Yoco has launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in South Africa, introducing a new way for small businesses to accept contactless payments without the need for additional hardware. The feature allows merchants to use only an iPhone and the Yoco App to process in-person transactions.
The rollout is aimed at making payments more flexible and accessible for independent businesses, especially those that operate in fast-paced environments or on the move. It removes the need for traditional card machines and shifts the point of sale directly onto a smartphone.
Simpler payments at the point of sale
With Tap to Pay on iPhone, merchants can now accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets directly through their iPhone. At checkout, the merchant prompts the customer to hold their contactless payment method near the device. The transaction is then completed securely using NFC technology.
The system also supports PIN entry, including accessibility features, making it usable for a wide range of customers. This ensures that both speed and inclusivity are considered at the point of payment.
Merchants using an iPhone XS or later, running the latest version of iOS, can begin accepting payments within minutes through the Yoco App, available on the Apple App Store.
According to Yoco Co-Founder and Co-CEO Lungisa Matshoba, the collaboration is designed to support small business growth by reducing friction in how they operate. “At Yoco, we proudly build products designed to lower the barriers for independent businesses to thrive. We do this by removing friction and giving business owners greater control over how they sell. This collaboration with Apple to bring Tap to Pay on iPhone to the Yoco app, is a great way to further fuel entrepreneurship in South Africa,” he said.
Security, accessibility and the shift toward mobile-first commerce
Security remains central to the new payment method. Apple’s Tap to Pay on iPhone uses the built-in security and privacy features of iPhone to protect transaction data. Apple does not store card numbers or transaction details on the device or on its servers, ensuring that sensitive information is not retained.
The feature supports contactless payments from major networks, including Mastercard and Visa, with American Express expected to be added soon. It also works with Apple Pay and other digital wallets, broadening access for customers who prefer digital payment methods.
The launch in South Africa forms part of a wider ecosystem rollout involving Apple and payment partners. Apple is working with developers and payment platforms to integrate Tap to Pay into iOS applications, allowing businesses of all sizes to accept payments without additional hardware.
In South Africa, Yoco and iStore Pay are among the first platforms to offer the feature. This positions them at the forefront of a growing shift toward mobile-first payment systems in the country.
Yoco, which supports more than 200,000 small businesses, has built its platform around payments, point-of-sale tools, software and business services designed for independent merchants. Founded in 2015, the company continues to expand its offerings as digital commerce becomes more central to everyday trade.
The introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone reflects a broader trend in the SME sector where smartphones are increasingly replacing traditional point-of-sale systems. For many small businesses, this reduces upfront costs, simplifies operations and allows them to accept payments wherever they do business.
As mobile payment adoption grows, the line between business and device continues to blur, with the smartphone increasingly becoming the main checkout point for modern commerce.
