Does ApplePay work with handoff?

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Does ApplePay work with handoff?

I have read that ApplePay facilitates handoff, enabling users to initiate an ApplePay transaction on their Mac and subsequently complete it using their enrolled card on their iPhone. However, I encountered an issue where my Mac consistently attempted to initiate an ApplePay transaction independently, even if no card was enrolled on the Mac. Consequently, it prompted me to enroll a card on the Mac. Despite this, I never received any prompt or access to the ApplePay interface on my iPhone.

Is it still true that ApplePay functions seamlessly with handoff? I have confirmed that handoff is correctly configured on both devices (e.g., Safari is functioning properly). If the answer is affirmative, what additional steps should I take to ensure its functionality? Thank you for your assistance.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on May 28, 2025 4:06 PM

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Answer 1

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,790 points

May 28, 2025 11:35 PM in response to Steve304

The use of Apple Pay on a Mac requires the use if biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID). If your Mac does not have either of those features, you can still use Apple Pay. You start your purchase on the Mac and when the biometric authentication is required to confirm your purchase, your nearby iPhone’s biometric feature is used to authenticate and confirm the payment method, amount and complete the transaction.

The actual transaction, including merchant website, shopping cart etc. do not transfer to the iPhone. You cannot walk away from the Mac and edit the purchase or continue shopping on your iPhone. If it were true continuity, you could do all that. What you’re doing is utilizing a small subset of required Apple Pay services to complete a purchase on your Mac. This is only necessary because the Mac in question is lacking certain required security features.

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Answer 2

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,790 points

May 28, 2025 4:45 PM in response to Steve304

Apple Pay has never worked with Handoff. Did you per chance read something generated by AI? Lots of misinformation on the internet caused by AI.

Your Mac cannot initiate a transaction. You’ll need to provide some screenshots of what you’re experiencing. Please do not include any personal or financial information in your screenshots. This is a public discussion forum.

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Answer 3

Steve304 Author

Level 1

5 points

May 28, 2025 5:29 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Thanks Jeff, for responding my post.

In the iPhone settings under Wallet & Apple Pay, there is an option titled “Allow Payments on Mac.” This option can be toggled between enabled and disabled. The accompanying note reads, “Use Apple Pay on your iPhone to confirm payments on your nearby Mac.” I would appreciate your interpretation of this setting option and its potential implications.

I also refer to Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices - Apple Support

where it reads: "Use Apple Pay on your Mac to shop online, then complete your purchase using Apple Pay on your iPhone or Apple Watch".

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Answer 4

Steve304 Author

Level 1

5 points

May 29, 2025 8:18 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Thanks Jeff. That clarifies well.

So it looks that Apple never does the true continuity with regard to ApplePay - only user's consent obtained on iPhone.

"How to use Apple Pay online with third-party browsers

You can use Apple Pay to pay online using third-party browsers on Mac, PC, and other devices by scanning a code with your iPhone or iPad."

This is probably the closest to what I was imaging on ApplePay handoff :-)

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Answer 5

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,790 points

May 29, 2025 9:39 AM in response to Steve304

The merchant has to support the code scanning feature and to date, I’ve never stumbled across a site/merchant that uses the feature. Not saying they don’t exist, but in my experience they’re like unicorns. 😀

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Does ApplePay work with handoff?

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