HELp CENTER: Tap to Pay on iPhone

With Tap to Pay on iPhone now available with the Union Pocket Handheld POS, you can accept all types of in-person, contactless payments right on your iPhone—from physical debit and credit cards, to Apple Pay and other digital wallets. No extra hardware needed! It’s easy, secure, and private.

Get Activated Today →

What is Tap to Pay on iPhone?

With Tap to Pay on iPhone and the Union Pocket handheld POS, you can accept contactless payments—like credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets—right on your iPhone. No extra hardware, dongles, or terminals needed.

This guide will walk you through the activation process.


REQUIREMENTS

Before getting started, make sure you meet the following:

  • Device: iPhone 12 or later
  • iOS: Latest version installed
  • Union App: Installed and updated


ACTIVATION STEPS

1. Request activation

Start by contacting Union Support to begin the onboarding process, here.

2. Submit documents

You’ll be prompted to review and sign:

  • The Tap to Pay on iPhone Addendum (sent via PandaDoc)
  • Your VAR sheet (provided by your processor)
  • Your Tax ID number

Support will collect these and route to the Payments team for setup.

3. Sign Apple’s Terms

Once your processor info is confirmed, you’ll receive an email from Union with Apple’s official Tap to Pay on iPhone Terms & Conditions. This step is mandatory before activation and will require that you have your business Apple ID. 

4. Enable Tap to Pay in the Union App

After Apple’s terms are signed:

  1. Open the Union app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the ☰ (menu icon).
  3. Select Card Reader Settings.
  4. Select Tap to Pay.
  5. Return to the home screen—your device is now configured.
  6. You may receive a brief firmware update.
  7. To test:
    • Open a new tab
    • Add a $1 open item
    • Select Pay > Tap to Pay
    • Hold a contactless card or digital wallet near the top of your iPhone
    • Wait for confirmation

The first tap may take up to 30 seconds—future taps will be faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any iPhone?
Tap to Pay on iPhone requires iPhone 12 or later and works best with the latest version of iOS.

Are there fees associated with Tap to Pay?
Tap to Pay on iPhone usage will incur a transaction fee of $0.05 per transaction.

Do I need a card reader?
Nope! That’s the beauty of Tap to Pay on iPhone—no extra hardware required.

Is the Union app required?
Yes. Tap to Pay works directly through the Union app. Make sure you’re using the most updated version from the App Store.

Which payment types are supported?
Contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, other NFC-based digital wallets.

Can I use my own iPhone or do I have to buy one from Union?
You can use any compatible iPhone (iPhone 12 or newer). Many customers bring their own devices (BYOD), which makes scaling faster and cheaper.

What if my customer doesn’t have a contactless card or wallet?
You can use Union’s QR fallback feature. The customer can scan a QR code on your iPhone to close their tab and pay—no contactless required.

Can I still collect tips and send receipts?
Yes. Customers can add a tip, sign digitally, and receive receipts via email or printer, just like they would with a card reader.

Does Tap to Pay on iPhone work offline?
No. An internet connection is required to process payments. We recommend a strong Wi-Fi or cellular signal for best performance.

How secure is it?
Very secure. Apple does not store card numbers on the device or on Apple servers. Your customer’s data stays privateMarketing Guide_US_Engl….

What if I need help troubleshooting?
Our Support team is happy to help. Just share your venue name, iPhone model, issue details, and last 4 digits of any affected cards.

Tap to Pay on iPhone requires a supported payment app and the latest version of iOS. Update to the latest version by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install. Some contactless cards may not be accepted by your payment app. Transaction limits may apply. The Contactless Symbol is a trademark owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. Tap to Pay on iPhone is not available in all markets. For Tap to Pay on iPhone countries and regions, see developer.apple.com/tap-to-pay/regions.