Apple Pay arrives in Italy, the system launched by Cupertino in 2014 in the United States that uses NFC technology and transforms the iPhone into a digital payment device. It is a tool already used in 15 countries by tens of millions of users, with a transaction volume that has grown by 450% in the last 12 months.
1) HOW DOES IT WORK?
The mechanism is simple: just place the Apple device on a contactless credit and debit card POS, use the fingerprint reader to be authenticated and make the payment. The service can be used with smartphones from the iPhone 6 onwards, or with Apple Watch. It can also be used for payments within compatible apps and websites.
2) WITH WHICH CARDS (AND BANKS) IS IT COMPATIBLE?
Apple Pay supports Visa and Mastercard cards if provided by Unicredit, Carrefour Bank and Boon, an app that allows you to load a prepaid card from a bank even if it is not an Apple partner. Mediolanum and American Express will soon join the family, while in the coming months CartaBCC, ExprendiaSmart (a company card), Fineco, Hype (electronic prepaid card), N26 (a Berlin startup that offers banking services for smartphones) and Widiba (the digital of Mps).
The absence of Intesa Sanpaolo is conspicuous (which, according to some rumors, could become a partner of Samsung Pay, whose landing in Italy is expected within the year). After all, the banks of many other countries have already resisted due to the percentages requested by Apple for each transaction.
3) IN WHICH SHOPS CAN IT BE USED?
Apple Pay can be used wherever there is a contactless POS. However, the company has selected some partners who already have the necessary infrastructure (100% or almost XNUMX% contactless POS). Here's the list:
- Auchan
– Simply Market
- Long S
- Carrefour
- Lidl
– Eurospin
- Old wild West
– Autogrill
– The Renaissance
– OVS
- H&M
– Leroy Merlin
– Eataly
– Sephora
- Lemon
– Gardenia
– Banzai/ePrice
– Mondadori
– Apple Store
– MediaWorld
– Unieuro
4) ON WHICH APPS AND SITES?
As for compatible applications and sites, the list includes:
– Unieuro (app and website)
– ParkAppy (app)
– EniPay (app)
– Deliveroo (app and website)
– easyJet (app and website)
– Musement (app and site)
– Lily (site)
– Stockists (site)
– Private balances (app)
– Trainline (app)
– Booking.com (apps)
5) IS APPLE PAY SECURE?
After the card is approved, the bank creates an encrypted account number which is stored in Apple's "secure element", a certified chip. The number is unique, linked to the single device (therefore, if you change your iPhone, you have to reinsert the card), and it doesn't end up on Apple's servers or iCloud. When payment is made, the "secure element" provides the POS with the account number and a security code that does not coincide with the card number. If you lose your phone or Apple Watch, you can remotely disable Apple Pay with Find My iPhone.
