Apple is going to open up its NFC and tap-to-pay Secure Element functionality in iOS to alternative providers worldwide. This should be possible starting with the release of iOS 18.1. All this does require a contract with Apple and additional fees.
The new features will soon be available worldwide, although it is not yet known when iOS 18.1 launches. The rollout will take place first in the U.S. proper, but later in Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
This means that the current Apple NFC and Secure Element (SE) functionality that was still only usable for Apple Pay and Apple Wallet itself on iPhones will now open up to other providers. Starting with the new iOS release, these providers can also use their own contactless transaction systems in their apps via targeted APIs.
Think of contactless payments, for example, but also facilitating digital car keys, public transit cards, lock openers, hotel room keys, entrance tickets and loyalty cards. In the future, Apple indicates, government identity cards will also be supported.
Secure Element technology
The new APIs will also soon allow developers to tap into the existing SE functionality in iPhones. SE is an Apple-designed chip for storing sensitive information. This information can only be accessed through the so-called Secure Enclave that handles encryption and biometric data. Other phone makers have similar hardware implementations, but Apple’s design differs from them.
Snag
Needless to say, Apple has another catch for developers to use the tech giant’s technology. Developers who want to use Apple’s NFC and SE functionality for their own (payment) applications must first enter into a commercial agreement with Apple. They must also, of course, pay the “necessary fees.
Thanks to EU
Apple’s worldwide opening of NFC and SE follows the measures Apple had to take for this within the EU. Among other things, this opening up was part of the measures Apple had to comply with under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
In doing so, the EU forced Apple to allow other mobile wallet developers to access payment technology on iPhones as well.
Also read: Apple changes App Store policy again for DMA: what changes?