Apple Pay Arrives in Philippines with Major Bank Support
Apple Pay has launched in the Philippines, allowing customers to make contactless payments using their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac at thousands of stores, apps, and websites across the country. Major banks such as Chinabank, GoTyme Bank, Metrobank, and UnionBank are supporting the launch, enabling their customers to add their eligible credit and debit cards to Apple Pay and make purchases.
The launch expands Apple’s digital payment service to one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital payments markets. Thousands of merchants, including Abenson, Anko, Ayala Malls, and Jollibee, now accept Apple Pay. Additionally, payment processor Maya Business will begin enabling Apple Pay for over 5,000 online merchants. Customers can pay in stores by double-clicking the side button on their iPhone or Apple Watch, authenticating with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and holding the device near a contactless payment terminal.
Apple Pay is designed to provide a simple payment experience while maintaining high standards of privacy and security. Users’ card numbers are not stored on their devices or on Apple servers; instead, a unique Device Account Number is generated and securely stored in the device’s Secure Element. If a device is lost or stolen, customers can use the Find My app to locate it, lock it, or suspend Apple Pay remotely.
The Philippines’ growing adoption of digital payments made it a natural market for Apple Pay, according to Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Apple Pay is now available in more than 90 countries and regions and works with over 11,000 banking partners worldwide.
This launch is connected to the broader trend of digital payment adoption in the Philippines, where services like Google Pay have also recently debuted, indicating a significant shift towards contactless payments in the region.
