NFC payments and Secure Element: Apple opens the iPhone not only in the EU

Apple had to open its NFC chip integrated into the iPhone to alternative payment services in the European Union due to the corresponding regulation by the European Commission, now this function is also coming to other regions of the world. As the company announced on Wednesday, these are United States, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Brazil and Australia,

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Not just NFC, but also Secure Element

The feature is set to roll out with iOS 18.1, which is expected in October. The beta phase of this operating system is already underway, and the NFC function will be testable in an “upcoming Developer Seed.” “Starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer contactless NFC transactions with Secure Element in their own apps on iPhone, independent of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet,” the company writes.

Apart from the NFC chip, it will also have another API for secure element Give.SE makes it possible to store sensitive data directly on a special chip on the iPhone, which is sealed from the system. Apple has “invested significant resources in developing a solution that protects user security and privacy and leverages a range of Apple’s proprietary hardware and software technologies for contactless transactions,” which is now available to developers.

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Paid services are just an option

In practice, this means that users can either perform contactless transactions in apps using these APIs or generate their own wallet, which can be accessed by a simple double-click on the side button. In addition to payment services, the new NFC and SE APIs can also be used for car keys, public transport systems with NFC support, access cards, hotel keys, loyalty cards, and event tickets. Identity cards will also be added later.

There is, however, one hurdle: developers who want to use NFC and SE must conclude a contract with Apple and issue the appropriate rights and pay “related fees”. How high these are is not initially disclosed. According to Apple, this approach is intended to ensure that users of the interface meet regulatory requirements while complying with Apple’s security and privacy standards.

(B.Sc.)