Apple’s long-rumored payment platform finally arrives on iOS 8-running devices with the 8.1 update.
You add a card to Apple Pay by taking a picture of it. After verification from your bank, the card is added to Passbook, where you can access it for future purchases using an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. Owners can quickly open their card Passbook to use in retail stores and pay by tapping their phone at NFC payment terminals. A finger confirmation to your Touch ID sensor completes the purchase.
There are hundreds of apps and retailers already ready for Apple Pay, including Nike, Petco, Whole Foods, and Bloomingdale’s. But Apple expects most Apple Pay usage to come on the digital frontat first, through in-app purchases from titles like Instacart, AirBnB, and StubHub. Since they have Touch ID on their devices, iPhone 5s and new iPad owners will also be able to take advantage of the in-app purchases of Apple Pay.K