Apple Pay is on track to finally arrive in the Philippines by 2026, as major banks begin preparing their systems for the service. The central bank has clarified that Apple Pay and other global digital wallets won’t need to register as payment operators since they don’t hold customer funds, removing a major hurdle for their rollout.
Local banks are now working on meeting technical requirements, particularly tokenization — a security process that replaces sensitive card information with a secure digital version stored on the user’s device. Bank executives say they aim to have their cards ready for tokenized transactions by 2026, aligning with Apple Pay’s expected launch window.
Once available, Apple Pay is expected to boost the country’s shift toward cashless and contactless transactions. The service will allow users to make secure payments using their iPhones or Apple Watches linked to debit, credit, or e-money accounts.
Its entry is seen as a significant step toward modernizing digital payments in the Philippines and giving users more convenient and secure options for everyday transactions.
