Apple Pay Now Accepted By All Major U.K. Banks

Apple Pay is now supported by all of the U.K.’s major banks.

Barclays U.K. announced this morning it now supports the digital payment system.

Apple debuted Apple Pay in the U.K. last July with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and MBNA as well as a number of British banks such as NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and Ulster Bank. Retail partners included Boots, Marks & Spencer and Nando’s as well as Transport for London.

In the beginning, some banking executives were reportedly concerned the information collected through Apple Pay could enable an invasion of the banking industry. That said, it was expected all of the major banks would want to be included in the Apple Pay program due to its steadily gaining popularity in the U.K.

The system enables users to pay at check out using an iOS device. It’s similar to using Interac but there is no card involved — just an iPhone.

The payment system has been making headlines in the U.S. since it was first announced back in October 2014.

So far, only those with the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus or an iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 or iPad mini 3 can handle in-app purchases. The newer iPhones and the Apple Watch when paired with an iPhone 5 or later can be used in-store. iPads do not have a NFC chip, so can’t currently be used at stores.

Aside from the U.K. and the U.S., Apple Pay is available in Canada, Australia and China. It is set to launch to Amex cardholders in Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong this year.

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