Apple Pay set for UK launch in July

Apple has announced that its mobile payments platform Apple Pay is to arrive in the UK by July, with users able to pay using either their phone or Apple smart watch.

At the initial launch, around a quarter of a million locations will accept the use of Apple Pay and it will be supported by the UK’s largest banks and credit card providers.

Boots, BP, Costa Coffee, Marks & Spencer and McDonald’s are among brands which are set to be part of an “exclusive group of early adopters”.

Instead of storing personal details on the phone or watch, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element of a device, with each transaction separately authorised using a one-time code.

“Apple Pay has quickly become a big part of millions of users’ everyday shopping routines, providing a simpler, faster and more secure way to pay,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services.

“We’re thrilled to bring Apple Pay to the UK with support at launch from the most popular banks, an incredible roster of merchants and many of our users’ favourite apps.”

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