Apple Pay on iPhone without double-clicking side button?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Apple Pay on iPhone without double-clicking side button?

Hi,

I’m using an iPhone 16e and I would like to pay contactless with Apple Pay without having to double-click the side button every time.

Is there any alternative method to activate or confirm Apple Pay (for example using Face ID automatically, Assistive Touch, Accessibility settings, or another configuration)?

I understand this is the default security behavior, but I’m wondering if there’s any alternative method — that allows NFC payment without the physical double-click action.

I checked the Wallet & Apple Pay settings, but the configuration menu seems quite complex and I’m not sure if I’m missing an option.

If there is another way to set this up, could someone please explain the steps?

Thank you!

iPhone 16e, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 15, 2026 5:32 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 15, 2026 8:03 AM in response to efadrian

Please follow the instructions from this video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/RQGfWuBgzQI?si=EjaL1-0ahJHdcj7t

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Answer 2

Feb 15, 2026 5:57 AM in response to efadrian

There is a way to setup Accessibility to remove the double click, but Face ID will still be required. Many transaction terminals will activate Apple Pay on your iPhone or Apple Watch if you place the device an inch or so away from the terminal contact point.

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Answer 3

Feb 18, 2026 8:14 AM in response to efadrian

efadrian wrote:

Why would you create a flexible option to add any of the options - and not add the Device or directly Apple pay? Is that a feature or a bug?

• Why add complexity without functional practicability?

This is a user-to-user forum. We can't answer why Apple did something. And Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Note that Apple Pay is a balancing act between convenience and security.

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Answer 4

efadrian Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 15, 2026 6:27 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I enabled Assistive Touch -> But on that button on Device there is no Apple Pay option,

even after enabling the confirm with Assistive Touch.

They added way to many options on that Device menu-> but the one that was most necessarily!

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Answer 5

MrHoffman

Level 10

147,533 points

Feb 15, 2026 6:32 AM in response to efadrian

If your payment card itself supports contactless NFC, use that directly. No clicking, no iPhone, just the card.

If you still want the phone involved, try this: https://www.simplymac.com/ios/how-to-confirm-with-assistivetouch

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Answer 6

efadrian Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 18, 2026 8:03 AM in response to efadrian

Well, yes, I could set it up!

Feedback:

Seems the option is visible only when you are near payment device.

The option is very hard to use as is inside a 3-layer of menus that make it very annoying!

Is there a way to show the device option menu directly?

Not sure if this was tested sufficient to actually acknowledge the frustration it brings being so far away~

Why would you create a flexible option to add any of the options - and not add the Device or directly Apple pay? Is that a feature or a bug?
Why add complexity without functional practicability?

Probably when you just want to add features and functions just for the sake of them...

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