Are you interested in learning about Apple Pay but can’t find the time to read all of those in-depth articles with complicated terminology? Well here’s an alternative: Apple Pay for business the quick and dirty way. Everything you need to know to understand the technology and use it at your business…and nothing you don’t.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s jump into some frequently asked questions.
Apple Pay FAQs
Q: How do I accept Apple Pay at my business?
A: It’s all about the technology. You want to look for a contactless or NFC-ready point of sale terminal, such as a Clover Mini smart terminal, the new Square reader, or if you are a traditionalist, the VeriFone VX520 Contactless. Once you have the right equipment, you don’t need to sign up for anything through Apple; you’ll be ready to go. Apple Pay works with MasterCard, Visa, and American Express cards and current payment providers.
Q: What are the benefits of Apple Pay?
A: There are three main benefits:
Convenience: Customers no longer have to fish around for the right card buried in a wallet, they can select their card from their Apple Pay ready device.
Security: Because the card is stored as a transaction code, your payment systems do not receive any secure information—card numbers and customer data are all protected from theft. All transactions are also verified with a thumbprint, and you can still require a signature or PIN, if applicable.
Positive Experience: Showing your customers that you are concerned about their wellbeing and security means a lot. It also shows that your business is current and savvy, which doesn’t hurt either!
Q: Does an Apple Pay transaction count as a Card Present (CP) or No Card Present (NCP) transaction?
A: An in-person Apple Pay transaction is considered a Card Present (CP) transaction and will be treated as such by your payment processor.
Q: Can I accept Apple Pay right away if my terminal is already NFC/contactless payment-ready?
A: If you currently accept NFC/contactless transactions, you can probably accept Apple Pay without changing a thing. If you have an NFC ready terminal that has not been activated for contactless payments, talk to your payment processor to ensure that it is enabled.
Q: Will my customers still have to sign or enter a PIN?
A: Apple Pay does not change the requirements for signatures and PIN numbers. If the card transaction would have required a signature to confirm normally, then it will still require a signature. Similarly, a debit card with a PIN will still require the code.
| See an Apple Pay transaction in action with Apple’s 8-second long clip. (Source: apple.com) |
How to Run an Apple Pay Transaction in Four Steps
Step 1: Customer makes a purchase and sees an Apple Pay/NFC-ready terminal. Instead of grabbing their wallet, they use their iPhone or iPad and wave it near the PIN pad or terminal with a contactless symbol.
Step 2: The customer is given the choice to use their default card (securely stored in their phone) or to change to another card. They seamlessly authorize the transaction with a thumbprint confirmation.
Step 3: Apple Pay technology uses a tokenization process to relay the information in a single-use transaction to the financial institution for authorization. No personal data is exposed.
Step 4: Within seconds, the payment is confirmed from the financial institution and the transaction is complete.
Apple Pay Resources for Your Business
One thing Apple does right is marketing and creating buzz. Apple pay is already accepted at hundreds of thousands of stores, as well as in apps. (Click for a list of businesses currently accepting Apple Pay.)
Once you do get ready for NFC and Apple Pay, you’ll need an Apple Pay sticker to show that you do accept Apple Pay. If you click the link, you can sign up to get one from Apple, free.
Well, that’s it! We’re trying to keep it short and sweet here. Are there any questions you have that we’ve left unanswered? Call us at 888-902-6227 or email info@getvms.com and we’ll try our best to answer them!