One year after the launch of Apple Pay in Germany, 371 out of a total of 379 German savings banks have now introduced the digital payment service. Around 50 million customers can use the service with it. Commerzbank, Norisbank and LBBW were also added as further banks.
First, customers can only use Apple Pay with bank-issued credit cards and debit cards. A solution for the girocard, which is much used in Germany and many consumers still know it under the old brand name EC card, is still in the works. It will be introduced next year, said Apple Pay boss Jennifer Bailey.
With Apple Pay you can pay with an iPhone or an Apple Watch at the cash register as with a contactless card. A double-tap on the power button of the device will start the payment mode, paid by holding the smartphone or smartwatch to the dealer's card reader.
In addition, the payment method can be used on the Web. It is the transactions on the iPhone face recognition Face ID or the fingerprint scanner of the MacBooks free.
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Pay at the checkout with your mobile: How to set up Apple PayA year ago, the savings banks had reacted cautiously to Apple Pay. But at Deutsche Bank, which was already working with the tech group back then, it could be said that expectations had been significantly exceeded.
However, many bank customers remain skeptical. At Verivox representative Innofact poll, just over a third of respondents (35 percent) said, "I do not think it's safe."