Apple Pay Responsible for Two of Every Three Contactless Payments on Visa, MasterCard, and American Express

Since its introduction in October, Apple Pay has accounted for two of every three dollars spent through contactless payments on Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook who shared the information during the company's earnings call for the first fiscal quarter of 2015.

"Apple Pay is off to a very strong start," said Cook, adding that he expects 2015 to be "the year of Apple Pay." About 750 banks and credit unions have signed on to accept Apple Pay, and according to numbers shared by Cook, Apple Pay was responsible for 80 percent of mobile payments at Panera Bread, and at Whole Foods, mobile payments increased by 400 percent.

applepaytouchid
Earlier information has also pointed to Apple Pay's success. Apple Pay had more than 1 million card activations during the first 72 hours Apple Pay was available, and in November, Apple Pay captured a total of 1 percent of all digital payment dollars.

Thus far, Apple Pay has proven to be most popular at Whole Foods, with the speciality grocery store responsible for 20 percent of all Apple Pay transactions and 28 percent of all Apple Pay spending. Walgreens and McDonald's were also popular with Apple Pay users.

Apple Pay is still in its infancy, limited to the United States. In the coming months, Apple plans to expand to several other locations across Europe, Canada, and Asia. In the United States, Apple Pay now supports cards representing 90 percent of U.S. credit card purchase volume.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...

Top Rated Comments

SockRolid Avatar
144 months ago
Hey CVS: you s*ck. I used to let the cashiers scan the CVS loyalty program bar code from my iPhone's screen showing the CVS app. No more. If I ever do buy anything at CVS again, I won't be showing the app or my CVS card. And I'll pay cash so you can't track me.

----------

I wonder how it will be in countries where contactless payment is already pretty common.

On a lighter note: imagine the day when you can use contactless payment for a lap dance...

As long as the lap dance isn't contactless, yeah I'm all for it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
144 months ago
Wow... 2/3.
I still maintain this one of the better, more strategic moves Apple has ever made. The potential benefits for their user base, their ecosystem, their product line, is nothing short of staggering.

Brilliant move. And it's just getting started.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flyingember Avatar
144 months ago
As much as I like the whole NFC with Apple Pay I really think Apple needs to do something to push more to widen the availability. I know some stores might resist them, but I'm sure Apple can always kick in some incentives.

So far I have only used Apple Pay with McDonalds, Home Depot, and Walgreen. And I don't even visit any of them that often, less than once a month. It'd be nice if over here stores like Fry's Food or Costco will adapt them.

How is 200,000 more locations? Announced today.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mainstreetmark Avatar
144 months ago
As a society, or perhaps just as a country, the vast majority of transactions are still the "hand your card to somebody" type of thing. Every luddite i know fears Apple Pay - usually due to them not wanting to give Apple their CC# - but I do a pretty good job of defeating their fears by pointing out the afore-mentioned "hand your card to somebody" method used in every restaurant I know of. That is ridiculous, in this connected world. Also, Apple already has their CC#, much to their surprise.

But, Apple Pay fails to work at Home Depot (though it is accepted), usually works at McDonalds, always works at Firehouse Subs, and the rest of the time, I don't even bother trying anymore. Why isn't it, for example, at Gas Pumps - those absurd islands of user-interface from the 1980's. A printed receipt?! How quaint.

I also gave a bunch of money to OnlyCoin for some reason. They haven't bothered shipping a product in like 2 years, so money lost. And now that technology is outmoded already.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
peterh988 Avatar
144 months ago


On a lighter note: imagine the day when you can use contactless payment for a lap dance...
Our beggars have card readers in the UK, I guess they'll be accepting Apple Pay when its available here!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/supertramp-mayfair-beggar-who-accepts-credit-cards-im-just-earning-a-living-9979657.html
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisST Avatar
144 months ago
I wonder how it will be in countries where contactless payment is already pretty common.

On a lighter note: imagine the day when you can use contactless payment for a lap dance...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)