iPhone 6 owners have only started using Apple Pay to buy items at local stores, but Apple is looking to expand the technology behind its mobile payments system to eventually replace everything from building security cards, subway passes, and bus tickets.
Apple representatives have reportedly been talking to potential partners about using the iPhone 6’s NFC for other uses, reports The Information, with the aim to replace all the tickets and passes you carry in your wallet too.
The Apple representatives have talked to technology providers like HID Global and Cubic, which enable secure access to buildings and transit fare systems, respectively, said people briefed on the discussions. Spokespeople for the companies declined to comment about any discussions with Apple, but executives there discussed how they could integrate their systems with the iPhone.
Apple added NFC to the iPhone 6 after years of speculation that it would need the tech for mobile payments. Access to the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus NFC chips has been closed off from developers, but sources at Apple have informed Cult of Mac that access could be opened up to exclusive partners and eventually all developers in the future.
By giving partners access to the iPhone’s NFC, cards could be uploaded to your Passbook the same way credit cards are added, with key info stored in the secure element. Users could then tap phones at NFC-equiped transit turnstiles to pay for a ride on public systems like San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system.
Apple is also adding NFC to the Apple Watch, which will support Apple Pay as well when it launches in early 2015.
Source: The Information
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
5 responses to “Apple wants to replace transit passes with iPhone 6’s NFC”
I think it would be cool to connect NFC with ATMs (if they could find a way to do it). Wouldn’t it be cool to configure your cash withdrawal on your iPhone, then go up to an ATM, tap your phone to it, scan your print, and get your cash, without having to pull out your bank card, insert it, and enter a password? Just a thought . . .
Great idea, tell Tim cook that!
Yes please! Also it would be good to be able to pay friends to debit and credit bank accounts.
I think you mean BART, not BATS :) Bay Area Rapid Transit.
I believe they’ll be testing this in DC starting in January (along with non-apple NFC devices).