Apple Cash will soon give shoppers everything they need to make purchases online. Starting with iOS 17.4, a debit card number can be created for the financial service, along with the usual associated details.
This will be a boon for those who depend on the digital payment system, especially teenagers.
Apple Cash will soon become a virtual debit card
Apple Cash can be used to make payments from an iPhone to stores, websites and apps via Apple Pay. It’s similar to a prepaid debit card, but entirely digital.
Currently, it can be used for online shopping, but only with websites that have been set up specifically to accept Apple Pay. That’s about to change.
Those testing the iOS 17.4 beta noticed that the Apple Cash section of the Apple Wallet application added a “Set Up Virtual Card Number” option.
“Keep your card information safe with a new security code for every transaction,” says the app. “Easily access this card number in Safari AutoFill and use it to shop online where Apple Pay is not available.”
Choose the option, and the app generates all the details needed for online transactions, including a debit card number, expiration date and security code (CVV). The latter can be changed whenever the user wishes. The virtual card shows up as a Visa.
The upcoming change will allow Apple Cash to be used anywhere online that debit cards are taken. Which will make the service more useful than it is now. It’ll be closer to a prepaid version of Apple Card.
That’s especially handy for teenagers and kids who get an allowance from their parents that goes directly into Apple Cash.
Please stand by
The Set Up Virtual Card Number option is a feature of Apple Cash in the Apple Wallet application in iOS 17.4, which is not yet available.
That version is in testing, however. Cult of Mac tested the new feature and it already works as expected, even in the prerelease software.
iOS 17.4 is expected to be released in March, and bring a long list of other significant improvements.
