Apple Pay was launched in the UK about nine months ago. However, it is only until now that the mobile payment system has received backing from one of the country’s largest banks – Barclays.
Owners of iPhones, iPads as well as Apple Watches can make tap-to-pay transactions using their devices thanks to this Apple Pay system. However, it is just now that Barclays account holders have had their cards activated with respect to this service.
Many users of Barclays in the UK have been storming to Twitter to express their happiness for the new support from Apple Pay. This means that the mobile payment service can now accept debit and credit cards issued by Barclays. One thing that many didn’t expect is for this bank to take such a long period before offering the needed support for Apple Pay, but still, it is better late than never.
When Apple Pay was first rolled out to the UK somewhere in July 2015, many were surprised to see that Barclays bank was not among the list of banks that supported the service. The addition of this service comes as good news for holders of accounts with this bank as their transactions are going to getter more hassle-free.
Other currently supported banks include Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Halifax, M&S Bank, Nationwide, Santander, MBNA, Ulster Bank, Tesco Bank, First Direct, NatWest and TSB.
The coming of Apple Pay on Barclays bank is as a result of complaints raised by furious customers who had supposedly threatened to leave the bank. However, the CEO of the bank moved in to cool things down by promising that the service will be supported in early 2016. This was further confirmed in January with a statement saying that the service will be available in March. Although a few days late, it is finally here and users of Barclays bank can finally use their cards to make Apple Pay payments all over the country.
Apple Pay requires iOS 8.1 and above
In order for Barclays account holders to link their debit or credit cards with Apple Pay, they need to make sure that their devices are installed with at least iOS 8.1. Users have the option to manually scan the card or add the details manually by simply hitting the “Add Credit or Debit Card” button and then follow the simple on-screen instructions to set it up.
Since its launch in 2014, Apple Pay has been spreading its wings gradually. The service started in the U.S. and later found way to the UK, Canada, Australia and just recently, it was availed to the Chinese market.