Grab has enabled Tap to Pay on iPhone for its merchant-partners in Singapore, allowing them to accept in-person contactless payments using only an iPhone and the Grab Merchant iOS app.

With Tap to Pay on iPhone, merchants can accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets without additional hardware or payment terminals. The feature uses near-field communication (NFC) technology built into the iPhone to complete transactions securely.

Simplifying in-person contactless payments

At checkout, merchants prompt customers to hold their contactless card or device near the merchant’s iPhone, and the payment is completed within seconds. Grab said the process is designed to be simple to set up and easy to use, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.

Merchants can enable Tap to Pay on iPhone through the Grab Merchant iOS app on an iPhone XS or later running the latest version of iOS. Grab said contactless payment acceptance can be unlocked within minutes.

The launch adds to Grab’s suite of merchant payment tools in Singapore, where contactless and mobile payments have become widely adopted across food and retail businesses.

Security and privacy built in

Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the iPhone’s built-in security and privacy features to protect both merchants and customers. According to Apple, card numbers and transaction information are not stored on the device or on Apple servers.

This means sensitive payment data remains private, reducing risks associated with data storage and handling during in-person transactions.

“Merchants today often juggle multiple systems and devices just to accept payments, which can be confusing — and for smaller businesses, even costly,” said Julianne Heng, Regional Head of Payments at Grab.

“By working with Apple, we’re offering a simpler and more cost-efficient way for merchants of all sizes to accept contactless payments using just the Grab Merchant app on their iPhone. This is part of our ongoing commitment to make day-to-day operations easier, so our merchant-partners can spend less time managing tools and more time growing their business,” she added.

Growing demand for device-based payments

Singapore has seen a steady shift towards device-based payment acceptance, as merchants look to reduce hardware costs and streamline operations. Tap-on-phone solutions have gained traction globally, particularly among small businesses and pop-up retailers.

Grab’s move aligns with broader industry trends as payment providers and smartphone makers expand software-based point-of-sale options across Asia.

Grab said Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to its merchant-partners in Singapore using supported iPhone models.