What is Apple Pay?

Absa, in partnership with Apple Pay, has launched a convenient, safer and contactless way for you to pay for your shopping directly from your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac or iPad. Apple Pay is a digital wallet that enables an Apple user to use On-device Cardholder Verification Method (biometrics, facial recognition, or passcode) to securely and easily pay in stores, on apps and on the web. Apple Pay also enables an easy checkout option when paying online, thus eliminating the need to carry your Absa Debit or Credit Card.

How does Apple Pay make my life easier?

It’s safer
It’s touchless
It’s faster
It’s more secure
It works across purchases

How safe is Apple Pay?

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When you use your Absa Credit or Debit Card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

How to set up your Absa Debit or Credit Card for Apple Pay:

Download the Absa Banking App from the App Store and follow the instructions to register for Absa Mobile Banking.
Already using Absa Mobile Banking? Great! Simply logon to the Absa Banking App.
You will be prompted to set up your Absa Debit and/or Credit Card in the Apple Pay Wallet.
Select the Absa cards that you want to add to the Apple Pay Wallet.
You will then be taken through the secure verification process and your selected card will be added for Apple Pay payments.

Using your Apple device to pay:

In store with your iPhone
Look for the contactless or Apple Pay logo.

When you are ready to make payment, place the back of your iPhone directly in front of the POS device/contactless reader.

Your iPhone will prompt you to authenticate with your Face ID, fingerprint (Touch ID) or PIN.

You will feel a vibration from your iPhone, and you will hear a beep when the transaction is complete. A checkmark will also be shown on your iPhone screen.

Use your Absa Banking App to track your transactions and manage your Absa cards.
In store with your Apple Watch
Look for the contactless or Apple Pay logo.

To use your default Absa card, double-click the side button on your Apple Watch and hold the display of your Apple Watch close to the POS device/contactless reader.

Wait until you feel a gentle tap. You may be required to enter your PIN .

Use your preferred security method of authenticating your payment, and you’re done.

Use your Absa Banking App to track your transactions and manage your Absa cards.
While shopping online
Online stores will display the Apple Pay logo at checkout.

Select to checkout with Apple Pay.

You will be prompted to authenticate with your Touch ID.

Select the Absa card with which you want to pay and complete your payment.

Use your Absa Banking App to track your transactions and manage your Absa cards.
Where can I use Apple Pay?
You can use Apple Pay both locally and internationally, in grocery stores, boutiques, pharmacies, restaurants, clothing stores and at many other retailers where contactless payments are accepted. Even paying for parking just got so much easier. Look out for either of these logos when you need to pay in store, using an app or when shopping online.
Security features
Your Absa Debit or Credit Card details are not stored on Apple Pay devices or even at Apple Pay. To enable you to purchase from your digital wallet, Apple Pay uses the specific device number of the phone and a unique transaction code so that your card information is protected. Your transaction is only authenticated by your fingerprint, facial recognition or passcode .

Absa will also prompt you for the necessary information to authenticate and approve your Absa card details being added to the Apple Pay Wallet. As an additional security measure, you need to provision your Absa card details onto your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac or iPad.

What you need to know

Apple Pay works with the following devices:

iPhone 6 and the latest models after iPhone 6
Apple Watch
iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3
Macs.

In store, look for the contactless or Apple Pay logo.
To use your default Absa card, double-click the side button on your Apple Watch and hold the display of your Apple Watch close to the POS device/contactless reader.
Wait until you feel a gentle tap. You may be required to enter a PIN.
Use your preferred security method of authenticating your payment. You’re all done.
Use your Absa Banking App to track your transactions and manage your Absa card.

You can access your Absa Credit Card Account as well as track your purchases in the Absa Banking App. There are great features in the App that allow you to manage your card limits, apply for credit limit increases, temporarily lock your account, access your Absa card details and PIN, view your minimum payment and much more. And you do not need data to transact on the Absa Banking App.

Open your Wallet App.
Select Apple Card, then tap on the transaction that you want to view under Latest Transactions.
To see older transactions, scroll down and select the month and then the transaction.
Select the transaction again to view the details.

No, Absa does not charge you for paying with Apple Pay using your Absa Credit Card.

Yes, data will be needed to process transactions on the Apple Pay App

Yes, you can do this at any time. This can be done through the Wallet App on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. If you remove your credit or debit card from Apple Pay, this will remove the device account number for that card.
You will still be able to make purchases with your physical Absa Visa Card.

No, to make a contactless payment with Apple Pay, you do not need to be connected to the internet at the time of purchase. However, an active data plan will be required to use the service in full. Based on your data plan and mobile carrier's offering, additional message and data charges may apply. Absa Card terms and conditions will apply for all purchases made using Apple Pay.

Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 and later models in stores, apps, and websites in Safari, and with Apple Watch in stores and apps. Apple Pay also works with iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 and later models in apps and websites. It also works with Mac in Safari with an Apple Pay-enabled iPhone 6 or later, or an Apple Watch.

What do I need to use Apple Pay?

Be an active Absa account-holder

Have an eligible iPhone or Apple Watch

Have a supported card

Apple ID signed in to iCloud⁴

Terms and conditions apply

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to use Apple Pay?
Be an active Absa account holder.

Have an eligible iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac or iPad with the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS or MacOS.

Have a supported card – active, inactive or dormant credit and/or debit card.

Have an Apple ID signed in to iCloud⁴.
How do I add a card to the Wallet?
You can access the functionality by following the steps below on the Absa Banking App:

Logon to the Absa Banking App.

You will be presented with an option to set up the Absa card with Apple Pay. Select Continue to proceed with the process or Not now to skip the process.

If you select Not now, you will return to the home page of the Absa Banking App. You will still be given the option to add your cards to Apple Pay Wallet on the home page at a later stage.

If you choose the Continue tab, you will be presented with the option to choose cards from your Absa Banking App profile that you would like to be linked to your Apple Pay Wallet.

Once a card is chosen, tap Add to Apple Pay Wallet, and then Continue to complete provisioning, and read and accept the terms and conditions displayed.

To complete the card-linking process, you must choose your preferred verification process. You could verify yourself by either receiving a one-time PIN via a text message or through calling our Card Contact Centre.

When the verification is successful, a success notification will be sent via SMS.

The Apple Pay functionalities that will be available under the Card menu on your Absa Banking App profile are to link and/or unlink cards.
Do I need to add each of the devices separately?

On your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac with Touch ID, you can use Apple Pay as soon as you add your credit or debit card to Wallet.

Use Apple Pay
You can use Apple Pay to buy things in shops, within apps, on the web in Safari and to travel on public transport. For POS transactions, the POS device must accept contactless payments.
What about my Absa Rewards?

When you pay using Apple Pay, you continue to get the Rewards, benefits and security that your credit and debit card provides.
Can I return and get a refund for items I bought with Apple Pay in a shop?
The cashier can use the Device Account Number to process your return. To find the Device Account Number on your iPhone or iPad:

Open Settings

Scroll down to Wallet & Apple Pay

Tap the card.

For Apple Watch:

Open the Apple Watch App on your iPhone

Go to the My Watch tab and tap Wallet & Apple Pay

Tap your card.

If the cashier is processing the refund through the POS terminal:

On the device that you used to buy the item, choose the card that you want to be refunded in Apple Pay.

On your iPhone, hold the device near the reader and authorise.

On your Apple Watch, double-click the side button and hold the display of your Apple Watch within a few centimetres of the contactless reader.

It may take several days for a refund to appear on your card statement.
How do I check my transaction history?

1. Open the Wallet App on your iPhone.
2. Tap the card for which you want to check transactions.
3. Tap a transaction to see more details.

To check your recent transactions in the Watch App on your iPhone:
1. Open the Watch App on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Wallet & Apple Pay.
3. Tap your card, then tap the Transactions tab
How secure is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is safer than using a plastic credit, debit or prepaid card. Every transaction on your iPhone, iPad or Mac requires you to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Your Apple Watch is protected by the passcode that only you know, and your passcode is required every time that you put on your Apple Watch or when you pay using Apple Pay. Your card number and identity aren’t shared with the merchant, and your actual card numbers aren’t stored on your device or on Apple servers.

When you pay in shops, neither Apple nor your device sends your actual card numbers to merchants. When you pay in apps and on the web in Safari, the merchant will only receive information such as names, email addresses, billing and shipping addresses that you authorise to share to fulfil your order. Apple Pay retains anonymous transaction information such as the approximate purchase amount. This information can’t be tied back to you and never includes what you're buying. Apps that use Apple Pay must have a privacy policy that you can view, which governs the use of your data.
What do I do when my iPhone or Apple Watch is missing or stolen?

Call the Absa Card Support Centre to suspend or delete your card on a missing or lost device.
Can I still use my plastic credit or debit cards after I have suspended or removed cards in Wallet?

When you suspend or remove your cards in Wallet, you can continue to use your plastic cards. Only your Device Account Number is suspended or removed.
Why doesn’t my card art in Wallet match its plastic card?

Card art will not always match and is dependent on the issuer. The last four digits on the card art in Wallet will always match the last four digits of the plastic card.
How many cards can be added to Apple Pay?

Twelve unique cards on all iPhones since iPhone 8 and Apple Watch Series 3. Eight unique cards on all other devices. The same card can be added to unique devices. Passes (e.g. concert tickets) are separate from cards and do not count towards the eight-card limit.
How long will my cards last in my Wallet?

This is dependent on the network (Visa), but it can last for three years past the plastic expiry date.
Can I add my cards to my child’s iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac or iPad?

Apple Pay is disabled on iPads for education or if a child on a family iCloud account is under 13 years old.
Apple Pay should be supported at the store, but it’s not working. Why?

Not all point-of-sale terminals may be set up correctly to accept contactless/Apple Pay. Customer and merchant feedback can be submitted at: https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kb&PFC=PFC6009
Why do I need to sign or enter my PIN if I use Touch ID or Face ID?

This requirement is based on the merchant agreement with the network (Visa/Mastercard). Additionally, you may have to sign your receipts in some countries.
Why do I need to wait for the checkmark before I can pull my device away?

This is to indicate that the transaction is complete.
Why was my transaction declined?

If an Apple Pay transaction is declined, please consult with your bank. The checkmark during payment only indicates that the data has been passed from the phone to the terminal, not that the transaction was approved.