Home › News ›

Apple Opens up NFC on iPhones with iOS 18.1

Article Comments

Aug 14, 2024, 1:46 PM by Rich Brome

Apple is officially opening up the NFC functions of iPhones to third-party apps with the forthcoming iOS version 18.1. This will enable tap (AKA "contactless") transactions in apps other than Apple Wallet. Examples include "in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, and event tickets, with government IDs to be supported in the future." Users will even be able to designate an alternate wallet app as the default for tap payments, instead of Apple Pay. Apple is releasing new APIs for developers to access both NFC and the Secure Element hardware that Apple uses to store sensitive information securely. Multiple government regulators around the world have pressured Apple to open up NFC to third parties. As it has done with other concessions to regulators, Apple is restricting access to these new APIs, requiring a contract, fees, and special approval to receive an "entitlement" to use the new APIs.

Related

Hyatt Launches Apple Wallet Room Keys

Dec 10, 2021
Hyatt has launched phone-based digital room keys at its first six hotel properties. iPhone and Apple Watch users can now choose to add their hotel room key to Apple Wallet and forego any physical room key.

iOS 16 Revamps the Lock Screen

Jun 6, 2022
Apple today announced iOS 16, the next version of its core software for iPhones. The new OS features a major revamp of the Lock Screen with new personalization, including font & color options, and widgets that are similar to complications on the Apple Watch.

Square Launches Tap to Pay on iPhone

Sep 29, 2022
The Square Point of Sale app now fully supports Tap to Pay on iPhone, allowing any iPhone (11 or newer) to act as a payment terminal able to accept NFC (tap) payments without any additional hardware. Previously, merchants needed a separate hardware accessory to accept any kind of in-person card or tap payments.

iOS 17 Brings Comprehensive Protection Against Unwanted Nude Images

Jun 7, 2023
Apple's forthcoming iOS 17 will include a suite of new options to protect both children and adults from inappropriate and/or unwanted sexual content. The features are a significant expansion of the technology already available via Communication Safety.

Google Teases More of Pixel 8

Sep 7, 2023
Google has posted an official page on its web site for the forthcoming Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. The page includes a few photos plus a short video with a all-around views of both phones.

more news about: