Skip to Content

Apple Now Selling Square's New NFC Reader for Apple Pay and Contactless Payments

Square has announced that its new NFC reader that enables small businesses to accept Apple Pay, Android Pay, and other contactless payments can now be purchased from Apple online or in U.S. stores for $49.

The reader is compatible with NFC-equipped smartphones, including the iPhone 6 or newer, and contactless EMV chip debit and credit cards based on technologies like American Express ExpressPay, MasterCard PayPass, and Visa payWave.

Apple-Square
The small square-shaped reader functions like other NFC-enabled payment terminals, allowing users to wave an iPhone, paired Apple Watch, or contactless EMV chip card near the reader for a few seconds to complete a purchase.

The NFC reader, which connects wirelessly with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth, also works with EMV chip cards that are inserted for Chip-and-Signature payments. Square includes a magstripe reader in the box for accepting traditional swipe payments as well.

Apple Pay is accepted at more than 1 million locations in the U.S., but its early rollout has mostly been limited to larger franchises. Square's new NFC reader, and similar products, will help expand Apple Pay to smaller businesses across the country.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Tags: NFC, Square

Popular Stories

macbook air blue

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...
ipad mini 7 1

Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

Friday February 27, 2026 12:08 pm PST by
With a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo? The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...

Top Rated Comments

American Hero Avatar
132 months ago
$49 is just too expensive. I get there is more tech in this by far than the free strip reader they gave out, but cmon. $25 would have been more than fair still.
You're kidding me right? You save $49 of your first transaction fees after buying the reader.

Try buying a Verifone MX925 and see how much one of those goes for.

Give me a break.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pgiguere1 Avatar
132 months ago
Better start switching from the 3.5mm jack reader now, its days are numbered :p.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
American Hero Avatar
132 months ago
When American Businesses are told they have to upgrade to usable EMV readers or face fraudulent charges in cases of stolen credit cards and data breaches, even though the rest of the world did this years ago...



Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
132 months ago
Super curious when Apple will let an iOS device accept an Apple Pay NFC charge natively. All the hardware is there.

Actually, Apple could make a card reader, process everything through the Apple Pay system and completely take over the small-biz cash register business. People are already using iPads/iPhones with Square or sometimes PayPal or sometimes ShopKeep for "cash registers".
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
132 months ago
$49 is just too expensive. I get there is more tech in this by far than the free strip reader they gave out, but cmon. $25 would have been more than fair still.
To a business, $49 is a small investment. The device helps people make money.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
132 months ago
Apple has an terribly ugly case that they put on their iPhone in the Apple Store that allows them to accept Apple Pay and credit cards. It also has a scanner built in. Apple should buy Square so they can get their design folks to help Jony out. Square has a very nice simple Apple-like design. In addition, with Apple's backing, Square could finally expand overseas and really help Apple Pay get better penetration.

Come on Tim, this seems like a really smart investment, even if not as sexy as buying beats.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)