In short: Tap to Pay lets you take contactless card and mobile payments directly on a phone, with no separate card machine. The customer taps their card, phone or watch on your device. Tap to Pay on iPhone and on Android suit sole traders and mobile businesses wanting to take payments with no extra hardware.
Tap to Pay turns your phone into a contactless card machine - no extra hardware. Here's how it works and who it suits.
How it works
With a supported app (SumUp, Square, Zettle and others), customers tap their card, phone or watch directly on your phone. The payment runs through the app - no separate reader needed.
Who it's good for
Tradespeople, mobile sellers, pop-ups and anyone who wants a zero-hardware backup. It's ideal as a 'just in case' option even if you also own a reader.
FAQs
Is Tap to Pay on iPhone safe?
Yes. Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the phone's built-in contactless reader and Apple's security, so card details are encrypted and not stored on the device. It meets the same payment security standards as a dedicated card machine, making it safe for everyday business use.
Do I need a card reader to use Tap to Pay?
No. That is the main appeal. Tap to Pay turns a supported phone into the card reader itself, so customers tap their card or phone directly on yours. You just need a compatible device and an app from a provider such as SumUp, Square or Zettle.
What phones support Tap to Pay in the UK?
Tap to Pay on iPhone works on newer iPhone models running a recent version of iOS, with a supported payment app. Many modern Android phones with NFC also support tap-to-pay through provider apps. Always check your provider lists your exact handset as compatible.
Reviewed by Nathan Keeble - Founder, The POS
Independent UK payments research. We research the pricing, read the small print and write it up in plain English.