Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) review
Not a hardware terminal, but covered here because it replaces one for many small businesses. Take contactless card and Apple Pay payments directly on a compatible iPhone with no separate reader. Best fit for trades, mobile beauty and pop-up retail.
At a glance
- Manufacturer
- Apple (multiple acquirers)
- Acquirer
- The payment provider you sign up with
- Form factor
- Software on an iPhone Xs or later, no separate terminal
- Contract
- No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider
How Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) works
Tap to Pay on iPhone turns an iPhone Xs or later into a contactless card reader through your payment provider's app. Apple's UK page names Revolut, SumUp, Viva, myPOS, Square, PayPal Zettle, lopay and Dojo among the providers that offer it.
Cards are read at the device, the transaction is authorised through your provider, and funds settle to your nominated UK bank account on that provider's schedule. The pricing table below shows the rate and contract.
Your payment provider processes the card payments, but you are still the merchant. The contract sets your PCI DSS obligations and your liability for chargebacks, so read those terms before you sign.
Pricing breakdown
| Cost component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup / hardware cost | £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone) |
| Transaction rate | Set by the provider you use it with; see that provider's own pricing page |
| Monthly fee | Set by your provider; confirm with them |
| Contract length | No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider |
| Exit fee | Set by your provider; confirm with them |
Verify pricing directly with your provider before signing. UK card-acceptance pricing varies by sector, ticket size and processing volume. Source: Apple Tap to Pay on iPhone (UK), checked 2026-10-02.
Hardware and software
- Form factor: Software on an iPhone Xs or later, no separate terminal.
- Connectivity: Cellular or WiFi via the iPhone.
- Card schemes accepted depend on your acquirer.
- Contactless: cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, up to the contactless limit.
- Receipts: digital receipts by SMS or email, with no built-in printer.
- POS integrations: ask the acquirer for its current list.
Tap to Pay support
Status: This is the product itself
Tap to Pay on iPhone turns an iPhone Xs or later into the card reader, so contactless cards and Apple Pay are taken on the phone with no separate terminal (Apple).
Settlement and funds
Settlement is set by the payment provider you use it with, so check that provider's payout page for timing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Zero hardware cost.
- + No separate hardware to buy or set up.
- + Several UK providers support it, so you can pick the rate model that fits.
Cons
- − iPhone Xs or later required.
- − No physical receipt printing.
- − Support and fees depend on the provider you choose.
Best for and avoid if
Best for
- · Mobile traders, dog groomers, mobile beauticians
- · Plumbers, electricians, builders
- · Pop-up and event retail
Avoid if
- · High-volume fixed-location retail
- · Hospitality with table-side ordering needs
FAQs
Does Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) require a contract?
Tap to Pay on iPhone is a feature of your payment provider's app, so any contract is with that provider. Check its terms for fixed terms, exit fees and monthly fees before you sign up.
What does Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) cost in year 1?
Upfront hardware: £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone). Transaction rate: Set by the provider you use it with; see that provider's own pricing page. Contract: No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider. First-year cost depends on your card volume; MerchantHQ's quote tool will model the effective cost against alternatives.
Can I integrate Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) with my till or POS software?
Integration depends on the acquirer and the till software. Ask The payment provider you sign up with for its current list of supported integrations, and confirm your till software is on it before you buy hardware.
How fast does Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) settle funds?
Settlement is set by the payment provider you use it with, so check that provider's payout page for timing.
Can I cancel Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) early?
Yes. As Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) runs without a fixed contract, you can stop processing at any time. Check the acquirer's account-closure policy.
Compare Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
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4 closest UK alternatives, side by side on rate, contract, hardware and trade fit.
Official site: Apple (multiple acquirers)
MerchantHQ is owned and operated by Best Business Loans Ltd, directed by Oliver Mackman. Last updated:
Payments review: Derren Powell, payments and fintech specialist, formerly Vice President, Business Development (Merchants) at Mastercard. Independent reviewer; the MerchantHQ editorial team retains control of the final content.