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NathanH83

Q: If the iPhone 5s has touch ID, then why can't it use Apple Pay to make in-app purchases?

They came out with a new iPad mini, and the only difference with the old mini and the new mini is that it has touch ID so that you can make in-app purchases. That's just about the only difference.

 

Ok, well, the iPhone 5s has touch ID already. Why can't it be used to make in-app purchases?

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.1

Posted on Oct 20, 2014 12:33 PM

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Q: If the iPhone 5s has touch ID, then why can't it use Apple Pay to make in-app purchases?

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  • by Michael Ginsberg,

    Michael Ginsberg Michael Ginsberg Oct 20, 2014 12:35 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 3 (916 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:35 PM in response to NathanH83

    Good question

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Oct 20, 2014 12:34 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 20, 2014 12:34 PM in response to NathanH83

    Did you activate the use of Touch ID for the App Store in Settings? You have to turn it on.

  • by WiseJD,

    WiseJD WiseJD Oct 20, 2014 12:43 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 4 (1,659 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:43 PM in response to NathanH83

    The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have a NFC Chip (Near Field Communications), without which you could not use the Apple Pay at a Retail Location.  Part of the process requires that the Device sends a per transaction number, vs. your actual Credit Card number.

  • by NathanH83,

    NathanH83 NathanH83 Oct 20, 2014 12:45 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:45 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Yes, actually I did. There's no Apple Pay option.

     

    But there's more to it than that. If you look at the Apple Pay section of Apple's website, it specifically says that Apple pay will only work with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Apple Watch for making in-store purchases (you know, actual stores), and with iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 for making in-app purchases.

     

    So Apple's website specifically says that Apple Pay will not work for iPhone 5s for making in-app purchases.

     

    My question is, why? What technology is it lacking?

     

    I understand that iPhone 5s can't do in-store purchases since it doesn't have NFC. But in-app? Why not? It has touch ID.

  • by NathanH83,

    NathanH83 NathanH83 Oct 20, 2014 12:47 PM in response to WiseJD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:47 PM in response to WiseJD

    iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 also don't have NFC, therefore can't do in-store purchases. But they can to in-app purchases. Read the question again.

  • by Lastminuteguy,

    Lastminuteguy Lastminuteguy Oct 20, 2014 12:48 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 12:48 PM in response to NathanH83

    It's about features. Like Siri only being available for the iPhone 4s and not the 4 even though the 4 could handle it technically.

     

    In other words, it's to have a USP for the new iPad's

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Oct 20, 2014 12:50 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 9 (57,249 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 20, 2014 12:50 PM in response to NathanH83

    You did not ask about Apple Pay, you asked about using Touch ID for in-app purchases. I mistakenly was referring to the App Store. You have gotten the information you need regarding NFC. You have also seen the information on the Apple website. None of us here (users like you) could say why Apple did what they did, or why it is not supported. You can provide feedback to Apple HERE.

  • by WiseJD,Solvedanswer

    WiseJD WiseJD Oct 20, 2014 1:03 PM in response to NathanH83
    Level 4 (1,659 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 1:03 PM in response to NathanH83

    I did read the question you at first had written, however the more detailed post you made was after I already wrote my post.  In any event I will let others provide the information you apparently are looking for.

     

    Why doesn't Apple Pay work with the iPhone 5S?

    iPhone 5S users are probably wondering why their Touch ID doesn't work with Apple Pay. The problem is that the 5S doesn't have the SE chip, so it can't generate the code to transmit your credit or debit card number, even for in-app transactions.

  • by NathanH83,

    NathanH83 NathanH83 Oct 20, 2014 2:26 PM in response to WiseJD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2014 2:26 PM in response to WiseJD

    Oh, ok. So it's the Secure Element chip that stores and encrypts the credit card information. That makes sense. Thanks.