Everything you need to know about paying with Apple Pay in Malaysia for domestic and international transactions
Key takeaways
- Apple Pay is a contactless mobile payment service that lets iPhone, Apple Watch and other Apple device users store payment cards in the Wallet app In Malaysia, Apple Pay works with cards from most major banks, including Maybank, HSBC, RHB, Standard Chartered, AmBank and CIMB
- Apple Pay can be used anywhere contactless card payments are accepted, which covers most major retailers, food chains, petrol stations and shopping malls
- Apple has also launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in Malaysia, letting merchants accept contactless payments directly on an iPhone through supporting payment platforms
- Alternatives to Apple Pay in Malaysia include Google Wallet, ShopeePay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GrabPay and Boost, each with different strengths depending on how and where you spend.
For anyone with an iPhone, Apple Watch or other compatible Apple device in Malaysia, Apple Pay offers a way to pay in person or online without pulling out a physical card. It works at any contactless terminal that accepts the underlying card network, which now covers a large share of Malaysian retail. And with Apple’s recent launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone, the service also extends to merchants who want to accept card and mobile payments directly on their iPhone.
This guide walks through what Apple Pay is, which Malaysian banks and merchants support it, how to set it up, and what alternative digital wallets exist for shoppers and sellers who want more options.
Is Apple Pay available in Malaysia?
Yes. Apple Pay is available to users in Malaysia with a compatible Apple device and a supported card from a participating card issuer. The service works with iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac, and lets users pay in stores, in apps and on websites without entering card details each time.
More recently, Apple has expanded its presence in Malaysia by launching Tap to Pay on iPhone. This lets merchants accept contactless payments on an iPhone 11 or later, without a separate payment terminal.
Payments are accepted through supporting iOS apps from payment platforms, with ADAPTIS, Fiuu, HitPay, Stripe and Zoho named as the first payment platforms to bring the feature to their merchants.
Supported card networks for Tap to Pay on iPhone in Malaysia include American Express, JCB, Mastercard, MyDebit, UnionPay and Visa.¹
Which banks support Apple Pay in Malaysia?
Most major Malaysian banks support Apple Pay, with Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards typically compatible. Banks and card issuers supporting Apple Pay in Malaysia include Maybank, HSBC, RHB Bank Berhad, Standard Chartered, AmBank and CIMB.
Some banks in Malaysia do not yet support Apple Pay, so it is worth checking with your own bank before assuming your card can be added. Card compatibility can also vary by card type within the same bank, so a bank listed above may still have specific cards that are not enabled.
Where can Apple Pay be used in Malaysia?
Apple Pay works at any Malaysian merchant that accepts contactless card payments. The payment terminal does not need to specifically advertise Apple Pay support, because Apple Pay transactions are processed the same way as a contactless card tap.
In practical terms, Apple Pay is accepted at:
- Major supermarkets and grocery chains
- Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, KK Mart and 99 Speedmart
- Petrol stations including Petronas and Shell
- Pharmacies such as Guardian and Watsons
- Fast food and coffee chains including McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks
- Shopping malls with contactless payment terminals
- Ride-hailing services such as Grab
- Online retailers and apps that support Apple Pay at checkout²
Smaller independent shops, night markets, hawker stalls and older cafés may not have contactless terminals installed. In those cases, a physical card or cash is still needed.
How to set up Apple Pay on iPhone
To use Apple Pay, you need a compatible Apple device running the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or visionOS, a supported card from a participating issuer, an Apple Account signed in on the device, and Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or a passcode set on the device.⁴
Setting up Apple Pay takes a couple of minutes. The Wallet app is pre-installed on iPhone, so no additional download is needed.
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone
- Tap the plus sign (+) in the top right corner
- Select Debit or Credit Card from the options
- Add your card by either scanning it with your iPhone camera or entering the card details manually
- Verify the card with your bank, usually through an SMS one-time password. Some banks may require additional verification through their customer service line or app
Once verified, the card appears in your Wallet and is ready to use. Apple Pay lets you add multiple cards, with the first one added set as the default. The default card can be changed at any time by pressing and holding a card in the Wallet app and moving it to the front.
WorldFirst for businesses trading across borders
The World Account from WorldFirst is a multi-currency account built for businesses trading internationally. Malaysian businesses can open USD and MYR receiving accounts inside the World Account, receive USD payments from international clients and marketplaces, hold funds in the currency they were earned in, and send payments in USD, MYR or CNH. World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com, lets businesses pay Chinese suppliers directly in CNH.
FAQs
1. Does Apple Pay charge fees to use?
Apple does not charge any additional fees for using Apple Pay. Any fees applied are the same as those that would apply when using the underlying physical card, such as foreign transaction fees or interest charges from the card issuer.
2. Is Apple Pay accepted for online shopping in Malaysia?
Yes. Many Malaysian online retailers and apps support Apple Pay at checkout. Look for the Apple Pay button during the checkout flow, either in Safari on iPhone or in the retailer’s own iOS app.
3. Is Apple Pay secure?
As per Apple, transactions made using Tap to Pay on iPhone are encrypted. For personal Apple Pay use, payments are authorised through Face ID, Touch ID, Optic ID or a device passcode.
