What is Tap to Pay on iPhone?

Accepting payments is a crucial part of running any business. But for some, card readers can be expensive and inconvenient. What if you could use a device you already have in your pocket?

With Helcim's Tap to Pay on iPhone, you can! This feature lets you accept contactless payments directly on your iPhone, without any additional hardware. It's fast, secure, and simple to use, making it perfect for businesses of all sizes.

At the moment, Tap to Pay on iPhone with the Helcim POS app is only available for our US merchants.

Tap to Pay on iPhone with Helcim colours


In this article


Why did we make Tap to Pay on iPhone?


Okay, so we didn't invent Tap to Pay on iPhone – that's all Apple's magic. But what we did do is bring this awesome feature to your Helcim account!

We know that small business owners like you need payment solutions that are both powerful and easy to use. Tap to Pay on iPhone simplifies the payment process, allowing you to focus on what you do best – running your business. It eliminates the need for additional hardware, reduces setup time, and offers a secure way to accept payments on the go.

Who is Tap to Pay on iPhone for?


Tap to Pay on iPhone is ideal for a wide range of businesses, including:

  • Mobile businesses: Food trucks, delivery services, contractors, and tradespeople who need to accept payments at various locations.

  • Retail stores: Businesses looking to offer a faster, more convenient checkout experience.

  • Service providers: Salons, spas, and other businesses that want to accept payments directly after providing a service.

  • Pop-up shops and markets: Businesses that need a flexible and portable payment solution.

Essentially, any business that needs to accept in-person payments can benefit from the simplicity and convenience of Tap to Pay on iPhone.

What are its features and benefits?


Contactless payments: Accept all major contactless cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Fast transactions: Customers simply tap their card or device on your iPhone to complete the payment in seconds.

Enhanced security: Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the built-in security features of the iPhone to protect every transaction.

Easy setup: No additional hardware or complicated setup is required. Simply enable the feature in the Helcim app and you're ready to go.

Transaction history: Keep track of all your Tap to Pay on iPhone transactions within the Helcim app.

How much does it cost?


You don’t need to pay anything to get access to Tap to Pay on iPhone through Helcim. You'll only pay Helcim's in-person processing rates per transaction, plus an additional $0.10 for each successful transaction.

For more information on our pricing, visit our pricing page.

How do I start using Tap to Pay on iPhone?


To start using Tap to Pay on iPhone, you'll need:

  • A compatible iPhone: iPhone XS using iOS 17.0, or any newer model or iOS.

  • The latest version of the Helcim app.

  • A Helcim account.

  • A business operating in the US (not available in Canada yet)

Don't have a Helcim account yet? Sign up today!

If you meet these requirements, you can enable Tap to Pay on iPhone within the app and start accepting payments.

Next steps


Ready to dive deeper into Tap to Pay on iPhone? Check out these articles:


FAQ

Is Tap to Pay on iPhone secure?

Yes, Tap to Pay on iPhone is very secure. It uses the built-in security features of your iPhone to encrypt every transaction, protecting both you and your customers from fraud.

Do I need any special hardware to use Tap to Pay on iPhone?

No, you don't need any additional hardware. Your compatible iPhone acts as the payment terminal.

What types of payments can I accept?

You can accept all major contactless cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay).

Why is this feature not available in Canada?

We’re currently working on bringing Tap to Pay on iPhone to our Canadian merchants. There’s just a few hurdles for us to jump before it’s a reality!

While the feature isn’t available yet, we’d love to add you to our waitlist for the Canadian release so you’re among the first to try it out. If you’re interested, reach out to us at help@helcim.com.