Apple has announced that it will be opening up its NFC technology to third-party developers in response to increasing pressure from regulators. NFC, which powers Apple Pay and Wallet, had been exclusive to Apple’s iPhone capabilities, leading to scrutiny from the European Commission for antitrust concerns. After years of investigation, Apple has decided to allow third parties access to its tap-and-go technology in certain regions to avoid fines.
This expansion will initially be available in countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. with more locations to follow. The new NFC and Secure Element APIs will be released with the iOS 18.1 update.
By opening up access to developers, Apple is aligning with EU regulations and preventing potential further complications. This move will enable developers to create innovative apps that utilize NFC capabilities for various functionalities such as in-store payments, car keys, transit cards, loyalty cards, event tickets, and more.
To gain access, developers will need to enter a commercial agreement with Apple, which includes requesting entitlement and paying associated fees. This agreement ensures that developers adhere to Apple’s terms and conditions for utilizing the Secure Element on the iPhone.
Once developers have access, they can integrate the new APIs to create apps that leverage the Secure Element’s capabilities. Users will be able to interact with these third-party apps seamlessly, either by setting them as defaults in iOS settings or using them directly through features like double-clicking the side button for quick access.
