Apple Pay officially launched in the Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 4, allowing users to link eligible locally issued debit and credit cards to their iPhone or Apple Watch for contactless payments.
Visa confirmed the rollout, while Union Bank of the Philippines activated a dedicated Apple Pay page for its customers. GoTyme Bank PH, Metrobank and Chinabank PH were among the first local institutions supporting selected cards. Availability depends on the issuing bank, card type and payment network.
Cardholders may add eligible cards through Apple Wallet and complete their bank’s verification process. Once activated, Apple Pay can be used at compatible contactless terminals, as well as for supported purchases in apps and on websites.
Transactions require Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode. apple says actual card numbers are not shared with merchants or stored on its servers. Payments instead use a device-specific account number and a unique security code.
The launch follows Google Pay’s arrival in November 2025 and expands mobile tap-to-pay options in the country. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ng Pilipinas earlier classified Apple Pay and Google Pay as technology service providers because they do not directly hold or transfer customer funds.
Apple had not yet updated its regional support directory to include Philippine banks as of the launch. Users were advised to confirm card eligibility directly with their bank.
