Apple has now launched its Tap to Pay on iPhone service in both Egypt and Chile, making a total of 20 countries that have received the feature since it started in 2022.
Following quickly on the heels of its launch in the United Arab Emirates, Tap to Pay on iPhone has now also arrived in both Chile and Egypt. The latter has been confirmed by Egypt Today, which says that Apple has initially partnered with three major banks in the country.
It also says that the launch was enabled by how in 2023, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) approved new regulations over payment services using electronic devices and apps.
Tap to Pay on iPhone means that ultimately vendors and customers will be able to hold their iPhones near to one another and initiate a payment. As well as support by Apple and local banks, it requires a payment app, but it means merchants won't have to buy separate contactless devices.
At time of writing, Apple's own listing of countries that support the feature has not yet been updated to include Egypt. However, it has just had Chile added.
Despite Chile, Egypt, and the UAE following in quick succession in December 2024, Tap to Pay on iPhone has had a slow rollout. It was first accepted in US Apple Stores in May 2022, before spreading to the UK in 2023, and Japan in May 2024.
