German Cooperative Banks Enable iPhone Payments Without Apple Pay - German banks bypass Apple Pay with direct iPhone NFC access under EU rules
German banking customers will soon pay with their iPhones without using Apple Pay. Three companies—IDnow, OLYMO, and SwissPass—have become the first to gain access to Apple’s NFC chip under new EU rules. This change follows the Digital Markets Act, which forces Apple to open its technology to third-party payment services.
The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) required Apple to allow outside developers to use its NFC interface for contactless payments. Until now, only Apple Pay could process such transactions on iPhones. The new rule aims to increase competition in digital payments.
The move marks a shift in how iPhone users in Germany handle contactless payments. Cooperative banks will no longer rely on Apple’s payment system, giving customers more choice. The change also sets a precedent for other European banks looking to reduce dependency on Apple Pay.
