How to use Apple Pay for App Store and iTunes purchases

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Apple Pay iPhone
Apple Pay finally an option for digital purchases.
Photo: Apple

Apple has finally given us the ability to pay for App Store, iTunes, and Books purchases with Apple Pay.

The company’s own mobile payments system can also be used for Apple Music and iCloud storage subscriptions. Here’s how to set it up.

There are several ways to buy digital content from Apple. You can use your credit or debit card, Apple gift cards, and in many countries, PayPal. After a lengthy wait, there’s now one more.

How to use Apple Pay for digital purchases

Apple Pay is now accepted in a number of markets where the mobile payment system is active. That includes the U.S., Canada, Russia, and Ukraine. It’s not yet available in the United Kingdom.

In the U.S., users can also choose to use Apple Pay Cash, according to an updated support document on Apple’s website.

You can add Apple Pay as a payment option by following these steps:

  1. Ensure you have a credit or debit card linked to Apple Pay
  2. Open Settings and select iTunes & App Store
  3. Select your Apple ID and then tap View Apple ID
  4. Tap Manage Payments then Add Payment Method
  5. Tap the card you want to use in the Found in Wallet list

You don’t need to update your iOS device — this is a server-side change. However, it’s always a good idea to be running the latest version of iOS.

Why you should use Apple Pay

Not only is Apple Pay support incredibly convenient, but there are a number of other benefits, too. It’s more secure than other payment methods, and it lets you quickly switch between the various cards you have linked to the Wallet app.

It’s actually pretty surprising it has taken Apple this long to add Apple Pay as a payment option for digital content.

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