After years of anticipation, Apple Pay has officially launched in the Philippines, giving Filipinos a faster, safer, and more convenient way to pay using their Apple devices.
The launch marks Apple's entry into the country's growing digital payments market, following the arrival of Google Pay earlier this year. Ahead of the rollout, Apple Vice President for Apple Pay and Apple Wallet Jennifer Bailey shared how the service aims to make everyday payments more seamless while protecting users' privacy.
How Apple Pay Works
Apple Pay is Apple's digital wallet that lets users make purchases using an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. To get started, users simply add an eligible debit or credit card to the Apple Wallet app.
For in-store purchases, users double-click the side button, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, then hold their device near a contactless payment terminal. Apple Pay also works for online and in-app purchases, allowing users to check out without repeatedly entering card or shipping information.
The service is now available in more than 90 countries and regions and supports over 11,000 banking partners worldwide.
Supported Banks and Devices
Apple Pay launches in the Philippines with four banking partners: UnionBank, GoTyme Bank, Metrobank, and China Bank, with more expected to join in the coming months.
The service is accepted at merchants including Abenson, Beyond the Box, Globe, Jollibee, Power Mac Center, Rustan's, Shake Shack, Smart, WalterMart Supermarket, and on apps and websites such as foodpanda, Jollibee, Rustan's, and Shopee. Maya Business is also enabling Apple Pay for more than 5,000 online merchants nationwide.
Apple Pay supports iPhone 6 or later running iOS 12.5.2 or newer. It also works with compatible Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac devices for contactless and online payments.
Built With Privacy and Security
Apple says every Apple Pay transaction is designed with privacy and security in mind. Instead of storing or sharing a user's actual card number, Apple creates a unique encrypted device account number for each device. Merchants never receive the customer's real card details.
Every payment must also be verified using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, adding another layer of protection against unauthorized transactions. Apple also says it does not track users' purchases or use payment data for advertising.
Users who plan to sell or give away their device are advised to perform a factory reset to remove all personal information, including payment credentials.
