With Tap to Pay on iPhone and the Yoco App, you can accept all types of in-person, contactless payments right on your iPhone. Before you get set up, check that you’ve completed the following to avoid delays:
✨ New to Yoco? If you want to sign up with Yoco and use Tap to Pay on iPhone, without buying a card machine, you need to sign up at https://www.yoco.com/za/tap-to-pay-on-iphone/.
✔️ Checked that your iPhone and iOS meet the minimum requirements: Tap to Pay on iPhone is compatible with iPhone XS or later and works best with the latest version of iOS. It cannot be used on an iPad.
✔️ Set your iPhone's Date & Time settings to automatic – this is important because Tap to Pay on iPhone transactions rely on real-time data to protect your customer and business data.
✔️ Set a passcode or Face ID for your iPhone – go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode on your device.
✨ Please note: Tap to Pay on iPhone requires a stable WiFi or cellular data connection.
Setting up Tap to Pay on iPhone in your Business settings
✨ It's also possible to set up Tap to Pay on iPhone via the banner on the Hub tab. Tap the Get started link on the banner, tap the Use Tap to Pay on iPhone button on the screen that opens up, then follow steps 4–20 as outlined below.
Please note: Tap Allow when prompted to allow Yoco to find Bluetooth devices.
Log in to the Yoco Mobile App.
To access your Business settings, tap on your business name in the top right corner of the Yoco Mobile App.
Once your Business settings have opened up, select the Tap to Pay on iPhone tile/widget.
Select the Activate Tap to Pay on iPhone button.
Select the Continue button to link your Yoco profile to your Apple ID. Or, select the Use a Different Apple ID button to log in to another Apple ID.
Read the Tap to Pay on iPhone Terms and Conditions, then tap Agree to accept them and continue.
A message will appear on screen while your Apple ID is being linked to your Yoco profile. As soon as the ‘Account Linked’ message appears, you are ready to start using Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Tap the Get Updates button if you'd like to receive the latest information about Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Read through the instructions on how to accept contactless cards.
When the 'Configuring' message on your screen changes to ‘Configured’, select the Try Tap to Pay on iPhone button to complete a test transaction.
You’ll now be directed back to your Business settings where the Tap to Pay on iPhone toggle will be switched on.
Tap the back arrow (top left corner of your screen) twice to return to the Hub tab.
Tap the Sales tab.
Tap the Card sale button.
Enter the sale amount, add a note if necessary, then tap the Charge button.
Select the Tap to Pay on iPhone button.
A ‘Preparing payment’ message will appear on your screen.
When the payment amount appears, ask your customer to hold their card horizontally or their device at the top of your iPhone, over the contactless symbol for a few seconds.
A ‘Done’ message will appear on your screen once the payment has been processed.
💡 Good to know: If you’re storing any cards in your phone case, we recommend removing them as they could cause read errors, or card clash – this in when the device is confused about which card to charge.
Once the payment has been approved, your customer can tap Get receipt to scan the QR code or receive their receipt via SMS or email.
✨ To take your next payment with Tap to Pay on iPhone:
Log in to the Yoco Mobile App.
Go to the Sales tab.
Tap the Card sale button.
Enter the sale amount and tap Charge.
Choose Tap to Pay on iPhone.
When the payment amount appears, ask your customer to hold their card horizontally or their device at the top of your iPhone, over the contactless symbol for a few seconds.
Troubleshooting contactless payments
Card issues
What if a contactless payment card isn’t being read?
The performance of contactless cards can vary based on the card design, such as the card material or the location of the antenna. As a result, some cards connect more easily than others.
Try the following to ensure a successful card read:
First, ask the customer to hold their contactless payment card directly on the device with the chip on the left side and the longer side of the card lined up with the edge of the tap area for several seconds.
If the card still doesn’t read, ask the customer to slide the card to centre the chip directly over the notch on the device.
If the contactless card remains unread without any feedback from the interface, the card might have a damaged antenna or might not work with contactless payments.
Error messages
'Permissions for payments have not been provided'
If you're seeing this message and you've already activated Tap to Pay on iPhone, it means that Bluetooth and Locations haven't been enabled in your iPhone's settings. To enable them, head to Settings → Apps → Yoco.
What does it mean when a customer taps their card and the interface displays a “Try a Different Card” or “Unable to Read Card” error?
This means that the customer is using a contactless card that Yoco doesn’t support. For example, an international customer may have a card that isn’t widely accepted outside their region. Click here for a full list of Yoco-supported cards.
When trying to use Tap to Pay on iPhone an iOS alert displays “Unable to Set Up Tap to Pay on iPhone – Remove one or more cards from Wallet and try again”. What does this mean?
This error occurs during setup on a new device if there is insufficient space to load Tap to Pay on iPhone. Insufficient space can be caused by having too many payment cards set up in Apple Wallet. Try removing one or more cards from Apple Wallet and then try to use Tap to Pay on iPhone again.
✨ Tap to Pay on iPhone Payment FAQs
How do I refund a Tap to Pay on iPhone transaction? Tap to Pay on iPhone transactions are refunded in the same way as all card transactions. Click here for a step-by-step guide.
How can I disable Tap to Pay on iPhone? To disable Tap to Pay on iPhone, go to your Business settings, by tapping on your business name in the top right corner of the Yoco Mobile App. Next, tap on the Tap to Pay on iPhone option and toggle the switch to the ‘off’ position.
* Tap to Pay on iPhone Requirements: Tap to Pay on iPhone requires a supported payment app and the latest version of iOS. Update to the latest version by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install. Some contactless cards may not be accepted by your payment app. Transaction limits may apply. The Contactless Symbol is a trademark owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. Tap to Pay on iPhone is not available in all markets. For Tap to Pay on iPhone countries and regions, see developer.apple.com/tap-to-pay/regions.
* Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. Neither Apple Inc. nor Apple Payments Services LLC is a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer.