The global leader in payment services, Worldline, today, May 27, 2025, announced significant news for the Croatian market – the introduction of the innovative Tap to Pay on iPhone service. This implementation marks a turning point for businesses of all sizes across Croatia, opening doors to a simpler, more secure, and flexible way of accepting contactless payments. From now on, entrepreneurs and companies will be able to transform their iPhones into fully functional POS terminals, eliminating the need for additional hardware and simplifying the checkout process like never before.

The Tap to Pay on iPhone service, available through the Worldline Tap on Mobile application, enables the acceptance of a wide range of contactless payment methods. This includes physical debit and credit cards equipped with contactless technology, the popular Apple Pay, and other digital wallets. The payment process itself is intuitive and fast – the customer simply holds their card or smart device near the merchant's iPhone, and the transaction is securely processed using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This ease of use requires no additional hardware installations or complex integrations with existing payment systems, making it an ideal solution for business modernization.

A revolution in tap payments for Croatian entrepreneurs

The arrival of Tap to Pay technology on iPhones in Croatia represents a significant step forward in the digitalization of payment processes. Worldline, as a company with many years of experience and a global reputation in financial technology, has recognized the needs of modern companies for agile and efficient solutions. This service is not only a technological advancement but also a response to the growing expectations of consumers who increasingly prefer fast, secure, and contactless payments. The ability to accept payments anywhere within the sales area or in the field opens new horizons for improving the customer experience and optimizing sales processes.

Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone technology is inherently designed with an emphasis on security and privacy. Using the advanced built-in security features of the iPhone itself, the protection of sensitive data for both companies and their customers is ensured. One of the key security elements lies in the fact that Apple does not store card numbers either on the device or on its servers. This means that merchants and users can have full confidence that their financial data remains protected during every transaction. Temporary storage of encrypted card numbers on the iPhone occurs exclusively for transactions carried out in "Store and Forward" mode, which further guarantees security.

Simplicity and security at the core of innovation

The process of using the Tap to Pay on iPhone service via the Worldline Tap on Mobile application is designed to be maximally simple, secure, and private. When making a payment, the merchant simply needs to ask the customer to hold their chosen contactless payment method – whether it's a contactless card, an iPhone with Apple Pay, or another smartwatch or device with a digital wallet – near the NFC reader on the merchant's iPhone. The transaction is then securely and quickly completed. This functionality can be used as a standalone payment solution or as a supplement to an existing, traditional POS terminal, providing additional flexibility depending on the specific needs of the business.

The advantages of this approach are numerous. For example, sales assistants in stores can use their official iPhone to close a sale and process payment anywhere in the store. This provides customers with a more personalized and pleasant shopping experience, eliminating the often frustrating queuing at checkouts. This is particularly useful in dynamic retail environments where speed and efficiency play a key role in customer satisfaction.

Wide application in various industries

The application possibilities of Tap to Pay technology on iPhone are extremely diverse and tailored to the needs of modern business in Croatia. In addition to classic retail, this service also brings significant advantages in other sectors. Catering establishments, such as restaurants and cafes, can significantly speed up the table payment process, allowing waiters to process payments directly with the guest. Delivery services can easily process paymentscollection of shipments, without the need to carry additional devices. Taxi services can also benefit from fast and easy fare collection.

Market vendors, seasonal artisans, event organizers, and all those who operate in the field or at temporary locations now have a powerful tool for accepting digital payments. This solution is particularly attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises looking for cost-effective ways to modernize their business and adapt to the digital age. In the context of Croatian tourism, this technology offers private accommodation renters, small agencies, and tourism service providers an easy way to collect payments from domestic and foreign guests who increasingly expect the option of contactless payment.

Marko Marinšek, Country Manager for Worldline in Croatia, highlighted the importance of this innovation: "With the implementation of the Tap to Pay on iPhone service, businesses in Croatia gain extraordinary flexibility and a high level of security when accepting payments, using exclusively the Worldline Tap on Mobile application on their iPhones. This advanced technology is designed to meet the needs of all types of merchants, regardless of whether they conduct their business at a fixed point of sale, such as a shop or restaurant, or their activities are field-based. The key advantage lies in the ability to perform fast transactions that are finalized in just a few seconds. Additionally, the need to purchase, install, and maintain additional hardware is eliminated, making Tap to Pay on iPhone an optimal solution for Croatian companies aiming to simplify their payment processes and improve overall business efficiency."

Quick setup and wide compatibility

One of the key features of the Tap to Pay on iPhone service is its exceptional simplicity of setup and use, making it accessible to a wide range of users in Croatia. To start accepting contactless payments, merchants simply need to download the Worldline Tap on Mobile application from the Apple App Store to their compatible iPhone. The initial setup process is quick and intuitive, allowing users to be ready for their first transactions in just a few minutes. This ease of implementation breaks down barriers that many smaller companies may have had when introducing digital payments.

The service is compatible with all iPhone models from iPhone XS onwards to the latest models. The only prerequisite is that the device must have the latest version of the iOS operating system installed. This wide compatibility ensures that a large number of existing iPhone users can easily start using this advanced payment functionality without the need to purchase new hardware, further reducing entry costs.

The security of transactions processed via Tap to Pay on iPhone is further enhanced by encryption protocols and tokenization, standard industry practices that protect sensitive card data. Apple's commitment to user privacy means that actual card numbers are never shared with the merchant nor stored on Apple's servers, thereby minimizing the risk of data misuse. Worldline, for its part, as a renowned payment processor, ensures that all transactions are processed in accordance with the highest security standards of the payment industry, including PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

The introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Croatia through Worldline is not just a response to current market trends, but also a strategic move that anticipates the future of payments. An increasing number of consumers rely on their smartphones for everyday activities, including payments. By enabling companies to accept payments directly via iPhone, Worldline helps Croatian entrepreneurs stay competitive, improve operational efficiency, and provide a superior experience to their customers. This technology has the potential to transform the way transactions are conducted in numerous sectors, from small family businesses to larger retail chains, contributing to the further digitalization of the Croatian economy and the adoption of modern payment habits.

The integration of such a solution further encourages innovation in the field of financial technologies (FinTech) in the region. As more and more businesses rely on mobile payment solutions, space opens up for the development of new services and applications that can further enhance the user experience and business processes. Worldline's initiative, therefore, not only brings concrete benefits to merchants and customers but also fosters a broader ecosystem of digital payments in Croatia.