The short answer
Often, yes. Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android let a business accept contactless cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets on the phone itself, with no extra terminal. iPhone needs an XS or later and a supported payment app. Square supports both and lists them among its ways to take payments without buying hardware.
What Is Tap to Pay for Businesses?
It turns the phone into the card reader. Apple describes Tap to Pay on iPhone as a way to "accept in‑person, contactless payments with just an iPhone," with "no extra terminals or hardware" needed. Customers can pay with "debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets."
Tap to Pay on Android does the same on a compatible Android phone. On both, the payment runs through a payment app such as Square's, which sets the rates and deposits the money.
Which Phones Work?
On Apple, Tap to Pay on iPhone "requires iPhone Xs or later," a supported payment app and the latest version of iOS.
On Android, Square's setup steps call for Android 9 or higher with NFC and contactless payments turned on and developer options turned off. Square says Tap to Pay on Android is not compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S8, S9 and Note 9, and on Square for Restaurants it works only on the Samsung A32 5G and A13.
What Does Tap to Pay Cost?
There is no reader to buy. The cost is the processing rate. Square lists Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android among the ways to take payments without hardware, and publishes in-person rates for tap, dip or swipe payments of 2.6% + 15¢, with lower published rates of 2.5% and 2.4% + 15¢ on other Square plans.
See how Square compares with Clover if you are choosing a system, or the system we set up by business type.
What Are the Limits?
Tap to Pay takes contactless payments only, and a few rules apply on Android.
- Square's Tap to Pay on Android works in Square Point of Sale, Square Restaurants POS, Square Appointments and Square Invoices.
- It has a per-transaction limit of $50,000 for contactless payments and $10,000 for physical contactless cards.
- It is not supported for offline payments.
- Apple notes some contactless cards may not be accepted by your payment app, and transaction limits may apply.
When Does a Business Still Want a Terminal?
When the phone is doing too many jobs. Tap to Pay suits a food truck at a festival, a barber at the chair, a pop-up or a second line on a busy day. A counter with a steady line, a printer and a cash drawer usually runs better on a dedicated terminal.
BatchOut sets up either one, with hardware free for qualifying volume, leased or bought outright. See the setups for food trucks and barbershops.
Commonly Asked Questions
Does Tap to Pay on iPhone accept Apple Pay?
Yes. Apple says customers can pay with debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets.
Do I need a card reader to take payments with Square?
No. Square lists invoicing, payment links, its virtual terminal, Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android as ways to take payments without hardware.
Does Tap to Pay on Android work offline?
No. Square says Tap to Pay on Android is not supported with offline payments.
Which iPhone do I need for Tap to Pay?
An iPhone XS or later, running the latest iOS, with a payment app that supports Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Sources
Keep reading