Apple Pay is one of the world's most popular digital payment services, allowing users to purchase products in iOS apps, on the web and in real life. You can use it to pay with your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, and it's accepted by thousands and thousands of retailers. The benefit of Apple Pay is that it scans debit/credit card chips, giving users the option to make contactless payments. All you have to do is place your phone or watch in front of the terminal.
However, you can't do any of this until you set up Apple Pay on your device. Here's how to do it.
How to set up Apple Pay on an iPhone
Apple Pay was originally designed as a mobile-only platform, so setting it up on your iPhone will help with any other devices you own. To set up Apple Pay on your phone, add a debit or credit card to the Wallet app.
1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone. Look for a colored wallet icon or search through the phone's contents to find it.
2. Tap the Add Card button. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID, so do that.
3. Select the card. The app will ask you what type of card you are entering, so click Debit or Credit.
4. Enter the card information. You can do this manually or by positioning the card so that it appears in the camera frame. This allows the phone to take a photo of the card.
5. You can also click Previous Cards. By clicking Previous Cards, you can choose any cards you've used in the past to import into Apple Pay. You'll get a list of possible cards through purchases made with your Apple ID and Safari AutoFill. Once you tap a card, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
6. Consider other options. Apple Pay also lets you enter driver's licenses, state IDs, and transit cards.
7. Finish. Once finished, head to Settings to make any final adjustments. Tap your preferred option for how you want your card to appear. You can make the cards appear on the screen when you double-click the side button or the home button.
8. That's it. You can now purchase products by obtaining a digital replica of your card.
How to set up Apple Pay on an Apple Watch
Apple Watch integrates with Apple Pay for an incredibly convenient payment option, because you don't even need your phone nearby. Here's how to set up your smartwatch.
1. Take your phone. This process is quicker if a card is already in your iPhone, but we'll walk you through both procedures.
2. Head to the Watch app. If you already have a map stored, open the Watch app. Tap My Watch, then Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. You should see a list of available cards. Tap Add next to the card you want, then enter the CVV, which is the number on the back. That's it. You should be able to use your watch to make payments.
4. Open the Wallet app on your watch. If you enter a card manually on the watch, start by opening the Wallet app. Tap the More options button, then tap Add card.
5. Enter the card details. Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your card details.
6. Finish. Once finished, return to the Wallet app. Tap More options, then Default map. Find the card you just entered and tap it to set it as default. You are ready to go.
How to set up Apple Pay on an iPad
The iPad is essentially a big iPhone, so the setup process is similar. You can't use Apple's tablet on a physical payment terminal, but it's a great option for making online purchases.
1. Open Settings. Go to Settings and tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
2. Tap Add Card. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Have your login credentials handy.
3. Tap Debit or credit card, then tap Continue. Just like with the iPhone, you can manually enter the card details or let the tablet's camera take a photo of the card.
4. Think about the cards already in use. You can also click Previous Cards and select cards you have used in the past. This will bring up a list of possible cards. Tap a card and authenticate with Touch ID.
How to set up Apple Pay on a Mac
Mac laptops and desktops are also banned from physical sales terminals, for obvious reasons. However, it is still useful to have Apple Pay as an option when purchasing products online. Here's how to configure it.
1. Head to System Settings. On your Mac, go to System Settings. Next, click on Wallet and Apple Pay.
2. Click Add Card. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. Enter your credentials, then return to Wallet and Apple Pay.
3. Enter the card details. Click Enter card details manually and enter your payment information in the appropriate fields, or hold the card in front of your computer camera so it appears in the frame. The computer will take a photo and save all relevant data. Check again to make sure everything looks correct.
4. You can also use a card already registered with Apple. You should see a list of cards that you have previously entered for use in the iTunes Store or App Store. Click on the desired card and enter the security code when prompted.
5. That's all we can say about it. Keep an eye on your Apple ID account. If you sign out of your account to allow someone else to use the computer, you may need to reconfigure Apple Pay.
That's it. Apple Pay is set up and ready to go. We've also put together a guide on how to use the service once it's set up.