Apple has reached a new deal with the European Union to open up its NFC mobile payments system to third parties. The EU has been holding out on this feat for more than three years, accusing Apple of illegally limiting NFC so that no other service can use it for mobile payments by 2022.

Following the agreement, it was determined that iPhone users will be able to use third-party applications to make payments via NFC starting today. Apple Pay will no longer be the only option if we want to make payments.

The European Commission emphasizes that Apple Pay is the only solution for paying in stores. It has now been determined that third-party applications can use the iPhone’s NFC chip for this purpose. According to Vestager:

“Apple has committed to allowing competitors to access iPhone tap-and-go technology. Today’s decision makes Apple’s commitment binding. It opens up competition in this important sector by preventing Apple from usurping other mobile wallets in the iPhone ecosystem.”

Now rivals will be able to effectively compete with Apple Pay for mobile payments in stores using the iPhone. “Consumers will therefore have a wider range of secure and innovative mobile wallets to choose from.”

The decision ends all the censure processes Apple has been involved in regarding mobile payments, including in the UK. How third-party payment systems will be implemented is a separate issue, as Apple Pay’s native integration greatly impacts how fast and usable this payment method is.

The ball is now in the developers’ court. It remains to be seen whether Google will be encouraged to bring Google Pay to the iPhone, or whether apps like BBVA, Revolut or la Caixa will allow you to pay directly from their own apps.

Image | Manzana

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