Apple launched Apple Pay in 2014 and it remains to this day one of the most efficient and secure ways to pay for goods and services, both at retail locations and online.

More Secure Than a Card

Although your digital card is generally linked to a physical card by association, the two are not identical. First, each Apple device that carries a card for Apple Pay generates and uses a unique card number that differs from the one printed on the physical card.

Second, your physical card information can potentially be stolen after you pull it out of your wallet, which can lead to payment fraud and identity theft. Your Apple device is secured by your passcode and you have to be alive to use Touch ID and both alive and attentive to use Face ID.

Third, your card information is never stored on your device nor sent to Apple’s servers. You can only ever view the last four digits of your your actual card number and of the unique one on your device. The actual number lives safely on the Secure Enclave inside. There are a bunch more advantages discussed in this article about how safe Apple Pay is compared to conventional payment methods.

Add Cards to Your Wallet

Apple Pay works with the credit and debit cards you already carry in your wallet. You can add a payment card to your digital wallet using the Wallet app on iPhone, in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad, in the Wallet & Apple Pay section of the Apple Watch app, or in the Wallet & Apple Pay pane of System Preferences on a Mac.

You can capture most of the card details using your device’s camera or enter them manually if you prefer. Enter the security code, agree to the terms, and you’re probably done. (Some accounts may require a phone call with your bank or other verification.)

If you have more than one card, you can then select a default card and specify other transaction defaults. You can also use your iPhone to confirm payments on your nearby Mac if your Mac doesn’t natively support Apple Pay.

Quick Authentication

With iPhone or Apple Watch, look for a symbol like the one above on payment terminals, indicating they support contactless payment. When you double-click the Home Button or Side Button of your mobile device, your wallet appears with your default card ready to go. Or, look for Apple Pay as a payment method on a website when using Safari.

iPhone and iPad immediately look for your finger or face, using Touch ID or Face ID, respectively—or your passcode as a fallback—to authenticate use of a given card. Apple Watch authenticates instantly if it is on your wrist and unlocked.

Note: If you’re wearing a mask and using iPhone 11 or older, make sure to drop it below your nose first so Face ID will get enough of a view. Face ID on iPhone 12 and newer supports Face ID with a Mask, which you can set up in Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

At a payment terminal, once you’ve authenticated, touch your iPhone or Apple Watch to the terminal. On a website, verify the details of the transaction and double-click the indicated button to confirm. In all cases, listen for a sound effect that indicates a successful transaction. The whole interaction takes just a few seconds.

When you set up a new iPhone or iPad, you may choose not to set up Apple Pay right away. Initially, you’ll get a badge on the Settings app that invites you to set up Apple Pay. If this bugs you and you truly prefer not use the feature, tap Set Up Apple Pay and then tap Set Up Later.

So, what’s stopping you from setting up Apple Pay? Seriously!