The Tap to Pay on iPhone feature is an integrated option developed by Apple to accept payments. We have decided to activate it with the Qonto app so that you can receive card payments directly from your iPhone, without needing an additional card reader.
Here are the steps to set up and use Tap to Pay on iPhone
Who can use Tap to Pay on iPhone?
- Currently available for all pricing plans.
- Transaction fees are as follows:
- From 1.2% for Basic plans, and 0.8% for Premium plans on consumer cards in the EU zone
- 2.6% for other cards and outside the EU zone
What do I need to use Tap to Pay on iPhone?
- An iPhone XS or a more recent model
- iOS version 18.0 or later is required
- An Internet connection is necessary
With the iPhone, you can now accept contactless payments. We recommend making a first transaction with your own card to test Tap to Pay on iPhone and locate the NFC area of your iPhone.
How does Tap to Pay on iPhone work?
- Open the Qonto app on your iPhone
- Tap on the Tap To Pay shortcut and enter the amount to charge
- Present your iPhone to the person who wishes to pay
- Your customer holds their device or card horizontally, above the contactless symbol that appears on the upper part of your iPhone, for a few seconds
- Once the card is read and the transaction is initiated, a checkmark accompanied by the OK message will appear on the screen
- For certain card transactions (especially in the case of an amount €50), the customer will need to enter their PIN on the iPhone screen
- Send a receipt immediately after the transaction by SMS or email
⛔️ Currently, Tap to Pay on iPhone accepts Visa and Mastercard payments. American Express payments are not yet supported by Qonto, but we are evaluating their integration based on user needs.
Remember that receipts must be sent immediately after payment, it will not be possible to send receipts for previous payments. You can view all your payments in real time in "Tap to Pay on iPhone", whether they are successful, pending or settled on your Qonto account.
We recommend "enabling biometric authentication" (fingerprint or facial recognition) for faster access to Tap to Pay on iPhone and smoother transactions.
Are there any transaction limits?
Minimum: €0.10, Maximum: €100,000. For certain card transactions (especially in the case of an amount €50), the customer will need to enter their PIN on the iPhone screen.
Are there any restrictions on who can use Tap to Pay on iPhone?
Yes. To comply with legal, regulatory, and risk-related requirements from our payment partner, some business activities are not eligible to use Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:
- Sales of regulated or banned substances (e.g. tobacco, CBD, vaping products, pharmaceuticals, or alcohol without proper licensing)
- Adult entertainment and services (e.g. massage parlors, strip clubs, escort services, adult content sales)
- Unregulated or high-risk health and wellness services (e.g. aesthetic treatments without medical certification, IV therapy, unauthorized supplements)
- Cash-intensive businesses or those subject to stricter regulatory oversight
- Gambling, betting, or lottery-related activities (including fantasy sports or games of skill with prizes)
- Crypto, forex, and other high-risk financial services (e.g. crypto exchanges, forex trading, payday loans)
- Resale of mobile phones, electronics, or counterfeit goods
If you can access the in-person payment menu in your Qonto app, your business is eligible. If not, it likely means your activity is restricted.
Need help? You contact the customer service and we’ll gladly check your eligibility.
What about refunds?
Not immediately available via the app. Managed manually by Qonto support. Plan for alternative methods if necessary.
When will payments appear in my Qonto account?
Payments are credited the next business day as a single deposit, with detailed statements included.
My Tap to Pay transaction was declined, what should I do?
When a transaction fails, several factors may be the cause. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you determine the source of the decline and advise your customer.
1. Checking NFC reading on your iPhone
- Incorrect card position
Verify that your customer is holding their device or card horizontally, above the contactless symbol that appears on the upper part of your iPhone.
If the card is still not read, ask the customer to slide the card to center the chip directly over the device's notch.
- Reading timeout
Reading too quickly or not holding the card long enough can cause a timeout. Ask your customer to hold the card for a few seconds.
2. Checking card information
- Unsupported card
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted. If possible, ask your customer to use a compatible card.
- Contactless payment disabled
The contactless payment function may not be activated on the customer's card. Advise your customer to check their banking app or contact their bank to ensure that contactless payments are enabled on their card.
- Issuer decline
The customer's bank may block the transaction (issuer decline) for various reasons, one of which may be insufficient balance. Suggest to your customer to check their balance and/or contact their bank for more information.
- Damaged card
If the contactless card is still not read and the interface doesn't display any message, the card's antenna may be damaged or the card may not work for contactless payments.