Amazon shoppers still can’t use Apple Pay directly on the platform (either on Amazon.com or through the Amazon App). However, there are a few workarounds for using Apple Pay to fund your purchases if you’re willing to make some effort. Since Amazon does not support Apple Pay at checkout, the easiest solution is to add your Apple Card or any Apple Pay-linked payment methods to your Amazon account. While this doesn’t allow for direct use of Apple Pay, it enables many users to complete their purchases effectively.
To set up this payment option, users need to go to their Amazon account settings, navigate to the payment section, and add their Apple Card or other Apple Pay-linked cards as a payment method. Additionally, some third-party sellers on Amazon may accept Apple Pay, but this varies based on the individual seller’s preferences.
Another effective method is to use Apple Pay to buy Amazon gift cards. This is quite simple, though it may require a visit to a physical store that both accepts Apple Pay and sells Amazon gift cards. Fortunately, most major grocery stores typically offer both services. To use this method, simply go to the store, select the Amazon gift card of your desired amount, and pay for it using your Apple Pay account. Once you have the gift card, you can redeem it on your Amazon account to fund your purchases.
Does Amazon Accept Apple Pay?
The short answer is no, not directly. While Apple Pay is widely accepted across many online and in-store retailers, Amazon does not currently offer it as a direct payment option on their website or within their main shopping app. You won’t find the familiar Apple Pay button during the checkout process when buying directly from Amazon.
This means you can’t simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch or select Apple Pay from a list of payment methods to complete your Amazon purchase. There are a couple of workarounds we’ll discuss, but it’s important to understand that Amazon doesn’t have native Apple Pay integration.
It’s worth noting that some older information online might suggest that *some* third-party sellers on Amazon *might* accept Apple Pay through their own payment processors. However, this is not true about purchases on Amazon.com or via the Amazon App. This is referring to Amazon Pay for 3rd party merchants and is not likely what you are trying to do if you’re interested in buying directly on Amazon.com or via the App.
Apple Pay on Amazon Workarounds
It’s true that Amazon doesn’t directly support Apple Pay as a checkout option on their website or in their main app. However, there are a couple of workarounds you can use if you prefer to use Apple Pay for your Amazon purchases:
1. Add your Apple Card to your Amazon account:
- This is the most straightforward method. Your Apple Card works like any other credit card on Amazon.
- Open the Amazon app or website.
- Go to “Your Account” and then “Your Payments”.
- Add your Apple Card as a payment method by entering the card details.
- Now you can select your Apple Card at checkout.
Benefits:
- Easy to set up.
- You can still take advantage of any cashback or rewards offered by your Apple Card.
2. Use Apple Cash and transfer it to your bank account:
- You can transfer your Apple Cash balance to your linked bank account.
- Then, you can use your bank account or debit card associated with it to make purchases on Amazon.
Benefits:
- Allows you to use any Apple Cash you’ve received.
Limitations:
- Adds an extra step (transferring the money).
Important Note:
- While some older information online might suggest that individual third-party sellers on Amazon sometimes accept Apple Pay, this is very rare in practice. It’s not a reliable method for using Apple Pay on Amazon.
Even though you can’t directly use Apple Pay at Amazon checkout, these workarounds provide ways to still use your Apple Card or Apple Cash for your Amazon shopping.
Why doesn’t Amazon directly support Apple Pay?
Amazon’s decision not to accept Apple Pay primarily stems from competitive reasons, but there are also some technical limitations involved. Amazon promotes its own payment system, Amazon Pay, so integrating Apple Pay would essentially be aiding a competitor to its own disadvantage. What’s interesting is that Amazon does allow 3rd-party merchants who offer Amazon Pay to enable an Apple Pay option, but those are on sites that are not Amazon.com.
Apple charges merchants fees that are higher than the standard fees associated with credit card transactions or Amazon Pay, making it expensive for a company like Amazon to offer the payment option to their customers. Beyond just the financial reasons though, Apple Pay has strict privacy and compliance requirements that Amazon may not wish to follow as they collect a lot of information from their customers for use across all their platforms. While it is possible that Amazon may consider accepting Apple Pay in the future, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Key Takeaways
- Users can add Apple Cards and Apple Pay-linked payments to their Amazon account
- Amazon doesn’t directly support Apple Pay, but offers a workaround
- Third-party sellers on Amazon may support Apple Pay, depending on their preferences
Integrating Apple Pay with Amazon Shopping
Amazon doesn’t directly accept Apple Pay at checkout. Instead, users can link their Apple Pay card to their Amazon account. This method allows shoppers to use their Apple Pay-associated payment method for Amazon purchases.
To set this up:
- Add your Apple Pay card to your Amazon account
- Select this card during checkout
- Complete your purchase as usual
This approach works for various Amazon services, including:
- Regular item purchases
- Prime subscriptions
- Digital content
By using your Apple Pay-linked card, you still benefit from Apple Pay’s security features while shopping on Amazon. This integration enhances the shopping experience without changing Amazon’s existing payment system.
Adding an Apple Pay Card to Your Amazon Account
To use Apple Pay on Amazon, customers need to add their Apple Pay-linked card to their Amazon account. This process works for credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Cards. Users can complete these steps on Amazon’s website or mobile app.
- Log in to your Amazon account
- Navigate to “Your Payments” in the account settings
- Select “Add a credit or debit card”
- Enter the card details associated with Apple Pay
- Save the new payment method
After adding the card, it becomes available for future purchases. During checkout, simply select this card as the payment option. The process is quick and doesn’t require Face ID or Touch ID.
Some third-party sellers on Amazon may offer direct Apple Pay integration. This option varies by vendor and will appear at checkout if available.
For a seamless experience, users can set their Apple Pay card as the default payment method on Amazon. This eliminates the need to select it manually for each transaction.
Purchasing Amazon Gift Cards with Apple Pay
Apple Pay users can acquire Amazon gift cards at physical stores supporting this payment method. While not as direct as buying from Amazon, it offers an alternative route. Shoppers can select their desired gift card value and complete the transaction using their Apple device at the checkout.
This process combines the convenience of digital payment with the flexibility of Amazon’s gift card system.
Perks of the Apple Card for Amazon Shopping
The Apple Card offers notable advantages for Amazon purchases. Cardholders can earn up to 3% cash back on their Amazon orders. This reward system puts money back in users’ pockets with each transaction.
Tracking expenses becomes simpler. The Apple Card provides clear spending breakdowns. This feature helps users monitor their Amazon and other retail purchases easily.
The card also boasts zero annual fees. Late payment and foreign transaction fees are absent too. Shoppers can estimate interest costs by entering potential payment amounts. This tool aids in budget planning for Amazon sprees.
Constraints of Apple Pay Usage on Amazon
Apple Pay on Amazon has several restrictions. Users must input their card details manually, as the tap-to-pay feature is not supported. This extra step reduces convenience.
Benefits typically linked to Apple Pay transactions may not apply on Amazon. Discounts and rewards often available at other retailers might be absent.
Not all Amazon sellers accept Apple Pay. Buyers may need to search for vendors who support this payment method. This limits product choices for those who prefer using Apple Pay.
Other digital wallets like Masterpass and Visa Checkout face similar constraints on Amazon. The e-commerce giant prioritizes its own payment system, potentially affecting the seamless integration of third-party options.
