When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
Apple’s iOS 18.1 update enables developers to integrate NFC payments in their apps, expanding contactless transactions to US and other countries.
Starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer NFC contactless transactions directly within their apps on iPhone, independent of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
The NFC and SE APIs will initially be available to developers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S., with additional regions to be added later.
What’s New for Apple NFC
This new capability, enabled by the NFC and Secure Element (SE) APIs, will allow developers to integrate contactless payments and transactions for various purposes, including in-store payments, car keys, transit passes, corporate badges, student IDs, and more. Future updates are expected to support government IDs as well.
Apple emphasizes that user security and privacy remain paramount with this new feature. The NFC and SE APIs use the Secure Element, a certified chip on the device designed to store sensitive information securely. The solution also incorporates Apple’s Secure Enclave, biometric authentication, and Apple servers to protect users during contactless transactions further.
Users can initiate transactions by opening the relevant app or setting it as their default contactless app in iOS Settings, then double-clicking the side button on their iPhone.
To implement this feature, developers must enter a commercial agreement with Apple, request the NFC and SE entitlement, and pay associated fees. This process ensures that only authorized developers who meet industry and regulatory standards can access these APIs.
Despite these new capabilities, Apple Pay and Wallet will continue to provide users with secure and private payment options.
