Apple will allow developers to integrate Apple Pay into Project Catalyst apps.
As spotted by developers who accessed the second beta of iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, it’s now possible to add support for Apple Pay within Catalyst apps on macOS Big Sur.
The new API was announced in the release notes of the new update, and the good news is that developers won’t need to overhaul their infrastructure to accept Apple Pay payments.
Apple Pay has been available on Safari on the Mac for a number of years, but this update marks the first time that developers can offer Apple Pay payments for one-off upgrades and monthly in-app subscriptions, bringing macOS in line with iOS and iPadOS, and giving Apple another revenue stream.
In the years to come, in-app payments could be restricted to Apple Pay only to increase security on the Mac, and to force developers into the Apple ecosystem.
Right now, many macOS apps can be downloaded outside of the Mac App Store and users are able to sign up for subscriptions or pay for one-off software through a variety of methods, including PayPal and their credit cards.
Some developers keep their apps away from the Mac App Store for this reason – so they can bypass Apple’s 30% cut of App Store revenues.
The news comes at a time when developers are being increasingly encouraged to port their iPad apps over to the Mac. Apple’s Project Catalyst is designed to offer a one-click transition from iPadOS to macOS, and in the long-term, this should see thousands of additional apps make its way to the Mac, further unifying Apple’s ecosystem and offering users more value.
Apple is currently testing macOS Big Sur with developers, and a public beta is expected to follow in the coming weeks. As for an official release date, macOS updates typically drop in September or October, so developers have plenty of time to add Apple Pay to their apps.
Are you pleased to hear that Apple Pay is coming to macOS apps? Let us know what you think on social media and check back soon for more news, every week on AppleMagazine.
