The partnership allows users to add their bank cards via the app on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad to simplify everyday shopping
Apple and China UnionPay are collaborating to bring Apple Pay into the market. Adding convenience, privacy, and security to the Chinese brand’s mobile payments model, the partnership will enable consumers to add their bank cards via the app on the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad to simplify everyday shopping.
The QuickPass platform developed by China UnionPay will operate in tandem with Apple Pay to protect the user’s payment information using advanced payment tokenisation technology. Therefore, when a credit or debit card is added, the actual card number is not stored on the device or Apple servers.
Instead, a unique device account number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored on a dedicated chip dubbed the ‘Secure Element’ on a cardholder’s device. Meanwhile, each transaction is also authorised with a one-time dynamic security code, allowing payment using one single motion.
In stores, opening an app or waking the display is needless. To pay, an innovative NFC antenna permits one to simply hold the iPhone to a QuickPass-enabled POS terminal while the finger remains on the TouchID portion. Using the Apple Watch is equally easy.
A user would just need to double-click the side button and hold the timepiece face-up to the contactless reader to make a payment right from the wrist. With the service, the filling out of lengthy account forms or repeat billing information type entries will no longer be required.
For in-store transactions, Apple Pay works with the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch. When paying within apps, it is compatible with the same as well as the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro. The Apple Watch is not included across the second mode.
The platform will be available to China UnionPay cardholders in early 2016 after relevant tests and certification required by regulators, with the service itself in compliance with the applicable national mobile payment and financial industry standards in China.
“China is an extremely important market for Apple. With China UnionPay and support from 15 of the country’s leading banks, users will soon have a convenient, private, and secure payment experience,” said Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services at Apple.
