Apple Pay is expected to debut in the Philippines in 2026, adding another major digital wallet to a market that is quickly adopting cashless payments. This follows the recent launch of Google Pay in the country on November 18, 2025.
Google Pay entered with seven partner banks and financial services: China Bank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank, and Wise. Since around 80% percent of Filipinos use Android phones, this gives Google a natural advantage. Apple Pay will rely on iPhone users, a smaller but influential group.
Both apps let people store debit and credit card details on their phones and pay without cash. They are built into devices and work only with their own operating systems.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ruled that Google Pay and Apple Pay do not need to register as payment service providers. These platforms function only as technology service providers, meaning they only enable transactions but do not directly handle or store funds.
According to BSP data, digital payments made up 57.4% of retail transactions in 2024. Moreover, nearly all government payments are already digital, with 97.2% processed electronically.
Also Read: Google Wallet launches in the Philippines
Industry watchers expect Apple Pay’s entry to heat up competition. With smartphone use among the highest in the world, the Philippines is a strong market for mobile wallets. Stay tuned for more updates.
