Apple Pay has become a staple for iPhone users worldwide, offering a seamless way to pay in stores, online, and within apps. Since its launch in 2014, Apple's digital wallet service has evolved from a simple NFC-based payment system into a comprehensive financial platform. With each major iOS update, Apple adds features that deepen integration with banks, retailers, and loyalty programs. The latest announcements, unveiled in the lead-up to iOS 27, introduce four new capabilities designed to make Apple Pay even more convenient and powerful. Here's a detailed look at what's coming.

New Design in iOS 27

One of the most user-facing changes in iOS 27 is a complete overhaul of the Apple Pay checkout interface. The original design, while functional, could feel cluttered when managing multiple cards during a transaction. The new interface introduces a card swiper that lets users quickly flick between their active cards without leaving the checkout screen. Additionally, tapping on a card opens a grid view showing all available Apple Pay cards, including credit, debit, store cards, and rewards cards. This grid provides a quick overview of each card's key information, such as current balance, available credit, rewards points, and pay-later options like Apple Pay Later. The design also improves accessibility by making card details easier to read and interact with for users with visual impairments.

iOS 27 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. The final version will be released to all compatible iPhones this fall, alongside other system enhancements. This redesign is not just cosmetic; it streamlines the checkout flow, reducing the number of taps required to complete a purchase by an average of 30%. Merchants who support Apple Pay in apps and on websites will also benefit from the simplified integration, as the new interface automatically adapts to the context—showing relevant card suggestions based on purchase history or location.

American Express Rewards

Apple has partnered with American Express to bring Membership Rewards points directly into the Apple Pay checkout experience. When shopping online or in apps using an Amex card enrolled in the program, users will see a new "Use Rewards" option. Tapping this displays the user's current points balance and allows them to apply points to cover all or part of the purchase amount, either as a full payment or a partial discount. The conversion rate is set at 0.7 cents per point, meaning 10,000 points are worth $70. This integration simplifies a process that previously required users to redeem points through Amex's own portal or app before making a purchase. Now the entire flow happens within the Apple Pay interface, making it faster and more intuitive.

This feature leverages Amex's open APIs and Apple's Secure Element technology. The redemption confirmation is sent directly to the user's Amex account, and the remaining balance (if any) is charged to the card as usual. Amex cardholders can also view their accumulated points for each card within Apple Wallet, providing a holistic view of their spending power. The partnership is expected to expand to other Amex products, including business cards, later in 2026. This move positions Apple Pay as a more attractive option for travelers and high-spending users who frequently rely on rewards programs.

Tap to Share

Building on the Tap to Pay on iPhone feature that allows merchants to accept contactless payments using only an iPhone, Apple introduces Tap to Share for in-store purchases. This new functionality lets customers tap their iPhone to a participating merchant's iPhone to initiate a personalized shopping experience. Upon tapping, the customer's iPhone securely shares information such as their email address, contact number, shipping address, loyalty rewards membership details, and even shopping preferences—only with the customer's explicit consent. The merchant can then use this information to apply discounts, show basket summaries, and offer tailored recommendations.

Tap to Share also gives customers real-time visibility into their basket during the shopping trip. They can see each item's price, any applied discounts, and the running total on their iPhone screen. This transparency helps ensure that sale items are correctly applied and that no unwanted items are added. Once the customer is satisfied, they can complete the transaction on their iPhone using Apple Pay, bypassing the traditional point-of-sale terminal. The entire communication uses end-to-end encryption and is based on the same NFC technology used for Apple Pay payments. Apple plans to launch Tap to Share this fall, initially with select retail partners in the United States and United Kingdom.

Reload Debit Cards

A long-requested feature is finally arriving: the ability to reload debit cards directly from Apple Pay. Later this year, iPhone users will be able to add funds to a supported debit card through Apple Wallet or during the checkout flow. This functionality is especially useful for those who use prepaid or reloadable debit cards for budgeting, as well as for users whose primary checking account is linked to a debit card that requires top-ups. The reload process integrates with the user's existing bank account or another funding source already stored in Apple Pay, making it a near-instantaneous transfer.

Apple is working with major banks and fintech companies to support this feature. When a user's debit card balance is low, a prompt may appear during checkout offering to reload a preset amount. Users can also set up automatic reload triggers, such as when the balance drops below a certain threshold. This innovation brings Apple Pay closer to being a full-fledged wallet where users can not only spend but also manage their money. It also reduces the friction of having to switch to a banking app to transfer funds before completing a purchase.

These four updates—the iOS 27 redesign, American Express rewards, Tap to Share, and debit card reloads—collectively enhance Apple Pay's utility and appeal. As the service gains traction among both consumers and retailers, Apple continues to refine the experience, making it more competitive with traditional payment methods and other digital wallets. The combination of improved design, rewards integration, personalized in-store shopping, and direct balance management positions Apple Pay as an indispensable tool for millions of users.

Source: 9to5Mac News