What is Apple Pay vs Apple Wallet? With the words Pay and Wallet interchangeably used by many payment service providers, it is little wonder that Apple users and people wanting to join its expansive ecosystem are wondering if they’re the same thing.

Close-up of two hands each holding a smartphone. One phone displays a transaction of $20 being sent, while the other phone, running iOS 18, shows the time as 9:41 with a customizable home screen and various icons. Both phones are held facing each other, indicating a digital transfer.

So if you’re considering leaving your physical cards at home, hoping to make a purchase at your favorite coffee shop, or cop the new iPhone 16 when it launches, these are all you need to know about Apple Pay and Wallet. 

The easiest way to remember how they differ is to think about the words themselves: pay and wallet. Pay, as in other payment providers like Google PAY, Samsung Pay, and even PayPal, is a contactless payment method provided by Apple and available on all iPhone models with biometric technology, that is, Face ID or Touch ID, bar the iPhone 5S. It can also be accessed using an Apple Watch, iPad, or MacBook.

Apple Pay
Apple Pay Integration With E-Commerce Websites

Apple Pay is significantly the most popular in this category, compared to Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Apple’s contactless payment method has over 60 million users, with customers choosing the service 48% of the time at physical/brick-and-mortar outlets or when shopping online. The security it affords users is the chief reason it is also popular for use at online outlets, with any online casino that accepts Apple Pay, a booking service, or an online store being the easy go-to for Apple users.

While Apple does have a credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs, it is not popular with most users. So, where exactly does Apple Pay draw your funds? This is where Apple Wallet makes its first impression.

An Apple Card by Goldman Sachs with the name "Marisa Robertson" is shown alongside an iPhone displaying the Apple Wallet app. The app reveals a balance of $1,682.55 and a payment due in six days. The card boasts a minimalist design with Apple's logo and a chip, enhancing both style and profitability.

When you think of Apple Wallet, just think of your physical wallet, but a digitalized, significantly safer version. You can store the same things you can store in your wallet in your Apple Wallet. Wallet, as it is more commonly called, can hold your business credentials, your government or student ID, event tickets, store cards, public transportation cards, coupons, resort and boarding passes, home and car keys, and, crucially, debit and credit cards for use on your Apple Pay. 

Aside from the convenience of not having to walk around with a bulge in your pocket holding a wallet that barely holds enough, using the Apple Wallet also offers added safety. The iCloud encrypts your card data when it is accessed for payments online and in physical stores. It also keeps an encrypted copy on the Apple servers, so you’re sure your personal and financial information is safe, even during a brute-force hack. 

Simply put, Apple Wallet is where you keep your cards and where Apple Pay accesses funds. This interconnectedness allows users to make payments faster and smoother than before and, crucially, safely. It is a testament to Apple’s insistence on a seamless customer experience and unwavering dedication to consumer protection.

ApplePay
Apple Pay Is A Mobile Payment And Digital Wallet Service By Apple Inc. That Allows Users To Make Payments In Person, In Ios Apps, And On The Web Using Safari.
About the Author

News content on AppleMagazine.com is produced by our editorial team and complements more in-depth editorials which you’ll find as part of our weekly publication. AppleMagazine.com provides a comprehensive daily reading experience, offering a wide view of the consumer technology landscape to ensure you're always in the know. Check back every weekday for more.

Editorial Team | Masthead – AppleMagazine Digital Publication