The launch of Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, is upon us. Apple has begun preparing for the launch by kicking off Apple Pay training programs for its own group of retail store employees and by working with retailers to prepare for the debut later this month. The training materials, shared by a reliable source, for the Apple Pay launch at Apple retail stores have also detailed some new specifics regarding the Apple Pay setup and transaction processes both on customer iPhones and in Apple retail stores…
As can be seen in the image above, Apple Pay can be set up via the Passbook application through both the initial iOS 8 setup process or in a new Settings.app tab called Passbook & Apple Pay. Some of these details were previously revealed by internal settings in the latest iOS 8.1 beta seed for developers.
Credit cards can be added to Passbook via an iTunes account or by using the iPhone’s camera to scan in details. Passbook will be able to store up to 8 credit/debit cards, according to the training materials.
Interestingly, the Passbook/Apple Pay settings will have deep ties to the credit card companies and banks involved in the service. For each connected credit card/bank, users will have a simple list of recent transactions, quick access to download an accompanying App Store app, the ability to contact their bank, the option to receive push notifications, and a display of both their credit card’s number and the unique device account number. Another cool tidbit is that if a credit card expires, Passbook will automatically update the card with the new expiration date from the credit card company. Users will not need to delete and re-add the card; they will simply receive a push notification alerting them that the changed occurred.
According to the Apple Store Apple Pay training materials, Apple will push the service in its stores with both ease of use and security as the main talking points. As we reported in September, Apple will be using NFC-capable EasyPay sleds to be able to conduct Apple Pay transactions throughout its stores.
Apple has also informed employees how product returns can be handled if transactions were initially processed via Apple Pay. According to the training materials, a customer who wants to return an item can simply touch their iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus against the Apple Store EasyPay machine to populate their recent transaction history in the store.
For security purposes, Apple Store receipts for items purchased with Apple Pay will no longer show the customer’s contact information or credit card number. Solely the last four digits of their iPhone’s unique Apple Pay device ID will be shown. This can be seen in the mockup receipt shown above. Another change: customers will not be required to provide their name or email address at checkout to receive a receipt, unless they’re buying a service like AppleCare.
Another interesting topic for Apple Pay is customer service: what happens if Apple Pay is not working properly for a customer? At least in Apple Stores, retail employees will have access to special software called “Apple Pay Demo” that can troubleshoot an iPhone to determine if Apple Pay is not working due to an iPhone hardware issue. If it is not a hardware issue, retail employees will refer customers to their bank and/or credit card provider. The Apple Pay Demo service can be conducted by any retail employee so that Genius Bars are not bothered with Apple Pay issues.
All Apple Store employees will be required to take part in one hour of mandatory Apple Pay training within the coming days. The fact that Apple has begun Apple Pay training in its stores indicates that a launch is quickly approaching. Apple will be holding a media event on October 16th, and the company is likely to discuss final launch details for the new service at that event. An internal memo sent to Walgreens managers indicates that a launch can come as soon as Saturday, October 18th while at least one second tier bank expects its support to launch in early November.
Besides preparing its own stores for the launch, Apple has actually kicked off the service at its Caffe’ Macs restaurant at its 1 Infinite Loop headquarters in the past few days, according to multiple Apple employees. The images above show what a full Apple Pay transaction looks like at a retailer; in this case, Caffe’ Macs.
Besides discussion of Apple Pay at its October 16th event, Apple is planning to introduce a pair of faster iPad models with Touch ID (that hook into the Apple Pay in-app-purchase feature), and a higher-resolution version of the iMac alongside OS X Yosemite.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Mark Gurman
Reblogged this on Apple Rumors.
Nic touch on the cc expiration bit
Not a nice touch; a fundamental requirement.
The aim is to kill the plastic card. If you still need to send the customer a card to update his expiration, it hasn’t done that.
“Not a nice touch; a fundamental requirement. The aim is to kill the plastic card. If you still need to send the customer a card to update his expiration, it hasn’t done that.”
It’s a nice touch in the apple pay world, while you’ll still need the physical card to shop at places that still do not accept apple pay, the nice touch is or the places that do. you won’t have to re-enter the exp date and new 3 digit code on the back in order to keep using apple pay when your card expires and the bank issues you a new one. Simple as that.
I’m liking this a whole lot – yes, I expect the roll out to be slow, have some problems and some initial frustration, but it’s new to the Apple eco-system.
I really like how easy it was to “enroll” my credit cards in the Safari App – Thanks to the 9 to 5 step by step guide that was posted yesterday.
I’m really looking forward to the day that I “only” have to carry 1 physical credit card with me – and, hopefully, Apple can work with the States to allow us to “enroll” our drivers license and car registration. Fewer things in my wallet AND fewer things to worry about if I lose the wallet.
Don’t count on your license going digital. Ever.
Here in Queensland, Australia. Our licences have a credit card chip for security, they have yet to be fully functional but the idea is to have all your info on that chip. Police will have chip readers and will be able to quickly get all your info in one go.
I have been to a club where they have a chip reader as you enter the door, this is to keep trouble makers out and stop fake ID’s making the rounds, as your ID can only been scanned once.
I think it is a great idea going all digital, it’s only a matter of time!
then it becomes a bigger thing if you lose your phone.
I’m intrigued by the iTunes balance. Does this mean we’ll be able to load iTunes up with credit and make purchasers with that $$ elsewhere other than iTunes?
No, the iTunes balance in Passbook is a feature Apple implemented a few months back called iTunes Pass.
https://www.apple.com/itunes/gifts/
Before iTunes Pass, if you wanted to purchase gift card credit, you would have to buy a new gift card (and there are minimums, £15 in the UK).
iTunes Pass lets you reload an account gift card with no minimum from a Apple Retail store.
Thanks for the clarification.
I’m hoping this rolls out pretty soon in the UK too. I can see us benefitting from it more quickly than the US given pretty much anywhere with a Chip & PIN payment terminal that’s been updated in the last few years has contactless payment built in too, which this will work with. It’s mostly down to the banks, but Barclays was on their list so I’m hopeful that means a UK roll out sooner rather than later (unless it just means Barclay Card USA or their other US operations which is entirely possible).
I think this is a bit different to our chip & pin contactless payment system we have in the UK. Firstly you are limited to small transactions for contactless payments of £25 i believe. The Apple Pay system will need more software updates to the terminals which i hope will be automatic (as all these devices are connected to a phone line)
I hope I’m wrong, but the fact Apple Pay creates a one time auth code per transaction makes me think this will be slightly different to our contactless payment methods
Let’s hope there’s been some attention to detail and fit and polish on this integration when compared to the other parts of iOS that have been lacking and severely underdeveloped since version 1, like Videos, Photos, music and email, among others.
My bet is it would be possible to use the new iPads as an Apple Pay terminal. Many retailers in Germany are already using iPads at the cash desk.
That is not true. I live in germany and habe Never seen something like this.
Look, I like apple, I’ve owned every phone as far back as the 3gs up to the 6 now. But this Apple Pay, is not going to catch. People are seeing this as “easier”, but in reality, I can pull my wallet out of my pocket, grab my card, and swipe it faster than I could pull my phone out, unlock it, go to passbook, choose the right card, hold it to a machine, fingerprint scan, and then be done. It’s certainly not going to be faster, and I think a lot of people will abandon it just as fast as they try it.
you don’t have to unlock it, and you set the card you want to use as default, you pull your phone out, touch the finger print reader and hold it over the terminal done. If you pull your wallet out, then pull out the card, then swipe it, and then have to sign or enter in a 4 digit code, you’re already way behind in time.
Like five seconds? I agree he had the operation of apple pay incorrect. But in the end you still have to remove an item from your pocket to make a payment. Only now your wallet needs a battery.
My opinion, if the technology existed, apple should have created a pay braclet. Does t require a phone or an expensive wrist tech, platform independent, and a much longer charge life. It would have the chance of being stolen, sure but that’s np different than losing a phone or a wallet, only now they have to get it off your wrist. Plus the market would have been huge compared to what they have for the apple watch.
maybe if youre a moron who doesnt know how to use a credit card. this is marginally faster. dont kid yourself. if it actually is.
I think you’re only focusing on one benefit of Apple Pay, the “speed.” Consider some of the other benefits, such as digitizing credit cards (if you forget your wallet), providing easier access to transaction history, likely reducing/minimizing skimming devices at card swiping terminals, and in general moving away from physical cards all together. While the speed might not beat out every other option, it certainly is helping move things in a good direction. I believe Apple Pay will become widely accepted within 12 months, and likely even less time.
I think Tom is exactly right… it’s a step away from “this piece of plastic is my payment” towards “my confirmed identity is my payment”
I hope it catches, actually it pretty cool!
i like this ” Poweradd™ Pilot 2GS 10000mAh Dual USB Portable Charger Backup Battery Pack with Quick Charge and Aluminum Body Design for iphone 6 Plus, iPhone 5S 5C 5 4S, iPad Air Mini Retina, Samsung Galaxy S5 S4 S3, Note 4 3 2, HTC One, Nexus 5, LG G3 Optimus, other Smartphones and Tablets (Apple Adapters Not Included) – Gold ” on amazon click here http://goo.gl/oObTV0
Only apple users need to be trained to let someone touch an NFC tag.