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Banks with Apple Pay in Ireland

Check if your bank offers Apple Pay and learn how to use the digital wallet to make contactless purchases.

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Alison Banney
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Apple Pay lets you make contactless purchases in-store or online using just your iPhone or Apple device. Learn how it works, how to set it up and how it compares to other digital wallet solutions in this guide, plus see a comprehensive list of the Irish banks that currently offer Apple Pay.

Banks that offer Apple Pay in Ireland

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a digital wallet that securely stores your debit or credit card information within the app. It can replace your physical debit card, meaning you can go out with just your phone and still make purchases. You can use the app to make contactless payments in-store and online using just your iPhone or Apple device, such as an Apple Watch.

How does it work?

In simple terms, Apple Pay is a digital version of your existing wallet. By downloading Apple Pay, you can make purchases with your phone by tapping the terminal in the same way that you’d use your debit card to make a contactless payment. Because all your card information is securely stored within the app, it’s very similar to using your physical debit card to tap and go.

To get a bit more technical, Apple Pay uses a near-field-communication (NFC) chip within your smartphone or Apple device to connect to a terminal in replace of your debit card. This chip communicates to a merchant’s point of sale payment terminal and enables the payment to be processed in the same way that a debit card works. This process all happens within seconds of tapping your smartphone or Apple device on the terminal.

How to set up Apple Pay

Setting up Apple Pay is much easier than you’d think. You just need to follow these two simple steps:

  1. Ensure you have an eligible device and debit card. You’ll first need to make sure you have an eligible phone (iPhone 6 generation or above) as well as an eligible debit card from a participating bank.
  2. Add your card. Go to Wallet within your iPhone and click the blue plus sign to add a new card. Add in your card security details, and your bank will verify your details. Once this has been verified, your card will appear within the Wallet and you can start using Apple Pay.

How do I use Apple Pay?

In order to verify the transaction, you’ll be required to use your fingerprint or face ID when making payments with Apple Pay. Just like the simple set-up process, this is less complicated than it sounds. If you’re using an iPhone 8 or earlier device, you need to open the Wallet, rest your finger on the Touch ID reader (the middle button on your phone) and hover your phone above the payment terminal. The payment will be made with your default card unless you select to use another.

Face ID on iPhone X works in a similar way, except instead of using your fingerprint you need to double-click the side button on your phone then look at the Face ID symbol on the screen. Your phone will register that it’s you, and then enable you to make a payment by again hovering your phone above the contactless terminal. This may sound fiddly and complicated, but it actually only takes a couple of seconds in total.

How much do banks charge to use Apple Pay?

Using your bank card through Apple Pay will cost you the same as if you used the actual card contactlessly. At the moment only Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland charge you for contactless payments in stores (1 cent), but it’s always best to double check any charges with your bank.

If you use Apple Pay ‘in app’ to pay for something online, your bank will also apply its normal card transaction fee. And if you’re in a non-Euro country your bank will charge its usual card fees for Apple Pay purchases in non Euro currencies.

Is it safe?

Yes. Apple Pay uses a number specific to your device in combination with a unique transaction code when you make a purchase. This means that your debit card details, such as the card number and expiry date, aren’t actually stored on your device or by Apple. Plus, you need to use Touch ID or enter a PIN number each time you make a payment with Apple Pay.

In many ways, it’s actually safer than using your physical debit card to make purchases. You can easily misplace your debit card or leave it visible for people to copy the card number. However, most people need to enter a PIN number to unlock their smartphone, or even require their own fingerprint to unlock their phone. On top of this, you’re required to use Touch ID, Face ID or enter a PIN when making a payment.

How do I use Apple Pay on my Apple Watch?

With an Apple Watch you don’t even need your phone to make purchases, so you can travel even lighter. So, for example, if you’re going for a run and don’t want to have to carry your phone with you, you can still buy a post-run coffee.

To use Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, you’ll first need to add your card to the watch. You can do this via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Once your card is successfully added, you can use your Apple Watch to make purchases. You need to double-click the side button on the watch and hover the screen above the EFTPOS terminal. You’ll feel a slight tap or vibration, meaning that your purchase has been successful.

Compare debit cards with Apple Pay

Data updated regularly
Name Product Maintenance fee Fee period ATM transaction fee Mobile payments
N26 Bank Account
N26 Bank Account
€0
Monthly
€2 per withdrawal
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Benefit from no monthly fee, no currency conversion fees and a raft of in-app budgeting features to help you save.
Go to site
More Info
bunq easyMoney Personal
bunq easyMoney Personal
€7.99
Monthly
€0.99 per withdrawal
Apple Pay, Google Pay, FitBit Pay
A card linked to up to 25 individual IBAN accounts. Earn interest on all money in your account and benefit from competitive rates and fees.
Go to site
More Info
Wise Multicurrency Account
Wise Multicurrency Account
€0
Monthly
€0.50 + 1.75% per withdrawal
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is an international account with over 50 currencies, instant and very convenient money transfers, a card to spend in any currency, bank details to be paid in 30 different countries and multi-currency direct debits.
Go to site
More Info
Revolut Standard
Revolut Standard
€0
Monthly
€1 + 2% per withdrawal
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Enjoy no monthly fee, no currency conversion fees up to €1,000 per month and hold an array of currencies in your account.
Go to site
More Info
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