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.
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.
You’ve had Apple do remote diagnostics on your iPhone? If so, what did it show?
Have you tried it at more than one merchant?
iOS 26.0.1 was released today. You might try updating your device.
Apple made some fundamental changes to NFC functionality and developers maybe slow to update their software and hardware to be compatible with changes.
Apple did some updates with the recently released iOS 26.0.1, so make sure your devices are updated.
Una volta fatto l’aggiornamento ad ios 26.0.1 ho riscontrato lo stesso problema
I am having the same issue - with retail Apple Pay via POS readers, and at EV charging stations. HOWEVER, I have no trouble using the NYC Transit system's OMNY-enabled turnstiles. So it doesn't seem to be NFC-related, since the turnstiles also use NFC.
Are you double clicking the Side Button (power button) to activate Apple Pay and authenticate you? If you’re just holding the device near the transaction terminal, it may not activate.
My watch (series 7) is at 26.0.2 and I had the same failure today. I double tap the side button and it just gives me a gray screen with no NFC activity detected by the reader. If I click the stem and select the wallet app, then select the card I want to use, it asks for a double tap of the side button to activate and then everything works as it did before. It looks to me like there were some changes made to WatchOS 26 that corrupted the "double tap the side button to activate the default card for NFC reading" process. This seems to me to be a bug that needs fixing soon.
iPhone 15 and iOS 26.0, there is no error message, the payment terminal waits for the card and after a while it times out, on the iPhone after double-clicking and facial recognition it remains on the "Hold Near Reader" message
Okay, I updated to version 26.0.1, tried several merchants, but it still doesn't work. If I use the diagnostics, it only offers phone support. I'm currently abroad, so I can't enter the correct country code. As soon as I get home, I'll contact support or go directly to the Apple Store and hope they can fix the problem.
Hi, I'm having exactly the same issue. Apple pay no response, certainly double press the right button to activate the apple pay app. But the card doesn't respond to the POS machine like before. This is not the 3rd party app but the apple pay APP. Not the bank issue as I tried two different cards. Not the NFC hardware issue as I also tried charging my cash card with other APP, NFC works. It's also not the POS machine issue, tried super market purchase, bus, vending machines, all no response from apple pay.
NFC is obviously working, but Express Pay and Apple Pay are separate. A lot of developers wanted access to the NFC API and Apple implemented fundamental changes. This seems to be effecting some applications and some fundamental processes. It’s entirely possible, it’s POS systems that need to be upgraded to be compliant with the changes. I’ll try to reach out to some of my contacts in that industry and see if they are experiencing issues with the release.
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
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?
NFC Apple Pay not working on iOS 26
