With iOS 18.1, developers will be able to use Apple’s NFC and Secure Element (SE) APIs to enable a wide range of contactless transactions and functionalities within their apps. These include in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit fares, corporate badges and student IDs, home and hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, event tickets, and even future support for government IDs.
The new NFC and SE APIs will utilize the Secure Element, a certified on-device chip designed to store and protect sensitive data. Transactions will be authenticated using Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring a secure and private experience for users. The Secure Enclave within the iPhone will also be used to store sensitive information, further enhancing security.
Users will have the flexibility to initiate contactless transactions in various ways, either by opening the NFC-supported app directly or setting a specific app as their default contactless option. To incorporate these new NFC capabilities into their apps, developers must enter into a commercial agreement with Apple, request the necessary NFC and SE entitlement, and pay associated fees. This ensures that only authorized developers who meet regulatory and industry requirements can access the APIs.
