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 - Artsyl

Last Updated: December 31, 2025

Do you prefer to use payment methods that are fast, secure, and convenient? Apple Pay payments have become a mainstream option for in-store and online checkout, with customers expecting tap-to-pay speed and strong built-in security.

For business owners, Apple Pay can improve conversion and reduce checkout friction - but payments are only one part of the story. In 2025–2026, the best results come when payments are connected to the invoice processing procedure, so finance teams can reconcile faster and standardize controls.

This guide explains how Apple Pay works, its benefits, and how businesses can integrate it responsibly. You will discover:

Simplify Payments with Secure and Integrated Automation - Artsyl

Simplify Payments with Secure and Integrated Automation

ArtsylPay helps you streamline invoice processing and payment workflows with seamless, secure transactions. Whether you’re enhancing Apple Pay acceptance or automating AP tasks, reduce errors, shorten payment cycles, and optimize your financial operations.
Start your journey to smarter payments today!

What Is Apple Pay and Why Does It Matter?

Apple Pay is a mobile payment processor by Apple that allows customers to pay using supported Apple devices (for example iPhone or Apple Watch). For many businesses, Apple Pay matters because it reduces checkout friction, supports contactless payments, and fits modern customer expectations for speed and convenience.

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.

Apple Pay can also reduce checkout time because customers don’t need to manually enter card details or handle physical cards. For high-volume environments, that speed can improve throughput and the overall customer experience.

Because Apple Pay is widely used across consumer commerce, enabling Apple Pay payments can help you meet customers where they already are - including in-store, in-app, and online checkout.

No wonder customers trust Apple Pay for its privacy-focused approach to payment processing. Tokenization and biometric authentication reduce exposure of sensitive card data during transactions, which supports stronger security outcomes for both consumers and merchants.

Real-World Examples of Businesses Using Apple Pay

Retail Giant Boosts In-Store Sales

A major retailer added Apple Pay at checkout to reduce friction and speed up in-store payments. The biggest impact typically comes from faster lines, smoother customer experience, and fewer “payment abandoned” moments at the register.

Small Business Goes Global Using Payments with Apple Pay

A boutique enabled Apple Pay payments online so international customers could pay quickly without creating new accounts or re-entering card details. Offering familiar payment methods can reduce checkout drop-off and support cross-border sales.

Restaurants Improve Table Turnover Thanks to Payments with Apple Pay

A fast-food franchise adopted Apple Pay for drive-thru payments. The result is typically faster checkout and less friction at peak hours, helping locations serve more customers with the same staff and footprint.

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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. Fees vary by payment processor, card type, and your pricing agreement.

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

Apple Pay payments are great for customer checkout. But when your goal is to automate how to process accounts payable invoices, you need more than a wallet experience - you need business invoice processing software that links the invoice processing procedure to payment execution, approvals, and reconciliation. ArtsylPay is built for AP and vendor payments and can support a structured invoice automation process (including the PO invoice process) while helping teams reduce fees and capture rebates where available.

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

When invoicing and payment processing live in a single workflow, teams eliminate handoffs between disconnected tools. In practice, this means fewer manual steps, clearer ownership, and faster cycles from “approved” to “paid.”

For AP teams, integration also clarifies how to process accounts payable invoices: capture the invoice, apply the invoice verification process (including matching and policy checks), approve, then pay - with a complete audit trail.

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 - Artsyl
  • Invoice integration: There’s no functionality to link invoice processing with payment execution, leaving businesses to manage these steps separately.
  • Invoice verification process: It doesn’t provide controls for validation, approvals, or the PO invoice process that many organizations require to pay suppliers safely.
  • 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 helps you cut costs, improve supplier satisfaction, and simplify internal controls. When invoice capture, approvals, and payment execution follow one invoice automation process, you reduce rework, strengthen governance, and speed reconciliation.

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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.

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