The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announces that Tap to Pay on iPhone will soon be available in Saudi Arabia. This announcement was made during the Money20/20 Middle East conference held in Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham from 14-16 September 2026.
Upon launch, the service will enable merchants to accept payments directly on compatible iPhones using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Merchants will be able to accept payments made with mada cards, other contactless-enabled cards, and digital wallets, by having customers hold their smart device or contactless card near the merchant’s iPhone, providing an advanced, secure, and flexible payment acceptance options.
This step reflects SAMA’s commitment to developing a robust digital payments infrastructure, including the national payment system and the Software Point of Sale (SoftPOS) service introduced in 2021. It also promotes advanced, secure digital payment solutions that meet international standards and local technical requirements for the national payments infrastructure.
The introduction of this service is part of a series of technological innovations aimed at meeting the needs of the Saudi market and enhancing the digital payment experience for users, further establishing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in fintech payments.
