The newly developed API will be accessible in select regions, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
TL;DR
- Apple opens Near-Field Communication (NFC) to third-party developers.
- In the new iOS 18.1 version, Apple allows contactless payments via NFC.
- It will be possible to settle transactions via third-party applications on Apple phones.
Apple in the Age of Openness
A notable fact in the policy of the multinational Apple: it does not only open access to Near Field Communication (NFC) in the European Union, but also extends this access to functions like contactless payment in the United States and other regions.
The major advancement of iOS 18.1
Last Wednesday, the company released an announcement stating that third-party developers can now implement their own contactless transaction systems through an API in the upcoming iOS 18.1 release.
In a context where “Apple is constrained by the law” to comply with European Union regulations, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA)these new features come after a four-year investigation by the European Commission. The investigation concluded that Apple was at fault for preventing competing mobile wallet developers from accessing the iPhone’s underlying payment technology.
New possibilities thanks to NFC
With the arrival of iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer contactless payments and other transactions using the iPhone’s Secure Element, also used by Apple Pay.
Beyond payments, NFC powers other functions such as digital car keys, transit cards, compatible home locks, hotel keys, student IDs, event tickets, and loyalty and rewards cards. Apple has already announced that government IDs will be “supported in the future”.
What about developer fees?
To take advantage of these new features, developers will need to “to conclude a commercial agreement with Apple”request NFC and Secure Enclave rights and “pay the associated fees”. Additionally, Apple Pay and Apple Wallet will remain available even as competing systems are integrated into the company’s software.
