Apple Pay is set to launch in the Philippines in the third quarter of 2026. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has already cleared the service, saying Apple Pay is free to launch in the country anytime.
FinTech Alliance chairman Lito Villanueva confirmed the timeline, noting that the rollout was moved to Q3 to give banks and e-wallets more time to complete technical integration and merchant onboarding.
Visa Philippines also weighed in, adding that while Apple Pay is ready, the actual launch depends on the readiness of partner institutions.
Apple Pay lets iPhone and Apple Watch users make secure contactless payments. It uses tokenization, which replaces card details with unique digital codes, making transactions safer than traditional cards.
Google Pay debuted last year and is already gaining traction. It is being integrated into public transport systems, with tap-to-pay services expected on LRT lines later this year. Apple Pay is expected to follow a similar path once it goes live.
Also Read: GCash can now be connected to Google Pay: Here’s how to do it
The BSP has classified both Apple Pay and Google Pay as technology service providers, not payment system operators. This means they can operate without additional licenses, provided banks and merchants are ready to support them.
