Apple is preparing to grant developers direct access to the iPhone’s contactless payment hardware for the first time, a move that could transform phones into customizable digital wallets for corporate badges, transit passes, loyalty cards, and more. The capability will arrive with iOS 18.1 this fall, the company announced, significantly expanding how third-party apps can use near-field communication (NFC) technology.
Until now, the iPhone’s NFC chip and Secure Element—a certified hardware component that stores sensitive data—have been largely restricted to Apple’s own services, such as Apple Pay and student ID integration. Starting with the update, approved developers in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Japan, Brazil, and New Zealand will be able to build apps that emulate contactless cards, allowing users to tap their iPhone for payments, building access, or ticket validation without opening an app.
“This turns the iPhone into a truly programmable contactless device,” said a developer briefed on the change. “A bank could issue a virtual card that works directly from their own app, or a company could deploy digital employee badges that work with existing door readers.”
To ensure security, Apple will require developers to enter a commercial agreement and request a special entitlement to use the NFC and Secure Element APIs. Transactions will continue to be authenticated via biometrics like Face ID or Touch ID, with cryptographic keys protected in the Secure Enclave. Apple will also charge a fee for the entitlement, though pricing details were not disclosed.
The shift follows increasing regulatory pressure in Europe, where Apple recently committed to opening NFC access to third-party payment providers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). While the initial developer rollout targets select countries outside the EU, it signals Apple’s broader strategy to flexibly adapt its closed hardware systems in response to developer demand and regulatory environments.
For developers, the move unlocks a range of possibilities—from car keys and transit cards to customized retail payment systems. Apple has published guidelines for designing NFC-integrated apps and requesting API access ahead of the iOS 18.1 release.
As iPhones increasingly replace physical wallets, Apple’s decision to share its tap-to-pay infrastructure marks one of the most significant openings of its core hardware capabilities in years—and a new frontier for app innovation.
