Apple Wallet

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Apple Wallet:

PayPal and Venmo credit/debit cards now work with Apple Wallet, Apple Pay

By

Add your PayPal or Venmo credit or debit cards to Apple Wallet for use with Apple Pay.
Add your PayPal or Venmo credit or debit cards to Apple Wallet for use with Apple Pay.
Photo: PayPal

If you use Apple Wallet and Apple Pay, now you can add your PayPal and Venmo credit and debit cards to the mix for easy payment on the go using iPhone or Apple Watch, PayPal said Wednesday.

This follows a previous PayPal announcement in November 2022 and some testing earlier this year.

Split up payments with Apple Pay Later

By

Give me my money! (In four scheduled installments)
Instead of paying once, you have the pleasure of paying four times! (But a little less.)
Image: DigiGal DZiner/Wikimedia Commons/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

You can split up a big purchase across four smaller payments using Apple Pay Later. Unlike other similar services like Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm, there’s no interest — you pay the exact same amount of money as if you were purchasing at once.

Payments are expected every two weeks, matching the most common paycheck schedule in the United States. It’s easy to use and transparent about what you’ll pay when; it couldn’t be more straightforward.

Even Tim Cook’s Apple Card application got rejected

By

Tim Cook has plenty of money, so that couldn't be the reason.
Tim Cook has plenty of money, so that couldn't be the reason.
Image: Canva

Not just anyone qualifies for a new Apple Card — including Apple CEO Tim Cook, according to a new report. The Goldman Sachs underwriting system apparently rejected his application a while back.

Amid reports lately that Goldman is losing money on its deal with Apple, and the two might part ways, it almost sounded like payback. But that’s not it.

When will your state let you add your ID to Apple Wallet?

By

Georgia becomes latest state to support driver’s license in Apple Wallet
Four states, most recently Georgia, are fully on board.
Image: Georgia Department of Driver Services

When will you be able to add your driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone? In the United States, it varies by where you live. It’s not up to Apple: Each state and territory maintains a completely independent registry of drivers and identification cards, so each one must independently pass legislation and implement digital IDs.

If you live in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia or Maryland, you can do it today. (Our guide will show you how to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet.) Otherwise, check our map and lists below to see how likely your state is to let you add your ID to Apple Wallet, and when it might happen.

How to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet

By

How to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet
Some states allow iPhone users to put their driver's license on their iPhone. Here's how.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

In several U.S. states, Apple’s digital ID initiative enables iPhones and Apple Watch to hold a digital copy of the user’s driver’s license, in the same way these devices store credit cards and airline tickets.

Here’s what you need to know to add your driver’s license and ID to the Wallet app.

Use iPhone as house key with new Level smart lock

By

The Level Lock+ is available at some Apple Store locations.
The Level Lock+ is available at some Apple Store locations.
Photo: @James_dombro, twitter.com

Some Apple Store locations began stocking the exclusive new Level Lock+ last week, letting users open their door locks with their iPhone or Apple Watch via digital keys. And now you can get it online, too.

The functionality takes advantage of the change in iOS 15 last year adding support for home keys in Wallet. It uses NFC radio technology to let an iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock open it.

Class-action lawsuit claims Apple Pay blocks competition

By

The lawsuit alleges that Apple Pay blocks the competition from tap-to-pay.
The lawsuit alleges that Apple Pay blocks the competition from tap-to-pay.
Photo: Apple

Apple violates U.S. antitrust law by making sure Apple Pay is the only e-wallet way to tap to pay via an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, a new class-action lawsuit filed Monday alleges.

The complaint says Apple profits illegally to the tune of $1 billion a year or more by blocking competitors like Google Pay and Samsung Pay from offering tap-to-pay transactions on Apple devices.

EU may soon force Apple to open iPhone NFC to other payment services

By

Apple Pay Tap-to-Pay
iPhone users might soon be able to use tap-to-pay with non-Apple payment systems. In the EU, anyway.
Photo: Apple

The European Union reportedly plans to accuse Apple of violating the law by limiting access to the iPhone’s NFC capabilities to the company’s own payment system. The goal is to give rival systems like PayPal access to the iPhone’s convenient tap-to-pay function.

Apple claims the limitation is there to protect users’ financial information. The EU calls it anticompetitive.

Did Apple accidentally give us a sneak peek at iOS 16?

By

Did Apple accidentally give us a sneak peek at iOS 16? What the heck is that weird menu in the Apple Wallet app screenshot?
What the heck is that?
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Look closely and you’ll see something odd in an image Apple used to publicize the iPhone’s new digital driver’s licenses. In the upper corner of the Wallet app, where there should be a back arrow, instead there’s what looks like a fancy version of a “hamburger” menu button.

It’s possible the image was taken off a device running a prerelease version of iOS 16, and includes a change coming in the next iPhone operating system.

Or it might be only a glitch, and we’re trying too hard to see what Apple has planned.

Apple Wallet’s digital driver’s licenses and IDs go live in Arizona

By

Apple Wallet digital IDs
A whole bunch of other states will also add support.
Image: Apple

Apple on Wednesday confirmed that digital driver’s licenses and IDs are now available inside the Wallet app in Arizona. Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico have also pledged their support.

Cupertino first announced its latest Wallet upgrade at WWDC 2021 last June. This is the first time it has been made available to iPhone users.

Apple’s new Tap to Pay feature lets iPhone accept contactless payments

By

iPhone Tap to Pay
It will be available only in the U.S. initially.
Photo: Apple

Apple will give iPhone the ability to accept contactless payments without additional hardware later this year, the company confirmed Tuesday.

The feature, which Apple calls “Tap to Pay,” initially will be available to merchants in the United States who use a “partner-enabled iOS app.” The company says Tap to Pay will “empower millions” to use their iPhones to seamlessly accept payments.

About those Apple VR headset renders … [The CultCast]

By

CultCast podcast: About those Apple VR headset renders ...
Looks pretty slick, but would you wear one?
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: New renders give us an even better vision of what Apple’s mixed-reality headset might look like. We’re still not convinced we’ll be wondering around with these things strapped to our heads — especially if they cost $3,000. However, we must admit that the concept art by Ian Zelbo does look pretty cool.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Your Apple Wallet might get you on a plane next year.
  • An AirTags Christmas miracle.
  • An unfortunate darts disaster.
  • More picks for Gear of the Year!

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

These are the first states adopting driver’s licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet

By

Driver's licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet
Arizona and Georgia will be first, followed by six others.
Photo: Apple

Apple on Wednesday confirmed the first states that will adopt digital driver’s licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet. Residents of Arizona and Georgia will be able to take advantage of the feature first, with six other states to follow.

The Transportation Security Administration will enable select security checkpoints and lanes at participating airports as the first locations customers can use their driver’s license or state ID in Wallet, Apple added.

Cupertino plans ‘buy now, pay later’ offering called ‘Apple Pay Later’

By

A planned new service will give you more options to pay over time.
A planned new service will give you more options to pay over time.
Photo: Apple

Apple and its Apple Card partner, Goldman Sachs, plan to launch a new pay-in-installments service for all Apple Pay purchases reportedly known internally as “Apple Pay Later.” It resembles other “buy now, pay later” offerings from companies like Affirm Holdings and PayPal.

In iOS 15, the Wallet app will store your driver’s license and house keys

By

The Wallet app will soon let you board a plane with your iPhone rather than a physical drivers license.
The Wallet app will soon let you board a plane with your iPhone rather than a physical drivers license.
Photo: Apple

During its WWDC keynote presentation Monday, Apple showed off updates to the iPhone Wallet app in iOS 15 that may finally let it replace your actual wallet.

In addition to securely storing credit cards and discount codes, soon it will serve as a key to many locks as well as a virtual driver’s license.

Apple could be cashing into cryptocurrency

By

Apple could be cashing into cryptocurrency
Apple is exploring alternative payment systems, and the magic word “cryptocurrency” came up.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

A job opening at Apple for an “Alternative Payments” business manager set off a wave of speculation that the iPhone-maker is getting into cryptocurrency.

It’s apparently a change of heart by CEO Tim Cook, who’s on the record as being opposed to privately controlled currencies.

iOS 13.6 beta confirms that iPhones will work as car keys

By

iPhone car key feature is a rumor no more.
No room for doubt. iOS 13.6 Beta 2 flat out says Apple Wallet is getting virtual car keys.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple inadvertently confirmed rumors that iPhones will soon function as car keys. Buried in the privacy information for Apple Wallet in the iOS 13.6 Beta is a lengthy description of the upcoming feature.

Called “Adding and Managing Car Keys,” the verbiage details how wireless keys can be added to Wallet and how they can be shared.

Here’s the quickest way to tidy up your Apple Wallet

By

Keeping your Apple Wallet passes as souvenirs? Don't bother.
Keeping your Apple Wallet passes as souvenirs? Don't bother.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

My real wallet is a shrine to minimalism. A bit of cash, a few cards, and zero old receipts or spent metro tickets. I keep it slimline, even with the aggressively European coin pocket included therein. My Apple Wallet, on the other hand, is as cluttered as the horizontal surfaces in my mother’s house, covered as they are with crystal animals, photo frames and lace doilies.

The problem is twofold. First, Apple Wallet never gets thicker, no matter how many cinema tickets and boarding passes you stuff in there. Second, how do you remove all those passes anyway? One at a time, with a swipe and a tap and a confirmation for each? No thanks.

Fortunately, there’s a (slightly) quicker way.

Apple Card is as friendly as a credit card can be [Review]

By

Apple Card
Everything about the Apple Card is well designed, even the package it comes in.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A credit card is a departure from Apple’s usual computers and accessories, but the Apple Card is just as gorgeous and the associated software every bit as easy to use as an iPhone or Mac.

I’m among the first cardholders, so here’s what it’s like to carry an Apple Card.

iOS 12.3 beta 4 arrives with fresh fixes for iPhone and iPad [Updated]

By

The Apple TV app gets a raft of new features in iOS 12.3.
The Apple TV app gets a raft of new features in iOS 12.3.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple seeded the fourth beta of iOS 12.3 to developers this morning, just one week after the last beta was released. iOS 12.3 beta 4 brings with it a number of changes for iPhone and iPad, including changes to the Apple TV app, Wallet app tweaks and tons of bug fixes.

Update: The public can now also download iOS 12.3 beta 4, allowing anyone to test out the new features.