Does Apple Pay Work Without Internet?

Apple Pay is one of the best options available for paying for things while you’re out and about. 

If you forget or lose your wallet, you can still make purchases right at your fingertips through your iPhone or Apple Watch thanks to the service.

However, you might wonder whether you can still use Apple Pay when you don’t have Internet access.

Does Apple Pay Work Without Internet?

Apple Pay works without an Internet connection. It’s convenient, easy to use, and allows you to pay for goods and services through the use of near-field communications, also known as NFC. This technology makes it possible to use Apple Pay without an Internet connection on your device.

You can easily use it on your iPhone or Apple Watch even if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi or cellular data. 

This means that even if you’re in a location that gives your device a dead zone, you can still go about your business and use Apple Pay without Internet access.

If you don’t have an Internet connection on your iPhone and need to use Apple Pay, the good news is that Apple Pay will still work. 

This is due to the technology it uses, near-field communications, also known as NFC.

You can even use an old iPhone without a SIM card to pay for items with Apple Pay.

How Does Apple Pay Work Without an Internet Connection?

As long as you have an iPhone or Apple Watch that is equipped with the Apple Pay feature – all iPhones from the iPhone 6 to the current iPhone 13 lineup have Apple Pay – you are free to use it to make purchases at any store or merchant that accepts it.

You can easily add the credit or debit card of your choice to the wallet feature on your device through its Secure Element or SE chip.

When you pay for purchases, you have to authenticate your payment by using Touch ID, Face ID or your passcode.

All of these options work without the need for an Internet connection. 

This means that if you accidentally lock yourself out of your apartment but have your iPhone in your pocket, you can call your locksmith to come by to help and make a quick stop at the store to buy a few things as well.

Apple Pay even works when your iPhone is in airplane mode!

What is Apple Pay?

Apple Pay is a contactless payment service created by Apple for iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, and even Macs. 

It allows you to make payments through your device’s wallet feature as your credit or debit card information is stored directly there. 

With a simple tap of your thumb or scan of your face, you can buy things anywhere the service is accepted.

What’s especially nice about Apple Pay is that it gives you yet another option for paying for purchases. 

For example, if you go out but accidentally forget your wallet, as long as you have your iPhone with you or your Apple Watch secured on your wrist, you’re free to buy groceries, clothing, bus fare and many other things using Apple Pay. 

It’s easy to set up, very secure and highly convenient.

How Can You Add a Credit or Debit Card to Apple Pay?

Adding a credit or debit card to Apple Pay is straightforward. 

To do this on an iPhone, open the Wallet app, press the Add button and then tap on “Debit or Credit Card.”

Tap “Continue” and follow the steps on the iPhone’s screen to add a new card. You might be prompted to choose your bank or card issuer from a list or you can type in the name in the search bar.

Verify your card information with your bank or card issuer.

You might be asked to provide more information or even to download an app before your card is approved for use with Apple Pay.

You can follow these same steps on your Apple Watch to set up Apple Pay or just verify your information on your iPhone if your Watch is paired with it.

If you are adding a card to use Apple Pay on your iPad or Mac, open the Wallet app on your device. 

If you have a Mac with Touch ID, go to System Preferences and choose Wallet and Apple Pay. 

If you’re adding to an iPad, go to Settings and choose Wallet and Apple Pay.

Tap to add a card and follow the steps on the screen to continue

Follow the steps on your device’s screen to add your credit or debit card and verify the information with your bank or card issuer. 

You might be prompted for more information.

Is Apple Pay Secure?

One of the biggest concerns of Apple users is whether Apple Pay is safe and secure.

Due to those doubts, some people prefer to just use their credit or debit cards and avoid adding their card information to their iPhone or Apple Watch to make payments through Apple Pay. 

However, there’s no reason to worry about the safety and security of the feature.

Apple Pay is very secure thanks to the method Apple uses whenever your payment information is processed. 

You receive a unique code for payment processing, which means that your debit or credit card number is never shared. 

This results in your sensitive financial data remaining safe and secure.

If you’re worried that someone else might get hold of your card information or use Apple Pay if you lose your iPhone or Apple Watch, you can remotely lock your account. 

To do that, all you have to do is use the Find My iPhone or Find My Apple Watch feature on your Mac or other Apple device and choose “lost mode” This will automatically lock your Apple Pay account, keeping it safe.

Can You Use Apple Pay if Your Device’s Battery Depletes?

Although Apple Pay works perfectly fine without Internet access, you cannot use it if your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac has a dead battery. 

However, if your battery is low, it can still be used. 

For example, if you walk into a store to buy something and your iPhone suddenly dips down to 20% battery, as long as you avoid accessing Low Power Mode, you can make a quick purchase through Apple Pay.

How Can You Use Apple Pay Using an iPhone?

Apple Pay is easy to use and is most widely used on iPhones. 

When you are paying for items at a store that accepts the payment feature, all you need to do is wait for all your things to be rung up and then hold your iPhone over the payment reader.

Depending on which iPhone model you own, you can use Touch ID, Face ID or even just your passcode.

If you have an all-screen iPhone with Face ID and your face is somewhat obscured, you will have to type in your passcode to complete a payment with Apple Pay. 

In some places, if you’re traveling by public transit, you only need to have your device on your person to make a quick payment for fare on a bus or train.

There’s a nifty feature that lets you bypass Touch ID, Face ID or your passcode.

If you have ever worried that you need an Internet connection to use Apple Pay, you can rest easy. As long as you have a card stored in the wallet feature of your device, you can use Apple Pay without Wi-Fi or data to make purchases.