Apple Pay not working when outside home

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Level 1

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Apple Pay not working when outside home

Dear All

Apple Pay with my iPhone 11 (iOS 18.4.1) has worked perfectly for multiple cards until around three weeks ago. Now it is fine at home, with wi-fi, for payments made using on the phone or Mac mini (Sequoia 15.4.1), but when out and about, with 4G, it does not work. When holding the phone next to the payment device, the screen shows the card (AmEx or one of two Mastercards), but not option to double click to authorise. I had swapped to an eSIM when on holiday and had the problem, but despite deleting the eSIM on return, the problem persists with my usual SIM (Lebara/Vodaphone).

Any help much appreciated.

Thank you.

Bill

iPhone 11, iOS 18

Posted on May 17, 2025 3:56 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,724 points

May 17, 2025 4:21 AM in response to wht1

Apple Pay does not use WiFi or cellular services when using the Tap-To-Pay feature at a merchant’s location. Apple Pay uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to communicate with merchant terminals. The SIM card used does not affect NFC and you can turn on Airplane mode and Apple Pay will still work.

Are you using Face ID and double clicking the Side Button (power button) to activate Apple Pay? Have you updated to iOS 18.5 released only a few days ago? Have you tried using Apple Pay at more than one merchant location?

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Answer 2

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,724 points

May 18, 2025 4:35 PM in response to wht1

Double clicking your iPhone is the first step. You have to double click the side button first, that activates Apple Pay. Once you double click you hold the iPhone to your Face and you’re verified. Once you see the green face and hear tone or vibration you immediately place the iPhone, where the symbol is on terminal, or where directed by the clerk. There is no second double click to authorize.

Maybe we’re saying the same thing, and if so you can ignore this comment.

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Answer 3

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,724 points

May 17, 2025 5:53 AM in response to wht1

You’re welcome!

The correct process is to hold the iPhone vertically and double click the Side button and verify with Face ID. Choose your preferred payment method and tap the merchant terminal when indicated or instructed by the clerk. When verifying, you should see a green smiley face top center of screen and you may hear a chime or feel a vibration. If all that is working, but the iPhone and terminal aren’t communicating, it could be an NFC hardware or antenna issue. Thick cases and metal on cases can interfere with the NFC signal. The signal only travels a few inches under the best conditions.

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Answer 4

wht1 Author

Level 1

12 points

May 17, 2025 5:08 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Hi Jeff and thanks for the explanation about how it works. 😊

I have always used the Side Button previously but I am no longer getting the on screen prompt to do that. It's happened at several merchant locations, awkwardly !

I will update to 18.5 and see if that resolves the problem. If not, I guess remove and then restore the cards to see if that helps ?

Bill

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Answer 5

wht1 Author

Level 1

12 points

May 17, 2025 12:49 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Thanks again Jeff.

What you describe is exactly how it was working (very well) until recently. Now when I try to pay, the screen shows me only part of what I used to see, namely the card, but on the right side of the screen, there is no option to double click to authorise. I don't know why that has gone, but it happens with each card and at multiple merchants (on holiday in Greece and now back in the UK).

I'll update the software and see if that fixes it.

If you have any other thoughts, I'm all ears and very grateful.

😊

Bill

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Apple Pay not working when outside home

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