Tim Cook Says Pandemic Boosting Contactless Payment Adoption in United States

During today's earnings call covering the fourth quarter of 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about Apple's payment services, where he said that contactless payment usage could see growth in the United States due to the pandemic, where people are aiming to use cash less and less.

apple pay hand

As you can imagine in this environment, people are less wont to hand over a card. Contactless payment has taken on a different level of adoption and I don't think we'll go back. The United States has been lagging in contactless payments and I think the pandemic may very well put the U.S. on a different trajectory there. We are very bullish on this area and there are more things that Apple can do in this space so this is an area of great interest to us.

Cook also said that Apple in general continues to be enthusiastic about payment services. Apple Card is "doing well," and Apple Pay is "doing exceptionally well."

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Top Rated Comments

farewelwilliams Avatar
64 months ago
we need to be able to store our ID securely on our phones too.

yes, I know some of you won't like the privacy implications of that, but I for one would gladly ditch my wallet completely.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
64 months ago

Here in Florida, where supposed to get some sort of this next year with our drivers license. One less thing to carry and lose.
Yes because handing my phone to a police officer at a traffic stop is definitely on the top ten list of things I've dreamt of being able to do.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bpeeps Avatar
64 months ago

I admit, I am a very ‘germ conscious’ person, and I don’t even use my debit card anymore. Anywhere I go, it’s contactless payment at the pumps where I don’t have to touch those nasty terminals in stores. I won’t even frequent a store if they don’t support Apple Pay. Less touching = Stopping cross-contamination=Slowing spread.
My favorite is when stores have Apple Pay, but their terminals still ask you a thousand questions because they haven't been setup properly. So you have to touch the stupid screens anyway. Looking at you, CVS!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robinp Avatar
64 months ago
Here in the UK, I think I’ve used a credit or debit card about twice in the last six months. Everything can be done contactless now
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7thson Avatar
64 months ago

NOT TRUE, I cannot use Apple Pay at all because I need to wear mask now in stores.
WAY TRUE! Use your passcode or an Apple Watch if you own one.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxray Avatar
64 months ago
I loved it before COVID, and I love it even more now. The more merchants that use Apple Pay the better.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)