Tap to Share arrived with iOS 27, which Apple released to the public on September 14. It lets a merchant and a customer exchange information with one NFC tap during a Tap to Pay on iPhone checkout, so a sale can cover more than the payment.
The feature builds on Tap to Pay on iPhone, which Apple introduced in 2022 so merchants could accept contactless payments on an iPhone without extra hardware. Apple’s developer page for Tap to Share says a merchant only needs an iPhone and a supported payment app that uses Tap to Pay on iPhone. The customer connects with a tap on their own device.
Merchants Can Collect Details, Signups, and Passes With One Tap
During an active Tap to Pay on iPhone session, customers can handle several checkout tasks on their own iPhone without a separate card reader or a paper form.
- Share contact details to join a membership program
- Provide a shipping address
- Send an email address for a digital receipt
- Add or share Apple Wallet passes
- Review the cart and pay with Apple Pay
Apple says customers share only what they choose, and the details go directly to the merchant’s iPhone. Loyalty and membership signups now happen at the same tap as the payment. A business can enroll a customer on its iPhone, accept their pass at checkout, and let them save it to Apple Wallet.
Payments still run on NFC, so Tap to Pay on iPhone keeps accepting an iPhone or Apple Watch, a contactless card, or another contactless payment option. Tap to Share adds the data exchange to that same session. It is aimed at small businesses such as local vendors and independent sellers that use an iPhone as their payment terminal.
Customers Pay With Apple Pay on Their Own iPhone, but Only Outside the EEA
Customers can review their cart on their own device before paying, then finish the checkout with Apple Pay. Apple also built a web app fallback that starts through the same tap. It lets customers securely share their details and review the cart when a native app experience is not available.
Apple Pay itself looks different in iOS 27. The redesigned checkout screen lets users swipe between cards and see rewards, balances, and pay later options. Apple Wallet changes in iOS 27 also include Create a Pass and Apple Cash bill splitting.
Merchants who already take payments through Tap to Pay on iPhone will need a payment app that supports Tap to Share. Apple has not said which payment apps will add it, so how fast it reaches checkout counters depends on those providers.
Tap to Share is not available in the European Economic Area, which covers every EU country plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Apple has not given a reason or a timeline for expanding it. Everywhere else, the feature requires an iPhone 12 or newer.
