Facing pressure from regulators, Apple has decided to open up NFC transactions to third-party developers. This move allows developers to access the iPhone’s NFC capabilities, which were previously exclusive to Apple Pay and Wallet. The European Commission had been investigating Apple for restricting competition in the mobile payments space, leading to this decision to open up NFC technology to third parties in various regions.
Expanding beyond the European market, Apple will now make its new NFC and Secure Element APIs available to developers in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. with more locations to follow. These APIs will be accessible with the iOS 18.1 update.
Developers can now offer competitive Wallet products and apps with in-app contactless transactions, such as in-store payments, car keys, transit passes, loyalty cards, and more. However, developers must agree to Apple’s terms and pay associated fees to gain access to these APIs, indicating that this service is not free of charge.
With this expanded access, developers are expected to innovate and enhance their apps, while others may create new applications to take advantage of this functionality. By opening up NFC access to developers, Apple is staying ahead of potential regulatory issues and fostering creativity within the mobile payments ecosystem.
