Square launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia

When it was announced to have landed on Australia’s shore in May, Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone was considered to be a competitor to Square’s portable POS network, however, the fintech company has partnered up with Apple, launching Tap to Pay on iPhone in Australia. “We remain committed to building powerful, elegant hardware solutions for businesses. Tap to Pay on iPhone can be additive to a seller’s commerce setup already featuring Square hardware, providing a mobile solution that gives sellers more flexibility to enhance the in-person experience they provide their customers,” the company stated.

Available for Square merchants within the Square Point of Sale, Square for Retail, and Square Appointments iOS apps, Tap to Pay on iPhone lets sellers of all sizes accept contactless payments directly from their iPhone, with no additional hardware required and at no additional cost. Using Apple’s built-in data security, card numbers aren’t stored on the device or on its servers. 

“Australia is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators, and small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of the country’s workforce, employing millions of Australians. Now, with Tap to Pay on iPhone it’s easier than ever for businesses of any size to seamlessly accept contactless payments using only their iPhone, wherever they do business,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet when the option was introduced in Australia back in May. “The convenience of Tap to Pay on iPhone empowers Australian businesses to offer easy, secure, and private contactless payment experiences to their customers, and help them run and grow their business.”

In a statement from Square, the company said, “Tap to Pay on iPhone gives sellers a flexible, mobile solution that can adapt to any environment while meeting evolving consumer preferences for contactless payments. Together with Apple’s contactless payment acceptance technology, Square’s software creates a smooth, straightforward checkout experience that provides shoppers with all the information needed to help them complete their purchase with confidence.” 

In the United States, Square’s partnership with Tap to Pay on iPhone became available to its millions of sellers in the US late last year. Following its successful US launch, Australia has become the second country to adopt it. 

“Australian businesses are incredibly tech savvy and are always looking for solutions that can make running their business easier,” said Marco Lamantia, Executive Director of Square in Australia. “Tap to Pay on iPhone helps reduce some of the barriers to entry for new businesses, and enables existing sellers to create new ways to sell with nothing more than their iPhone and the Square app. They can get set up in minutes and begin making sales in seconds.”

The technology works with contactless cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, with existing Square merchants able to use the feature from today using the Square POS, Square for Retail, or Square Appointments app on an iPhone XS or later running the latest version of iOS.