ICYMI: Apple Pay lands PH with Chinabank, GoTyme, Metrobank, UnionBank support

Thousands of merchants, including Jollibee, Globe, Smart, Shopee, and foodpanda, will accept Apple Pay at launch.

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Apple Pay's PH bank and merchant list

Apple has launched Apple Pay in the Philippines, letting users pay with iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac at thousands of in-store and online merchants, backed by several major Philippine banks across credit and debit networks.

At launch, credit and debit cardholders from Chinabank, GoTyme Bank, Metrobank, and UnionBank can use Apple Pay. Customers of select banks can also apply for a virtual card through their bank's app or website, issued instantly and added to Apple Pay for immediate use.

On the merchant side, Apple named Abenson, Anko, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Ayala Malls, Beyond the Box, Coach, Digimap, Foot Locker, Globe, HOKA, Hollister, Jollibee, Lush, Power Mac Center, Rustan's, SaladStop!, Shake Shack, Smart, The Loop, The Matcha Tokyo, The Movie Snackbar, The Underbelly, and WalterMart Supermarket as accepting Apple Pay in stores, with foodpanda, Jollibee, Rustan's, and Shopee supporting it online. Apple said more merchants are expected to follow.

Maya Business will separately enable Apple Pay for more than 5,000 online merchants.

The Philippines is home to a digital-first generation that is rapidly embracing a vision for a cashless future, all while expecting security and privacy at every step, said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. "Apple Pay makes everyday payments simple, secure, and seamless, whether users are shopping in stores or online, with no need to open another app.

Apple said users keep earning the same rewards and benefits from their existing cards when using Apple Pay. In stores, users pay by double-clicking the side or Home button, authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID, and holding their device near a contactless reader. Apple Pay also works for purchases in apps and on the web without creating accounts or re-entering contact, card, or shipping details.

On security, Apple said actual card numbers are never stored on the device or on Apple's servers. Instead, an encrypted Device Account Number is stored in the device's Secure Element chip, and Apple does not retain transaction information tied to the user, with transactions kept between the user, merchant, and card issuer. Lost or stolen devices can be located, locked, or suspended from payments through the Find My app.

Apple Pay is now available in more than 90 countries and regions, working with more than 11,000 bank partners worldwide.

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Source: Apple