Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Malta

Apple has officially rolled out its Tap to Pay on iPhone service in Malta, alongside Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, and Luxembourg.

The technology enables merchants to use an iPhone –⁠ specifically iPhone XS models or newer running the latest iOS –⁠ as a payment terminal, eliminating the need for additional hardware. Through a partner-enabled iOS app, Maltese businesses can now accept payments made with contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, simply by prompting customers to hold their device or card near the merchant’s iPhone.

At checkout, the process is straightforward: Customers tap their contactless payment method on the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment is securely completed using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. This solution removes the dependency on traditional card machines or external terminals, making it especially attractive for small businesses, mobile vendors, and service providers operating on the go.

Importantly, Tap to Pay on iPhone integrates seamlessly with existing payment platforms, meaning local businesses do not need to overhaul their systems to adopt the technology. In Malta, Apple has partnered with Adyen, Global Payments, Revolut, SumUp, and Viva to offer the service from launch.

Apple emphasises that privacy and security remain central to the service. Transactions made via Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted and processed using the Secure Element, the same technology that underpins Apple Pay’s robust privacy framework. As a result, Apple states that it does not know what customers are purchasing or who is making the purchase.