Apple Pay is finally launching in the UK - here's where and how you use it

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Apple phone near a contactless readerImage source, PA

Apple Pay is launching in the UK, with retailers and restaurants including Nandos, Boots and McDonald's now accepting payments from your phone.

But it's not quite as straightforward as just waving your phone at the till - you'll need to have the right device and set it up.

You also need to make sure that your bank or building society is part of the scheme.

Here's Newsbeat's quick guide to setting up your account.

The device

Image source, Apple

You'll need to have bought one of the latest Apple devices in order to start using Apple Pay.

The ones that have the right combination of fingerprint technology and near-field communication (NFC) are the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 and Watch.

iPhones can make both in-store and in-app payments.

iPads can only make in-app payments, while Watches can only make in-store purchases.

Stores showing this symbol have Apple Pay.

Image source, APple

The bank or building society

Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, Santander, MBNA and American Express are all signed up and ready to go with Apple Pay.

HSBC and First Direct have had some last-minute delays, but have told customers the service should be available before the end of July.

Barclays has recently launched its own contactless payment devices but has since revealed that it will be signing both credit and debit cards up to Apple Pay.

The Co-operative Bank has yet to confirm if it will join the scheme.

Lloyds, TSB, Halifax, MBNA and Bank of Scotland will join later this year.

Image source, Apple

The set-up

  • On an iPhone, go straight to Passbook - if you're on an iPad, you'll find it in Settings under Passbook and Apple Pay.
  • If you have a card already linked to your iTunes account, you can use that for Apple Pay by following the prompt to put in the security code.
  • If you don't have an associated card, or you want to use a different one, click on Add Credit or Debit Card.
  • You'll be asked to put the card you want to add in front of the camera on the device - this is so it can quickly capture the long card number and other data. You'll need to manually add the security code.
  • Once you've added the details on your card, the request will be sent to your bank or building society. They may send you a security code to confirm your data.
  • As soon as you've had your card approved, you're ready to start using Apple Pay.

Shops, restaurants and travel

Image source, Getty Images

Stores signed up to Apple Pay include: Marks and Spencer, Boots, Lidl, Post Office, Liberty, Waitrose, Spar and BP with Screwfix, New Look, Wilko, Dune, Costcutter and JD coming soon.

Restaurants using the scheme include: McDonald's, Le Pain Quotidien, Bill's, Costa, Pret A Manger, Subway, Wagamama, Nandos, Starbucks and KFC with Five Guys and Eat coming soon.

You can also use Apple Pay on the TfL network, to pay for your London bus or Tube fare, just like using an Oyster or contactless card.

Independent stores, such as the coffee shops Workshop and Shoreditch Grind in London, have also been reported to have Apple Pay up and running.

The in-store payment

Image source, Apple

iPhone: You don't need to open an app. Instead you hold your phone near the contactless reader with your finger on the Touch ID button at the bottom of the device.

Watch: Double click the side button and hold the display of Apple Watch up to the contactless reader.

Other contactless options

Samsung has announced it will soon offer Samsung Pay in South Korea, the US and Europe.

Meanwhile, Google intends to revamp and rebrand its US-only Google Wallet mobile service as Android Pay.

In the UK already, shoppers can use Barclays' Pingit and PayM to send and receive money by using mobile numbers.

PayPal - already popular for online money transfers - has also been trialling in-store and in-restaurant payments with Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Wagamama among others.

A new service called Zapp promises to let older smartphones make bank debit payments in stores belonging to Asda, Sainsbury's, House of Fraser and Clarks among others.

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