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HSBC tweets UK Apple Pay launching on Tuesday as signs start appearing at retailers

HSBC appears to have let slip the release date of Apple Pay in the UK over Twitter. In a tweet that has since been deleted, a support representative from the bank said ‘Yes! It’s due to launch this Tuesday! We are excited too’. 9to5Mac previously reported the 14th July date for the expansion of Apple Pay into the UK a couple of weeks ago.

UK retailers also seem to think that the Apple Pay launch is imminent as signs showing support for the contactless technology have started appearing across the country, as noted by 9to5Mac readers and Matt Brian on Twitter.

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UK McDonald’s POS

In a follow-up tweet HSBC has gone back on its initial comment, saying that there is ‘no set date for launch’. However, with merchants putting up these Apple Pay signs at point-of-sale it seems pretty clear that a launch is imminent with a Tuesday launch very likely.

Apple Pay will be subject to the normal contactless transaction limits of £20 per payment, at least initially. In September, Apple Pay purchase limit will be raised to £30. Higher value transactions will be possible when retailers and merchants upgrade their payment terminals. Apple Pay is launching with all of the major UK banks apart from Barclays, which remains mum on any partnership to date.

A software update will not be required for the Apple Pay UK debut as all the settings already bundled in the operating system and Apple can ‘flip the switch’ over-the-air automatically. When the feature goes live, users can add cards through the Settings app. Apple Pay is compatible with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch.

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Comments

  1. ishyherts - 9 years ago

    I was glad to put the decals out today!!! https://instagram.com/p/5DXJQ_Ba35/?taken-by=isharrrrr

  2. rockstoff - 9 years ago

    Reblogged this on rockstoff.net.

  3. epicflyingcat - 9 years ago

    Can Apple just give a release date instead of making the whole thing secret? I mean what is the point.

    • Just to make sure you can read: HSBC tweets UK Apple Pay launching on Tuesday as signs start appearing at retailers.

      • alexmcleod1 - 9 years ago

        Just to make sure you can read: They asked if APPLE could give a release date and I agree. HSBC (especially one employee who posts on their social media account) is not apple. How many times have we had so called “confirmed” information from third parties and it hasn’t come to fruition?

        If it were straight from the horses mouth, there would be none of these discussions, second guessing or speculation. Im guessing they know the adoption rate would be super high on the first day if everyone knew about it so they’re trying to ease it in as not to overload anything and have disgruntled/annoyed customers and therefore bad reviews. Still annoying though.

      • It’s appearing outside there (as you can see on the pictures) so it won’t be in like forever, don’t you think?

      • alexmcleod1 - 9 years ago

        Yea I can see the signs and would say it’s a safe bet to guess that it will launch over the next day/week, but that’s the point, we’re having to guess as there’s no “official” word:/

        Anyway, hopefully sooner rather than later.. Looking forward to it!

  4. griffinjar - 9 years ago

    Presumably being on the ios9 public beta won’t mess things up?

  5. WaveMedia (@WaveMedia) - 9 years ago

    This has reminded me how annoyed I am to be a Barclays customer. I hope their change in CEO brings about a change of heart but I doubt it any time soon.

  6. Jassi Sikand - 9 years ago

    Cards are added through the Settings /or/ Passbook.

    • Tony Orr - 9 years ago

      Through passbook (Wallet in IOS9). If you change your phone region to US and open Passbook gou’ll get a sneak peak at the way to add cards.

  7. dougieswallow - 9 years ago

    I was speaking to Natwest bank on Saturday and they confirmed launch was 14th July!

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.