After updating to iOS 26, when I try to make contactless payments, the NFC app remains in a waiting state. It doesn't give any error messages, it just waits.
I contacted Apple Support, and they ran a remote hardware diagnosis and found no faulty components. They say it's software-related and I should wait for iOS 26.0.1, but I can't find anyone online with the same problem.
Is it possible they'll fix this problem with iOS 26.0.1?
iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 26
This fixed my issue:
It may be due to the fact that your cards are not fully verified in the app. Open up Wallet & Apple Pay section in your setting and double check if they are verified. Once you have them verified, double taps will work.
NFC is not used for Airdrop. Airdrop uses WiFi in a peer to peer network environment. If your NFC isn’t working you need to have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.
If you’re in the US, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
I am still having the same issue after updating to IOS 26.2(23C55)
The card is verified, I already re-add them all. Also did a full reset twice, even tried installing an IPSW from ipsw.me so that I can confirm that it is really a clean install
My theory is that since I install the IOS 26.0 during the first few hours it was available, I installed the RC version and I saw the news where IOS 26.0 release a new build number a few hours afterward. This has somehow corrupted my nfc drivers or some other stuff. Can anyone guide me on how to really do a clean install(like re-write all the kernel files, imagine like your iphone is bricked), the only way I know is the IPSW method which I tried
Another thing I wanted to test is rolling back to ios 18, but this seems like impossible due to it being unsigned already
If you’re in the US, please call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.
iOS 26.0.1 didn't help me resolve the Wallet app issues. I'm hoping for version 26.1 to be released soon and address the Wallet app problems in this version of iOS.
I'm having exactly the same problem here, I have an iPhone 15, since I updated to iOS 26 (26, not 26.0.1 in my case) I can no longer pay with the wallet, I bring the phone close to the reader and it stays in "Hold near reader".. would it be helpful to go to an Apple store?
Of course I do, the procedure since before the update has not changed :) Honestly I thought it was a hardware problem but then I thought about the last few days, and I remembered that the last time I used it it had iOS 18, and it worked perfectly
It extremely important when troubleshooting like this that you write each step or procedure your performing or we have no way of knowing your following the proper steps.
Does an error message display on the transaction terminal display or your devices display? If so, exactly what is the message?
What device and model and what iOS version are you using?
Apparently, something went awry with the NFC capability of my Iphone 16 promax and watch ultra 2 after the IOS and watch OS 26, I could no longer connect with my gym's treadmill and other NFC-enabled machines (particularly the matrix fitness and life fitness brands).
But shouldn't this apply to all iPhones? I was with a colleague these days and we did several tests. He was always able to pay with Apple Pay using an iPhone 13 and iOS 26.0.1. Then it was my turn, using the same POS terminals but with an iPhone 15 and iOS 26.0.1, and there was no way to get it to work. Nothing changed for him after updating to iOS 26, while Apple Pay no longer works for me.
Thanks JD (Jeff Donald). That did the trick and it now works properly. I would have thought that the installation of the new OS would have done that already, but apparently not. Thank you for your help and counsel.
There are three different NFC issues being discussed in this thread. None of which are related, but everyone to say me too rather than create their own thread and detail the challenges they are facing.
I’ll updated and that’s when all the problems began. Every website I go onto I have to push on it because it said it’s not allowed. I can’t use Apple Pay or my credit card. Apple did a diagnostic and said nothing was wrong. This is one of the places I’m trying to do that doesn’t work. Please help.
[Edited by Moderator]
I'm having the same problem. I've already restarted and reset my iPhone, and nothing.
Today it started working once, and now it's not working on contactless, either for payments or for registering cards.
Yes! I am having the exact same issue and ruled out all of the things you said, my wallet doesn’t respond at all to the pos machines, tried multiple stores, multiple cards, it just sits there saying Hold Near Reader, while never responding, ever since iOS 26 update.
I've given up trying to use Apple Pay. I ran self-diagnostics and everything came up green. Bought a new, thinner cover and since nothing changed, went back to my waterproof one. I love my 13 pro max and am not ready to buy a new phone just for the convenience of using my phone to make charges.
NFC Apple Pay not working on iOS 26