Instead of Apple Pay: PayPal starts with contactless numbers on iPhone

PayPal is currently launching a new function for NFC payments in Germany. The first users can now set up a virtual Debit MasterCard in the PayPal app, a PayPal account of the Mac & I editorial team has shown the extended functionality since Tuesday-even without another app update. This enables contactless payments to NFC cash terminals afterwards.

This is a novelty on the iPhone: For the first time, you can pay with your smartphone in shops without having to use Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. To avoid a competitive penalty, Apple has opened the NFC interface for other mobile payment services-now also outside the EU.

PayPal displaces Apple Pay either as a standard wallet

In order to pay contact without contact, users of the PayPal app must allow them to access the NFC interface of the iPhone. Then PayPal would like to be configured as a standard app for contactless payments, which is possible via the settings of iOS 18. The standard wallet receives all the comfort functions that were previously reserved for Apple Pay or the Apple Wallet. If you stick to a cash register terminal, then PayPal will present your card for payment, the release is conveniently done by Face ID. The PayPal MasterCard also opens two pressing of the iPhone side button for paying.

The “PayPal Card” created in the app uses the existing PayPal credit for payment processes or books the amount directly from a stored bank account. Optionally, it is possible to order a physical card, which costs 5 euros. This can be used, for example, to withdraw cash on the machine, as the payment service explains – 2 euros each are estimated as a fee.

NFC payments on iPhones and Android devices

NFC payments are not only possible with the iPhone app, but also with the Android app from PayPal. This can also be determined as a standard wallet in Android. Android users have been able to pay contactlessly with their PayPal account via Google Pay, this option never existed in Apple Pay. It remains open for the time being whether PayPal also says goodbye to Google Pay. PayPal has promised possibilities for payment and cashback campaigns for NFC playments to lure users to switch to their own wallet. There was nothing to be seen at the time of going to press.