Apple Pay in U.K.: £20 Contactless Transmission Limit, But No PIN Required

Apple Pay is set to rollout to the United Kingdom in July, and with information being a bit sparse about the rollout, Apple has posted a FAQ on its website to explain how everything will work.

Apple says that by default, Apple Pay uses the same technology as current contactless credit cards, so the process for the service will work the same as for the cards. An Apple Pay purchase will not require a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be entered to complete the transaction.

Apple does note that the usual £20 limit on contactless transactions will apply, at least at first. This is the standard U.K. limit for contactless transactions. In September the limit increases to £30 for all contactless transactions, and this will include Apple Pay.

Transactions exceeding the £20/£30 limits will require either a PIN or a signature, unless the merchant’s reader supports a technology called “Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method.” While this technology is being adopted slowly by merchants, as it requires new payment processors. When it is in place, the contactless payment from Apple Pay will go through, taking into account the added security of Touch ID, and therefore not needing a PIN or signature.

Apple Pay launches in the U.K. in July, and almost all major banks have signed up to support the service in the U.K., with the notable exception of Barclays, which has yet to sign with Apple.

(Via 9to5Mac)

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.