Apple Pay has officially arrived in Malaysia, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users to make convenient and secure contactless payments. Apple Pay was introduced to consumers in the United States in 2014, and the business believes that it is a more secure payment method than conventional credit cards. According to the company’s FAQ, the user’s card number and identity will not be shared with merchants, nor are actual card numbers saved on the device or Apple servers.
Malaysia is the second country after Singapore in Southeast Asia to receive Apple Pay support. If you have an Apple-compatible device and a payment card that supports Apple Pay, here’s how to get started with Apple Pay. The Apple Pay payment feature is supported by four (4) major banks in Malaysia, namely Maybank, Ambank, HSBC and Standard Chartered.
Apple Pay Malaysia : Compatible Devices
Apple Pay uses NFC (Near-field Communication) technology to send and receive payment signals. In order to be eligible to use Apple Pay in Malaysia, your Apple devices must have either NFC feature, Touch ID and Face ID. See below to find out whether your Apple Device is Compatible to use Apple Pay.
| iPhones | iPads | iWatches | Macs | |
| Models | iPhone 6 and later (With Touch ID or Face ID) | iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini (With Touch ID or Face ID) | Apple iWatch Series 1 and later (With NFC Function) | – Mac computers manufactured in 2012 and later – Mac computers with Touch ID feature – Apple Silicon Computers (M1, M2) |
| Apple Pay Usage | – In stores – Within apps – On the web in SafarI – Within transit systems in some countries and regions – Person to person – At some schools with your student ID – In Business Chat | – Within apps – On the web in Safari – Person to person – In Business Chat | – In stores – Within apps – Within transit systems in some countries and regions – Person to person – At some schools with your student ID | – On the web in Safari – In Business Chat – Within apps |
Supported Bank Cards
Apple Pay is currently compatible with cards issued by AmBank, Maybank, Standard Chartered and HSBC. Only AmBank’s credit cards is compatible with Apple Pay, while MayBank’s credit, debit, and even prepaid cards are all compatible with Apple Pay. Using Maybank Apple Pay is quite convenient in my own personal experience as if you are using the MAE app, the Maybank Apple Pay allows you to integrate your Maybank Debit Card and Credit Card to your Apple Pay via MAE App.
[UPDATE: 21:45, 09/08/2022] We have obtained confirmation that Malaysia-issued Standard Chartered credit cards are accepted by Apple Pay. Support for American Express is forthcoming.
[UPDATE : 20:39, 20/02/2023] We have obtained information that HSBC bank cards is also accepted by Apple Pay.
How To Setup Apple Pay with Malaysian Bank Cards
- Launch the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- On the top right corner, tap on the + icon.
- Select “Debit or Credit Card”
- Tap “continue“
- Scan your card, or enter the card details manually
- Follow the instructions for verification with your bank. Typically it uses your bank’s OTP or phone call verification
- Once verified, the card is added to your Apple Wallet.
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After adding your cards to your wallet, it is also good to make sure that your Touch IDs and Face ID is working fine on your iPhone, iPad, and Macbook to ensure you are able to authenticate payments.
Apple Pay not only allows online purchases, but it also allows offline purchases. For offline purchases, NFC-enabled devices can be tapped to make payments. Apple Pay can also be used as a way of online payment on platforms such as Shopee. Additionally, they can view their purchase history on the Wallet app.
At the moment, Apple Pay is available in more than 60 countries and it works with more than 10,000 bank and network partners worldwide. We will anticipate more Malaysian banks and cards to support Apple Pay at a later date. We are closer to walk on the street with just our phone one day.
Using Apple Pay On Your iPhone and iWatch
Apple Pay currently accept VISA, MASTER and American Express cards. You can just simply link your VISA, MASTER or American Express Cards to Your Apple Wallet. Once you are linked up, you are ready to use.
No matter where you are or on what page you are on your iPhone, just double click the POWER button will bring you to Apple Wallet. You will just have to enable Face ID to authenticate that you are the owner of the iPhone as well as cards to proceed with the transaction. For iPhones that do not have Face ID feature, you will be prompted to enable your debit or credit cards via Touch ID. Once you have enabled the Touch ID, you will be able to pay your payments.
Commonly Asked Questions About Apple Pay In Malaysia
Is Apple Pay widely accepted in Malaysia?
While Apple Pay is not as widely accepted in Malaysia as it is in some other countries, it is still accepted at a growing number of merchants. You can use Apple Pay to make purchases at many major retailers, including Starbucks, KFC, and Mydin. You can also use Apple Pay to make payments within apps and on the web. As of February 2023, Maybank, Standard Charted, HSBC and Ambank has embarked on Apple Pay and you can use these 4 banks for Apple Pay In Malaysia
How do I set up Apple Pay in Malaysia?
To set up Apple Pay in Malaysia, you need to have a compatible device, such as an iPhone or Apple Watch, running the latest version of iOS or watchOS. You also need to add a supported debit or credit card to the Wallet app on your device. You can add your card by opening the Wallet app, tapping the "+" button, and following the prompts to enter your card information. Once your card is added, you can start using Apple Pay to make purchases.
Is it safe to use Apple Pay in Malaysia?
Yes, it is safe to use Apple Pay in Malaysia. When you make a purchase with Apple Pay, your card details are never shared with the merchant, and your card number is not stored on your device. Instead, Apple Pay uses a unique Device Account Number to process your payment, which is securely stored on your device and encrypted. This helps to keep your card details secure and reduces the risk of fraud.