified, the funds transfer occurs as with any standard card transaction.

This process happens within seconds, ensuring a smooth experience for all parties.

The Benefits of Accepting Payments with Apple Pay

First of all, NFC payments come with enhanced security by default. Apple Pay uses multiple layers of security, including tokenization, biometrics, and device-specific transaction codes. Businesses accepting Apple Pay are less vulnerable to fraud, saving on chargeback fees and protecting their reputation.

Studies show that NFC-based payments like Apple Pay are 63% faster than traditional chip-and-pin card payments. For busy retail environments, this speed can reduce long queues and enhance customer satisfaction.

With millions of iPhone users worldwide, Apple Pay provides businesses with access to a vast customer base. It supports multiple currencies, making it ideal for businesses catering to international customers.

No wonder customers trust Apple Pay for its privacy-focused approach to payment processing. A PYMNTS study revealed that 75% of Apple Pay users feel confident their data is secure when making payments.

Real-World Examples of Businesses Using Apple Pay

Retail Giant Boosts In-Store Sales

A major U.S. retail chain integrated Apple Pay into its payment terminals. Within six months, in-store transactions increased by 15% due to faster checkouts and fewer card declines.

Small Business Goes Global Using Payments with Apple Pay

A boutique in Europe began accepting payments with Apple Pay online. By offering this option, it attracted international customers who preferred the secure payment method, leading to a 20% rise in online sales.

Restaurants Improve Table Turnover Thanks to Payments with Apple Pay

A fast-food franchise adopted Apple Pay for drive-thru payments. The result? Drive-thru wait times are reduced by 30 seconds per order, enabling more transactions during peak hours.

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How to Accept Payments with Apple Pay

Step 1: Upgrade Your Payment Terminals

Ensure your point-of-sale (POS) terminals are NFC-enabled. Popular providers like Square, Clover, and Toast support Apple Pay out of the box.

Step 2: Enable Apple Pay for Online Payments

For eCommerce, integrate Apple Pay into your website or app. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Stripe offer built-in Apple Pay compatibility.

Step 3: Promote Apple Pay Availability

Let customers know you accept Apple Pay. Display the Apple Pay logo on your storefront, website, or marketing materials to encourage its use.

Step 4: Train Staff

Ensure your employees understand how to process Apple Pay transactions. Familiarity with the system will help resolve any customer questions quickly.

Costs of Using Payments with Apple Pay

Apple Pay itself does not charge merchants for transactions. However, standard credit card processing fees apply. These typically range from 1.5% to 3%, depending on the payment processor and type of card used.

Despite these fees, the benefits—faster transactions, increased sales, and fewer fraud-related costs—often outweigh the costs.

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Common Challenges and Solutions to Payments with Apple Pay

Initial Payments with Apple Pay Setup Costs

NFC-enabled terminals can be an upfront expense for small businesses. To mitigate this, look for providers offering affordable hardware packages or financing options.

Customer Awareness

Some customers may not be aware of Apple Pay or how to use it. Address this by providing brief instructions at checkout or through social media campaigns.

Payments with Apple Pay Integration Complexity

For online stores, integrating Apple Pay might seem complex. However, partnering with a tech-savvy payment processor can simplify the process significantly.

Apple Pay vs. Other Payment Processors

Apple Pay vs. ArtsylPay

For businesses seeking rebates and lower transaction fees, ArtsylPay may be a better fit. While Apple Pay streamlines customer payments, ArtsylPay offers additional cost-saving features, such as rebates for accounts payable and vendor payments.

Apple Pay vs. PayPal

While PayPal is widely used for online payments, Apple Pay excels in physical retail environments. Apple Pay’s speed and security make it a better option for in-person transactions, whereas PayPal is often the go-to for freelancers and online service providers.

Apple Pay vs. Traditional Credit Cards

Unlike swiping or inserting cards, Apple Pay eliminates the need to physically handle cards. This touchless experience is not only faster but also more hygienic, a significant advantage in a post-pandemic world.

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Why Integrating Invoicing and Payment Processing is Essential (And Why ArtsylPay Excels Where Apple Pay Falls Short)

Integrating your invoice payments with payment processing isn’t just about convenience—it’s a strategic move to improve cash flow, reduce costs, and build stronger supplier relationships. Here’s why it matters and why ArtsylPay is a superior choice compared to solutions like Apple Pay.

The Advantages of Integration

Streamlined workflows

With invoice payments and payment processing on a single platform, businesses eliminate the inefficiencies and risks of disjointed systems. This seamless integration ensures invoices flow directly into payment workflows, reducing manual intervention, errors, and delays.

Cost savings

Manual check issuance is expensive, from labor costs to postage. ArtsylPay eliminates these expenses by digitizing the payment process. Additionally, you can earn rebates on transactions, particularly through virtual credit card payments, turning accounts payable into a revenue-generating function.

Improved supplier relationships

Timely payments through methods suppliers prefer—such as ACH, virtual cards, or digital checks—enhance trust and collaboration with strategic suppliers. Early payment discounts are also easier to capture, improving cash flow while building goodwill.

READ NEXT: What Is Payment Processing in Order Processing Workflows?

Why Apple Pay Falls Short

While Apple Pay is a great consumer-facing tool for digital payments, it doesn’t meet the needs of business-to-business (B2B) payment automation. Apple Pay lacks:

Why Apple Pay Falls Short
  • Invoice integration: There’s no functionality to link invoice processing with payment execution, leaving businesses to manage these steps separately.
  • B2B-specific capabilities: It’s not designed to handle ACH payments, virtual credit cards, or supplier-specific remittance preferences, all of which are critical for B2B transactions.
  • Automation: Apple Pay does not offer end-to-end automation for the accounts payable process, nor does it integrate with ERP systems.

Why ArtsylPay is the Better Solution

ArtsylPay not only eliminates the costs of check issuance but also generates revenue through virtual credit card rebates, allowing businesses to earn while paying.

Supplier-centric approach

ArtsylPay ensures suppliers are onboarded and supported through its relationship managers, ensuring a smooth transition to digital payments. Suppliers benefit from timely, error-free payments using their preferred methods.

Integration and support

With straightforward file uploads, web service APIs, and full support from onboarding to process management, ArtsylPay simplifies even complex payment workflows. Unlike Apple Pay, it’s designed to handle the unique requirements of business payments while integrating seamlessly with your ERP or accounting systems.

Boosting your bottom line

Integrating your invoice payments and processing with ArtsylPay allows you to cut costs, generate additional revenue, and improve supplier satisfaction—all while simplifying your internal processes. With a comprehensive AP automation platform that handles everything from invoice capture to payment execution, ArtsylPay sets your business up for success.

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Understanding Payments with Apple Pay: Key Things to Know

What Is Payment Tokenization in Apple Pay?

Tokenization is a security feature that replaces sensitive payment information, such as card numbers, with a unique identifier or “token” during transactions. Apple Pay uses tokenization to ensure that your actual card details are never shared with merchants or stored on Apple servers.

Tokenization method minimizes the risk of fraud and data breaches, as the token is useless outside the context of a specific transaction. It’s one of the key reasons Apple Pay is considered a secure payment option.

What is the Value of NFC (Near Field Communication)?

NFC technology enables contactless communication between devices over short distances, typically a few centimeters. Apple Pay leverages NFC to allow users to tap their devices at compatible payment terminals to complete transactions.

This seamless interaction makes payments faster and more convenient compared to traditional methods. NFC also ensures a secure connection, adding an extra layer of safety for users.

What Is an Apple Wallet?

Apple Wallet is a digital wallet app where users can store payment methods, tickets, passes, and other digital credentials. Apple Pay is integrated with Apple Wallet, allowing users to manage their payment cards and use them for transactions without needing the physical card.

Apple Wallet app provides a centralized, user-friendly interface for organizing and accessing payment information. Apple Wallet also supports loyalty cards and transit passes, making it versatile for everyday use.

What Are Digital Wallet Payments?

Digital wallet payments refer to transactions conducted using electronic wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. These wallets store payment credentials and enable secure, contactless payments via smartphones, tablets, or wearable devices.

Apple Pay stands out by offering a seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, making it an attractive option for iOS users. Digital wallets are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and enhanced security features like encryption and tokenization.

Why Do Payments with Apple Pay Rely on Face ID and Touch ID?

These biometric authentication methods are used to authorize Apple Pay transactions securely. Face ID scans the user’s face, while Touch ID uses fingerprint recognition to confirm identity and approve payments.

Both identification methods ensure that only the authorized device owner can complete a transaction. This feature adds an extra layer of protection, making Apple Pay more secure than traditional PIN or password-based systems.

Accelerate vendor payments and capture early discounts
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